The Hills School

The Hills School is a caring and supportive learning community providing quality educational programs for students with a diverse range of learning needs, from Kindergarten to Year 12. Our school caters for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The school enjoys strong support from the parent and wider community. Teachers display a passion for teaching and a strong desire to see students achieve their personal best, which is revealed in the many quality programs that are implemented at our school. Classroom teachers work closely with School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) to assist all students to reach their educational goals. The Hills School highly values parents and caregivers as partners in their child’s education. The school is privileged to have a number of supportive volunteers who assist in the implementation of important programs and initiatives. The Hills School enjoys the support of an active Parents and Citizens’ Association. The school motto “Towards Independence” is a guiding principle that is reflected in teaching and learning programs within the school. Displaying respect for all students is a hallmark of our approach. The school is situated in a lovely bushland setting, expanding over seven acres. The Hills School has specialised resources and facilities that enhance students’ level of participation and personal development. The school has a number of state of the art facilities including a heated indoor pool, an outdoor kitchen, a thriving vegetable patch, an outdoor learning space, a resource centre and a hall, as well as a number of attractive, well-resourced and engaging playgrounds. The physical layout of the school is specifically designed to maximise all students’ opportunity to access key locations, amenities and resources. The distinctive nature of our site and facilities and our ability to easily access a number of key locations in our community, allow for the curriculum to be implemented in a variety of locations beyond the traditional classroom. The school has invested heavily in technology which has resulted in all classes being fitted with an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) to support teaching and learning programs. The Hills School has a comprehensive technology policy and vision in place which will see an increase in the use of tablet devices to assist students with communication and other learning goals. The school has established links with partner Primary and High Schools and undertakes valuable initiatives with these partners including Student Leadership and Peer Support Programs. The Hills School encourages self-evaluation and ongoing review of processes and practices which ensures that we are innovative in our approach and are meeting the needs of students, staff and the wider school community. Some recent initiatives include our successful ‘Farm to Fork’ and ‘Communication Passport’ Programs. We have a proud tradition of promoting student participation in the arts through annual art shows, dance groups and participation in regional dance performances. Our school community promotes participation and inclusion through regular activities including parent support groups, Science and Education Weeks, sporting carnivals, parent information sessions, open days and special events. The core values of ‘Integrity’, ‘Excellence’, ‘Respect’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Cooperation’, ‘Participation’, ‘Care’, ‘Fairness’ and ‘Democracy’ underpin our daily practice. We have a strong focus on student Welfare and supporting students in meeting their individual needs. Our commitment and consistency in approach fosters a calm and positive learning environment. Student achievement is rewarded and widely celebrated. All students follow the NSW Board of Studies curriculum. Teachers work closely with parents, other professionals and key stakeholders to devise Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for each student. These IEPs ensure that students’ skills and ability in respective areas are recognised and built upon. The collaborative nature of student IEPs helps ensure a common key vision and approach to teaching and learning. The shared nature of this approach assists in maximising the learning potential of our students. Senior students are provided with extensive work education opportunities to assist them develop skills for beyond the school environment. Our highly skilled teachers and our inclusive, collaborative ethos have contributed to our success.