The Primary Years
The Hills Grammar School is committed to learning through inquiry. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program allows students to explore their world through a series of guided inquiries that enrich the curriculum and give students increasing responsibility and ownership over their learning. The transdisciplinary nature of the program increases collaboration across and between classroom and specialist subjects and enhances the learning experiences for all, whilst engendering a lifelong love of learning.
The Academic Program for Years 3 & 4
Years 3 and 4 present a large range of opportunities for students to model, compare, draw conclusions, describe, evaluate and begin to justify. They explore their world with more independence.
For many Year 3 students it is their first opportunity to participate in the Junior School Swimming Carnival, the Year Three to Twelve Athletics Carnival and the Cross Country Carnival. From each of these events students are selected to participate in representative competitions at higher levels.
Year 3 students participate in The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN is held over a three day period and assesses the areas of spelling, writing, grammar, punctuation, reading and numeracy.
Students in Year 4 explore a variety of interesting topics. They build on their knowledge of the first European settlers and the impact they had on the Australian environment and original inhabitants, investigate national parks, identify some properties of liquids, solids and gases and learn about their bodies and the major systems that keep us alive.
Year 4 continue to work on improving their literacy skills. They explore novels written by leading childrens’ authors and are encouraged to respond critically to these texts through discussions and written media.
The Academic Program for Years 5 & 6
In Years 5 and 6, students develop greater independence both academically and socially and are encouraged to view themselves as individuals within a global community.
In these grades, a greater emphasis is placed on the importance of the students’ own role in their learning. Teachers and students are engaged in a co-operative partnership where together they work to develop understanding. Students are encouraged to be active learners and to reflect on all the ways in which they are involved in learning during lessons and at home.
Year 5 students participate in The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN is held over a three day period and assesses the areas of spelling, writing, grammar, punctuation, reading and numeracy.
Year 6 students attend an overnight excursion to Canberra where they visit many of the sites and attractions, including Parliament House, to enrich their studies and understanding of Australian democracy.
In Years 5 and 6, students enjoy increased leadership responsibilities and are encouraged to display initiative and creativity as they participate and help organise events like the Junior School Disco, Book Fair, Grandparents and Friends Day and Open Day.
The Student Wellbeing Program
The Hills Grammar School provides a safe and supportive co-educational environment in which each student is encouraged to strive for excellence in scholarship, personal development and citizenship. Students are better able to achieve these outcomes when they are connected to a healthy, happy and safe community.
Our School's response to the educational, personal and social needs of its students acknowledges the need for a comprehensive whole school approach to student wellbeing and aims to:
- enhance the development of a school environment where children and young people feel safe, valued, engaged and purposeful
- deliver curriculum which provides students with opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop positive values, attitudes and behaviours
- provide access to structures designed to identify and support all students, in particular those students dealing with learning, social, emotional or wellbeing needs
- establish partnerships with parents and wellbeing specialists to ensure appropriate assessment and intervention is available to those who need it most
For further information, please view our Student Wellbeing brochure
The Co-curricular Program
The Co-curricular program at The Hills Grammar School is an integral part of the whole school curriculum. There are wonderful opportunities for students to develop their skills and interests across a broad range of activities including Sport, Creative and Spoken Arts, Music, Leadership and Service. These activities take place before school, during lunch and after school with further weekend commitments in some areas.
The central aim of the program is to broaden the development and interests of each student through the provision of a wide range of purposeful activities in Music, Sport, Leadership & Service and the Creative and Spoken Arts.
Aims of the program are:
- to foster and develop student leadership
- to encourage and develop co-operation, responsibility and ‘team’ work
- to develop a sense of belonging and school spirit
- to foster good rapport between staff, students and parents
- to inspire students to strive for excellence in all areas of endeavour
- to provide opportunities for parents, ex–parents and ex-students to contribute to the School
- to establish links with the wider community and develop relations with various groups
- to provide opportunities for students to achieve success in a diverse mix of interests.
