Years 11 & 12

Students face significant personal and academic challenges as they commence their final two years of formal schooling.  These years are a test of character as students strive with courage and determination to develop rigorous and disciplined study habits, resilience to overcome setbacks, and the consistency required to achieve to their full academic potential at the Higher School Certificate. Students understand the importance of the final two years of study, and the opportunities for further study and/or employment that they create during this time.

Continuing within a caring and supportive environment, the primary focus is the academic program and the series of demanding assessment tasks which culminate in the Higher School Certificate examinations. Students work with experienced and highly qualified teachers who want to see them embrace and enjoy the higher levels of learning to which they are now exposed. Teachers have very high expectations, both in terms of the level at which students must be thinking and in terms of the amount of work they should be doing. As students become accustomed to greater demands, as they practise more and extend themselves to work harder, they find themselves developing intellectually and able to meet these demands more easily.

Academic Program

In Years 11 and 12 the only compulsory study is a course in English. Senior students can choose from a range of subjects and courses, including:

English (all levels up to Extension 2 (HSC only)); Mathematics (all levels up to Extension 2 (HSC only)); Languages (Continuers courses in French, German, Japanese, and Latin); Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Business Studies; Economics; Legal Studies; Ancient History; Modern History; Geography; History Extension (HSC only); Visual Arts; Music 1; Music 2; Music Extension (HSC only); Drama; Personal Development, Health & Physical Education; Design and Technology; Information Processes and Technology; Industrial Technology (Timber); Information Technology (VET) and Hospitality (VET).

In Year 11, students can also opt to study 1 unit courses including Sport, Lifestyle and Recreational Studies, and Visual Design.

Students with special needs may make use of the Board of Studies’ Disability Provisions for examinations, and/or the “Pathways” initiative which enables them to accumulate their HSC over a number of years.

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.