fbpx Learning and Teaching | Hills Grammar

Learning and Teaching

As a Pre-K to 12 school on one campus, Hills Grammar provides the unique opportunity for students to move smoothly from one stage to the next on the educational journey. 

Our whole school pedagogical statement, Deeper Water, Deeper Learning  is the result of extensive research, consultation and professional development of our teachers. Deeper Water, Deeper Learning informs the Hills Grammar community about our current approaches to Learning and Teaching, but also points the way to future innovations as the School strives to achieve its deeper purpose. 

The chapter headings of Deeper Water, Deeper Learning indicate some key themes and approaches to our work Pre K to 12.

  • Guided Inquiry – Developing Authentic Learners
  • Cultures of Thinking – Fostering Engagement with Ideas
  • Student Voice – Belonging and Agency
  • Connected Curriculum – Applying Knowledge to Dive Deeper
  • 21st Century Skills – Teaching Tomorrow’s Skills Today
  • Academic Rigour – High Expectations but Not Afraid to Fail
  • Collaborative Planning – Teachers as Designers of Learning
  • A Community of Learners – Connect, Collaborate, Contribute

Hills Grammar teachers use a unique Unit of Inquiry template that helps to embed these key themes in day-to-day practice in the classroom. For example, we embed thinking routines into our programs (“cultures of thinking”) and look for opportunities to bring parents, alumni and experts into our classrooms as additional voices (“community of learners”).

On each year group’s intranet page, parents can view the relevant Stage Handbook and for Senior Students the annual assessment grid. Links are also provided to ‘Scope and Sequence’ documents for all subjects and organisation of classes for the particular stage of learning.

Students in Year 7-10 all participate in the Hills Grammar Socratic Program. Class placements are decided during Term 4 based on a review of external academic test results and school-based reports. This information, along with the textbook requirements, are emailed to families in late November or early December.