PREP
“Sing to Him a new song; play skilfully, and shout for joy.” Psalm 33:3
We know that starting school is a major life transition for children and their families, which can be both exciting and challenging. Research highlights that when families, schools and communities work together in positive and collaborative ways, a child’s capacity to achieve their learning potential and wellbeing is significantly enhanced. As such, we regard open, positive communication and family involvement as key to our School’s vision and mission. We believe God has given parents/guardians the primary responsibility to raise their children, and our commitment is to support you in this task by providing your child/ren with a high-quality education centred in Christ.
With our high-quality ratios of child-to-educator in Prep, and consistency of the same educators every day, our aim is to help children settle in and develop a sense of security and belonging quickly, while practising their social skills, developing new friendships, meeting new challenges, building resilience and learning about the love of God.
In Prep, at SHCS, play is a very serious business! Our Preppies pretending to be a construction worker, a driver, tour guide or nurse is part of their everyday experiences. Guided by Mrs Harden and the rest of the Prep staff, the children are working out boundaries, creating, belonging, co-operating and negotiating – all while playing together. We, therefore, celebrate play, because it is a valuable way that children learn and develop.
It helps our children to not only navigate the world they live in, but to make sense of it as well. This cannot just be developed through direct verbal interaction with adults, it is honed through solo, parallel, imaginative, adult-directed and interactive opportunities of play. Children really need such opportunities within a warm, safe and nurturing environment, including adventures in nature, without restrictions on time or freedom to enable the harmonious development of their cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual abilities.
We align our learning strategies and programs with research and evidence-based practices, grounded in an understanding of children’s natural sense of awe and wonder. We aim to equip them through their journey of wondering, exploring, questioning, interacting, reflecting and praying.
The Australian Curriculum - Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework - provides the early childhood pedagogical link with a focus on play for our Prep educators to plan, document, analyse, assess, and report children’s learning in context and informs the development of a program for each child that enhances their individual approach to learning.
The Prep program provides consistent school-like daily routines and lessons. The students wear a school uniform, they pack their lunch and carry their backpack into class each day. Our Prep space is designed to stimulate children’s interest through exploration, creative play, group work, music, drama and problem solving focusing on communication, early numeracy and literacy, gross and fine motor skills, as well as scientific concepts. Additionally, children extend their creativity with a specialist teacher in Music.
Prep’s physical proximity to Junior School benefits the Transition to School Program by allowing easier access to school facilities as the year progresses. Visits to the SHCS Library, Junior School playground, Music room, Kindergarten classes and other areas of the larger School grounds, further enhance their learning opportunities and allow them to become very familiar with the SHCS environment before they begin Kindergarten.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
“But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Luke 15:16
In addition to Prep, Junior School comprises Kindergarten to Year 6. From the youngest to the oldest Junior School students, SHCS is a nurturing place to be, with a special family feel, working in partnership with families.
Children are immersed in the knowledge of the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His plan for our lives. Stimulating and nurturing each child’s uniqueness, we foster a love of learning in the early years of your child’s education. With a strong phonics approach, and a structured mathematics program incorporating hands-on activities, we encourage children to work at their own level. The children work both in class groups with their own highly qualified teacher, and in stage groups with a team of educators. They benefit from being exposed to the experience, gifts and talents of all teachers throughout Junior School. Students have the added benefit of having specialist sport and music teachers from Kindergarten - Year 6.
The early years of Junior School provide a fun environment for students to settle into the routine of school life, with a special family feel, working in partnership with parents/guardians in many ways throughout the School. We specifically appreciate the teamwork nature of this practice. Children are given a foundation in the knowledge, love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and His plan for their lives. From Years 3 - 6 of the Junior School, children are encouraged to take the next step in their development towards independence.
Our aim is for each student to learn who God is, about the world He has created, and about themselves and their place in His world. We support each student in the growth of their individual learning skills through instructional and cooperative educational programs. All are nurtured and have individual needs met as they take on the challenge of building on their skills and knowledge to achieve their personal best.
Our Junior School Faculty Curriculum encompasses all the requirements set by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority. Students are encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills and use these in service to God and others. Our Junior School children engage in a variety of activities that provide a solid foundation of academic, creative and social skills.
A significant part of growing and maturing is learning good social and emotional wellbeing skills. At SHCS, we have implemented a classroom resiliency program "You can Do it". This program offers practical strategies to help all young people overcome the complexity of their everyday lives and learn to bounce back when they experience sadness, difficulties, frustrations and hard times. The program explores topics related to; developing positive values, developing courage and strategies for bouncing back, looking at the bright side, managing emotions, relationship skills, humour as a coping tool, dealing with bullying and being successful. It also helps to promote a more positive, supportive, prosocial culture with a greater likelihood of students offering effective peer support. It is hoped that as children experience enhanced self-esteem and higher levels of emotional wellbeing, they will, in turn, show improved learning outcomes as a result.
Southern Highlands Christian School is a great place for your child/ren to grow!
HIGH SCHOOL
"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."” Psalms 139:14
High School is an exciting part of life with young people developing in so many ways, finding opportunities to build identity while fostering stronger relationships; tackling the difficult questions of life while building knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
At SHCS, we do this in a thoroughly Christian context, supporting families as they raise their teenagers, giving students a secure environment in which to learn and to be challenged in faith, service and academic development.
Our aim is to provide a diverse and rich mix of learning experiences that address the academic, spiritual and social needs of your child, in partnership with parents and caregivers. We, therefore, take into consideration all aspects of development and welfare as they move toward becoming adults.
Caring for Each Child
Caring for Each Child
Every student is part of a Pastoral Care morning meeting where encouragement, God’s word and common activities are shared. Year Advisors focus on the welfare of all students in their year group. Our two Chaplains actively assist students in their navigation of life’s journey in a Christian context, and all teachers care for individual students, providing academic and personal support whenever needed.
Working with Families
The family is integral in the education of their children. We partner with families in this great responsibility, providing strategic training for all stakeholders within our SHCS community.
Academic Health
A sound, positive culture of learning and academic achievement exists among staff and students. Our NAPLAN and HSC results remain strong and we are dedicated to continual improvement.
Biblical Studies
A core activity of our High School, Biblical Studies presents ‘salvation history’ and ‘covenant relationship’ so that the Bible is firmly understood; revealing the centrality of Jesus in history and in our lives.
Year 9 and 10 Electives
Electives provide an opportunity for students to extend their skills in areas of interest. We provide electives in Creative and Performing Arts, Technological & Applied Studies and PDHPE with offerings made in humanities, language and some external courses.
Language Studies
Japanese is currently taught in either Year 7 or in Year 8 with an elective option for Years 9 and 10. A variety of languages can also be studied for the HSC via distance education.
Extracurricular
All students are encouraged to be involved beyond the classroom. Art, vocal ensembles, orchestra, sports, competitions, additional service to others and many other options.
