VLC Prospectus 2026

Prospectus

About the Virtual Learning Community

Hillcrest Christian College’s Virtual Learning Community (VLC) has reinvented traditional schooling. Established in 2023, the VLC offers students a flexible, innovative and personalised alternative to mainstream education, designed to suit the individual needs of families across

Taking the ‘distance’ out of Distance Education, the VLC is an online learning community with wellbeing at its heart. Our Pastoral Care programs, delivered through an intentional structure of daily Life Group (pastoral care) classes, regular in-person and online social events, values-based Christian education, and access to our College wellbeing team, means students and families are supported at every step of thelearningjourney,fromPrepthroughtoYear12.

Students in the Junior, Middle and Senior phases of schooling engage in daily online classes and virtual Help Desk tutorials with dedicated teachers, while also completing independent tasks in flexible learningtimeacrosstheweek.

Embedding the Australian Curriculum into realworld, integrated projects, the VLC aims to equip students with the skills and competencies to thrive in an ever-changing world, built on strong foundationsofliteracyandnumeracy.

About Hillcrest Christian College

Hillcrest Christian College is a private, interdenominational, co-educational, day school for Pre-Kindy to Year 12. Our on-campus students are situated at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and our virtual campus is opentoanystudentswithinQueensland.

Hillcrestcatersforvirtual,domesticand internationalstudentsenrollingfromPreKindy through to Year 12. Hillcrest’s founding mission was to provide a holistic Christian education to students of the Gold Coast. Hillcrest continues to operate and teach with this mission, and its vision and values are all underpinned by a Biblical world view.

HillcrestismuchmorethanjustaCollegeand offers a nurturing environment that upholds our motto of ‘Excellence in Christ’. Our exceptional Christian teachers are committed to providing the best possible educational experience as they strive to educate, equip, empower and energise eachchild.

Vision, mission & values

Vision

To aspire, as an outreach of Reedy Creek Baptist Church and Queensland Baptists, to facilitate a world leading, future-focused educational experience; underpinned by a Biblical worldview.

Mission

Hillcrest Christian College teachers and staff create a positive and caring environment to deliver young people to society who are:

Educated and prepared for success in their personal, professional and spiritual life.

Equipped with the knowledge to discern what is good, the skills to demonstrate self-discipline and integrity and the spirit to live with compassion.

Empowered to commit themselves to action, for a better society.

Energised to live the truth of the gospel of Jesus in the service of God.

Values

The values we have at Hillcrest are an important part of our culture and are woven into all aspects of our educational model.

Integrity

I do what is right even when no one is looking

Service

I look to serve others in the community

Respect

I treat others the way I wish to be treated

Courage

I stand up for others and what is right

Humility

I admit my mistakes and learn

Diligence

I am prepared for and work productively in class

Discernment

I ask myself, 'Is this a wise decision?'

Educational Model

The ability to reason, solve problems and demonstrate knowledge of a specified subject or discipline in various situations.

Growing in understanding and leadership of mental and physical health and how to balance the domains to overall wellbeing.

Identifying one's God-given purpose and living a values-driven life.

Exhibiting Social Emotional Learning skills in response to one’s environment.

Applying the skills needed to be effective in one's changing environment. Wellbeing

Learning Communities

The VLC operates under three distinct learning phases

Junior Virtual Learning Community Prep-Year 4

Each year in the Junior VLC, students are placed in a class with a dedicated teacher for supported learning. Specialist subjects such as Music, Visual Art, French and HPE are taught by specialist teachers in weekly, live classes.

Middle Virtual Learning Community

Years 5-8

A dedicated teacher supports students in Life Group (pastoral care class), as well as in their core subject areas. Students also participate in live Specialist lessons such as Music, Visual Art, French, HPE and Technologies.

Senior Virtual Learning Community

Years 9-12

Students in Senior VLC benefit from teachers with specific subject knowledge and experience in each of their chosen subjects. In Years 9 and 10, students study core and elective subjects from the Australian Curriculum, while students in Years 11 and 12 can choose from a range of subject options as they work towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), and if desired, an ATAR. Our Pathways team can also discuss other options with you such as VET opportunities and accelerated subjects.

As students progress through the different 'Phases of Learning', they require different styles of learning to maximise their growth.

As a College we recognise that wellbeing incorporates the spiritual, social, emotional, academic and physical components of each individual student.

All students are unique in their strengths and areas of development and subsequently have a diverse range of learning needs. Hillcrest Christian College understands that partnering with staff, students and families is critical to student success.

At Hillcrest Christian College, student wellbeing is achieved through integrating evidenced-based practices into a dedicated, planned and coordinated series of Pastoral, Curricular, CoCurricular and student-led programs.

College Shield

The shield is a symbolic representation of the College's mission, vision, values, elements and phases of learning.

Junior Virtual Learning Community

Prep - Year 4

Every child has been uniquely and wonderfully made, with the potential to succeed in their personal pursuits, and impact our ever-changing world. We believechildrenhaveafargreatercapacity to learn and succeed if their personal interests and strengths are identified, and they are equipped with the skills required tofulfiltheirGod-givenpurpose.

Learning comes to life in the Junior VLC (Prep-Year 4), as children embark on a journeythroughGuidedLearning.

A strong start for little learners...

Guided Learning

Junior VLC blends a model of explicit instruction and ‘hands-on’ activities to engage children in their learning, as they develop knowledge and explore key foundational skills.

Core class teachers focus on the subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS), Health, Technologies and the Arts, through integrated and engaging units of work. A large emphasis is placed on our ‘I Love Reading’ (ILR) program, to promote a love of reading and strong literacy skills.

Specialist teachers give students opportunities to explore Music, Visual Art, Physical Education (PE) and French.

Guided learning leads children to increased autonomy, as confident learners who have knowledge and skills to embrace an everchanging world. It helps to develop greater independence, which prepares them to transition into our Middle VLC.

The College Values (Integrity, Respect, Courage, Service, Humility, Diligence and Discernment) are woven into the fabric of the Junior VLC. Students outworking these values are encouraged to nominate themselves as student leaders throughout the year.

I Love Reading (ILR)

The ILR program uses a unique colour and number system to identify the key phonetic sounds in the English language. Through the application of the English Phonetic Code, early readers are given an effective tool to decode texts, allowing them to read at an accelerated rate.

ILR is not just about learning to read, but reading to learn. The program assists educators to design learning conditions that stimulate a desire to read, write and speak. Students are trained to manage their own learning, work harmoniously with others, and creatively solve problems.

For more information on ILR, visit www.ilr.com.au

SECRET Skills (Self-Manager, Effective Participator, Creative Thinker, Reflective Learner, Enquirer, Team Worker) are integrated into the planning of Design-Centred Learning (DCL) projects in Junior VLC, creating meaningful, interactive, innovative and engaging units of work.

Middle Virtual Learning Community

Years 5 - 8

Middle VLC guides students with ageappropriate learning that values personal interests and strengths, while supporting their social and emotional wellbeing. This phase of learning is founded on middle schooling philosophy, based on building relationships and student engagement, while focusing on preparing future-focused learners who understand the power of embracingandsharingGod’slove.

Building independent learners for the future...

At a stage where students undergo many physical, social and emotional changes, students require a focused approach to meet their specific needs. Middle VLC addresses these needs by supporting student learning through five domains that engage the whole child. These include:

Wellbeing – Physical, social and mental health, student agency, connection with others

Intellectual – Design-Centred Learning, academic programs, literacy and numeracy

Global – Innovation, SECRET Skills (Self-Manager, Effective Participator, Creative Thinker, Reflective Learner, Enquirer, Team Worker), real-world learning

Emotional – Understanding of self, relationships, positive behaviours

Spiritual – Service to others, student leadership, identity in Christ, values

Design-Centred Learning (DCL)

Learning in Middle VLC is largely delivered in a Design-Centred approach. This is a way of learning whereby students engage in realworld, integrated projects that include an authentic audience, a celebration of learning, student choice and engaging students' and teachers' passion for learning. At a stage where students are forming their own identity and discovering their place in the world, DCL allows them to explore what impacts they can personally have on the world around them, both locally and globally.

Senior Virtual Learning Community

Years 9 - 12

Our Senior VLC is the final phase of learning at Hillcrest for students in Years 9-12. It is a time of significant emotional and physical growth, and a time when a student's identity begins to take a more defined form as they approach maturity and adulthood.

Tailored pathways for excellence...

Our Senior VLC is the final phase of learning at Hillcrest for students in Years 9-12. It is a time of significant emotional and physical growth, and a time when a student's identity begins to take a more defined form as they approach maturity and adulthood.

Students are guided through the art of goal-setting, and meeting the higher expectations of independence, responsibility, self-motivation and self-discipline. We provide Senior VLC students with many opportunities to explore their personal strengths and interests, while preparing them for life beyond our College.

Student Driven Pathways

All students study the Australian Curriculum in Years 9 and 10. In Years 11 and 12, students study from a range of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) General and Applied subjects and courses that count towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and, if chosen, an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

The Virtual Learning Community aims to provide offerings to enable students to choose their desired pathway, and offers an extensive range of choices. This flexibility fosters personal interests and strengths, and combined with staff support, provides the necessary roadmap to drive students towards their future goals - whether they are headed for further education, training, an apprenticeship, or straight into the workforce. Our goal is to help students find a pathway to success in a way that is meaningful to them.

Personalised Learning

In the Virtual Learning Community, we recognise that learning should not be a ‘one-size-fits-all' approach. Each VLC student is given their own Individual Learning Profile (ILP), which recognises their unique circumstances, strengths, and learning needs.

Gifted and Talented Learning Support

At Hillcrest Christian College, we understand that highly gifted students have the capacity for higher-level learning and thought, and require a more challenging academic curriculum. We offer Gifted and Talented programs in our Junior and Middle VLC, as well as enrichment programs in our Senior VLC. Our full-time Lumos program is offered to suitable students in Years 3-8. As students select their senior pathways, in some cases they may be eligible to study subjects or electives in higher year levels, according to their talents and study pathway.

The early identification of learning needs is fundamental to implementing a successful strategy of support. Our VLC Learning Support staff work closely with families to develop a program to allow each child to flourish, within their own capabilities.

Tutoring Program Academic Enrichment

Middle and Senior VLC students can access oncampus and online tutoring options, provided by past students of the College. This is a free service that operates online and on-campus, during scheduled lunch breaks and after school.

Tutoring programs from external providers are also available on a user-pays basis.

There are many opportunities for students to participate in academic enrichment events. These include, but are not limited to:

Overseas tours

World Scholars Cup

Da Vinci Decathlon

Ethics Olympiad

Model United Nations

Write a Book in a Day

Readers’ Cup

Science and Engineering Challenge

Griffith S.P.A.S.E project

College Services

Uniform Shop

Our onsite Uniform Shop is open Monday - Friday from 7.30am - 9.15am, during term time. Extended hours are available before the start of Term 1 each year. Additionally, purchases can also be made online.

Resource Centre (Library)

Our Resource Centre provides an important service to our students and our wider College community. Staffed by friendly and supportive librarians, The Resource Centre operates from several locations across the College campus and offers a comprehensive array of library services in our modern, bright and well-equipped facilities, which include:

• Glass learning pods

• Years 10 -12 mezzanine study space

• Bus Library - A decommissioned Hillcrest school bus was relocated to the site at the Castle, fully renovated and fitted with books and other literature, and comfortable reading spaces for our Prep - Year 2 students to enjoy.

Co-Curricular Activities

VLC students who live close to our Reedy Creek campus are welcome to participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities offered at the College. Some events will be combined with our on-campus students, and others will be specifically for VLC students, to further build community and relationships.

VLC Events

Each term, the VLC hosts Enrichment and Social Days, providing academic and social-emotional development opportunities across all year levels.

Enrichment days are held at our Reedy Creek and Coolangatta campuses, and allow students to participate in curriculum-based activities that are more effective when delivered in a face-to-face environment; for example, team sports, Drama and Dance workshops, Science experiments, Design and Digital Technologies activities.

Social events take place each term in both face-toface and online formats, giving students the opportunity to catch up for fun. Activities may include things like bowling, picnics in the park, trampolining, mini-golf, trivia nights, online games or rock-climbing.

VLC students from Year 5 and up also have the opportunity to attend a yearly camp.

Sport Performing Arts

Hillcrest Knights are a talented group of students across the College, who take to the fields, courts, pools and tracks to represent Hillcrest with outstanding sportsmanship and character. Sporting teams include:

• Basketball

• AFL

• Futsal

• Netball

• Mountain biking

• Athletics

• Club sport affiliations (Knights Netball, HEAT Basketball affiliation, AFL Club affiliation)

• Equestrian

• Gala Days

• Inter School Sports (Yrs 5-6)

• NFL Flag (Yrs 5-6)

On-campus sporting facilities include:

• Two indoor sports complexes

• Two covered, outdoor multi-use sports courts

• Sports oval

Enrichment

Chess – Students from Years 2-12 have the opportunity to enter inter-school chess competitions throughout the year.

Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards are offered for students 14 and older.

Kokoda Challenge – Joining the Gold Coast Schools event, 30km, 48km and 96km Kokoda Teams are available for Years 10-12.

eSports – Students can enter inter-school eSports competitions, run by the FUSE Cup. This is available to Years 5-12 students.

This is a dynamic and diverse department of staff and students, who are passionate about what they do. Students can participate in an exciting variety of Performing Arts curricular and cocurricular programs across the scope of Music, Drama and Dance. Our facilities include:

• 260-seat fully-equipped performance theatre

• Two dance studios with barres and sprung floors

• A blackbox acting theatre

• Music, Dance and Drama studios with practice rooms and recording facilities

• Undercover Terrace Hall seating 600

Choral Program

Our renowned Performing Arts program features 14 choirs, with specialist vocal and choral staff. Within the Choral program, we have four Excellence Choirs who have represented the College locally, nationally and internationally.

Instrumental Program

Our Instrumental program has over 320 musicians from Prep-Year 12, and Year 4 strings / Year 5 band programs are run as part of our general curriculum to give every student a foundational understanding of music. Students can also access private tuition from our team of highly accomplished instrumental tutors.

Drama

The Drama program is designed to build confidence and to suit the student’s specific needs, abilities and interests. All Junior VLC Speech and Drama students are encouraged to participate in Festivals and Eisteddfods. Students in Year 4 and above can sit for AMEB Examinations in Voice and Communication or Drama and Performance.

Dance

Hillcrest Dance Academy, in partnership with the Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA), offers instruction in all forms of dance and is run after school during the term.

Enrolment & Next Steps

Ready to Enrol?

Enrolment Process

Choosing a school can be a daunting and challenging experience, and we are here to assist you during your research. Our intention is to help you find the right school for your child/ren. Feel free to email our VLC Enrolments Teams at hellovlc@hillcrest.qld.edu.au

To begin your journey in the Virtual Learning Community, please visit our website (https://virtual.hillcrest.qld.edu.au) to access the application form, fee calculator and further information.

Book a Virtual Parent Tour

If you would like more information on joining the Virtual Learning Community, we strongly encourage you to join us on a Virtual Parent Tour. A Virtual Tour gives you the opportunity to find out from VLC leadership about the day-today experiences of students and families in the VLC, as well as being able to ask questions specific to your family’s circumstances.

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Find out more:

https://virtual.hillcrest.qld.edu.au/ Enquire now: https://virtual.hillcrest.qld.edu.au/contact