Philosophy of Education
Hilliard Christian School is a Kindergarten to Year 10 School owned and operated by Seventh Day Adventist Schools (TAS) Pty.Ltd. and a member of the Adventist Education system. Adventist Education is a vital ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is committed to sharing God’s transforming love. This philosophy touches every aspect of our lives.
Hilliard students can expect to receive a Christ centred, holistic education that focuses on thespiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development of the child. A Hilliard graduate will leave Hilliard Christian School, with the keys to unlock the door to a future ready for the joy of service in this world and in the world to come.
Hilliard Christian School provides an education based on a world view that is derived from a living faith in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. Hilliard Christian School seeks to reveal Jesus and nurture all “...to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 CSB).
Ethical values, relationships and the exploration of knowledge at Hilliard Christian School are discovered and held by the establishment and maintenance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Values and character development are taught with intentionality and developmental awareness. Students engage in programmes to build conflict resolution skills and character development around the core values of Belonging, Integrity, Respect and Perseverance.
Hilliard Christian School supports the family unit and children’s first and most influential educators. God’s moral laws, and our shared kinship through God’s adoption of all who claim Him, provide a secure environment for the nurture and development of each child.
Relationships in the School are based on the fundamental values of a Christian family unit: selfless service, respect for authority, loving concern and nurture of each individual’s development and safety. Hilliard Christian school seeks to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills and experiences to empower them to be sensitive to and capable of addressing human needs.
Hilliard Christian School is a community that seeks excellence in the development and expression of each individual’s God given talents. It seeks to impart more than academic knowledge through a balanced development of the whole person: spiritually, mentally, socially and physically. It seeks to develop a life of faith in God and a respect for the dignity of all people. It seeks to guide\ students “to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other people’s thoughts” (White, E. Education, 1903)
Hilliard Christian School seeks to be a thriving, nurturing, learning community where Jesus iscentral, and where our students may become all that God intends them to be.
The learning journey for a Hilliard Christian School is primarily focussed on the core belief that we are here to Nurture for Today, provide Learning for Tomorrow and develop Character for Eternity
This journey commences with kindergarten and children progress through the years to Year 12, acquiring and utilising essential learning along the way to prepare them for a life “filled with the joy of service and for the higher joy of service in the world to come.” (E.G. White)
The Hilliard Kindergarten student commences learning through the Early Years Framework designed to provide a balanced approach to learning to develop and enhance children’s natural curiosity and spark a wonder of learning about the world around them.
The Primary years, Prep – Year 5, offer the children opportunities to engage through a balanced approach of Age-Appropriate pedagogies which provide opportunities to learn through the Australian Curriculum utilising Marzano’s New Art and Science of Teaching Framework.
The Encounter Adventist Curriculum is the newest innovation in Bible study utilized in Adventist schools. The curriculum is entirely Bible-based and was created collaboratively by Adventist pastors and teachers.
It implements a holistic approach to reading the Bible. Each Bible lesson utilizes all of the different values-based methods of learning so that students can fully grasp the Biblical truths. Additionally, it creates opportunities for young people to understand Bible doctrine and, most importantly, experience a relationship with God through its multi-learning approach.
Students progress to Junior Secondary in Year 6 where greater emphasis is placed upon developing positive and fruitful relationships with peers, teachers, family and the community. Students learn to work independently and cooperatively in a safe, nurturing environment. It is throughout these years that students start to carefully consider their aspirations beyond school, to consider their strengths and interests and are guided in their Pathway planning.
In Year 9 students enter Life Orientation, a learning for life programme designed to develop values such as independence, interdependence, persistence, resilience through a varied programme. This programme will include outdoor education, service learning, camping and personal development designed to enhance students’ readiness to move on to further study and career choice environments.
As students move into Senior Secondary, they continue to develop their knowledge and understanding through the Australian Curriculum in Year 10, whilst preparing for further study courses through their continued focus on Pathway Planning.
The learnings the Hilliard Graduates have gained throughout their Hilliard journey will be reflective of the values of Belonging, Integrity, Perseverance and Respect.
