About Hillcrest VLC
At Hillcrest Christian College, we understand that parents value choice and flexibility when it comes to their child’s education. The Virtual Learning Community (VLC) was founded with the core principles of providing families with an independent school option that creates an individual learning program tailored to your family’s schedule and child’s learning style.
An evolution of
distance education
Distance education programs have traditionally catered to students who have limited access to mainstream schooling, such as students living in regional or remote locations. Our VLC has adapted the benefits of distance education to offer all families a world-class, independent school education that can be completed at home.
Unlike homeschooling, where parents need to source, plan and assess student lessons, your family will have access to dedicated and trained staff to engage them in daily online classes, working through an innovative and future-focused curriculum.
Access the best
of both worlds
Hillcrest VLC combines online, timetabled classes, flexible learning activities and in-person enrichment and social opportunities, so you can choose how and when your child completes their schooling.
This combination of timetabled and non-timetabled learning caters perfectly to families looking for a more adaptable, customised educational program for their child.
Watch a video from one of our families
Introduction to Hillcrest VLC
Our Virtual Learning Community (VLC) gives your child the opportunity to complete their education in a flexible, tailored, online learning environment. As a registered and accredited distance education provider, Hillcrest Christian College can deliver the equivalent of a full-time, independent school education in a virtual setting.
Why Hillcrest Virtual Learning Community?
01Individual learning plans
A VLC education is customised specifically for each child. Students start by creating an individualised education plan. This plan outlines their specific needs and learning pathway, and is designed in consultation with teachers, students and parents. This plan is flexible, and can be adapted throughout their education journey.
02Full program offering
Our VLC delivers the full Australian Curriculum through a series of innovative, integrated, Design-Centred Learning (DCL) projects. We adapt our program for each student, providing them with a skills-based framework to equip and engage them in their learning.
03Your teacher — every day
Taking the ‘distance’ out of distance education, qualified and passionate VLC teachers run daily online classes to provide regular academic and relational support. Missed a day? Can’t do mornings? Not a problem — all sessions are recorded and available for students to watch at any time during the week.
04Face-to-face meetups
Our VLC holds regular on-campus enrichment and social events for students to meet up in person. We also welcome VLC students to take advantage of all the offerings of our Hillcrest Christian College home campus, from music and drama tutorials, sporting opportunities, after-school clubs and more. Some fees may apply.
05Wellbeing focus
With a focus on the whole child, a VLC education builds students’ emotional intelligence — equipping them with social-emotional, strategic and cognitive skills. Our chaplaincy and pastoral staff are available to students who need additional support from time to time.
06Mentoring
Our focus is beyond simply academics. Our teachers act as your child’s mentor and coach, guiding them through goal-setting processes to achieve their full potential.
07Seamless learning experience
Each child in our VLC is provided with a device and the software required to complete their education. Our friendly IT team is contactable during school hours to assist with tech support.
08Parents as partners
We view our VLC as a three-way collaboration between students, teachers and parents. We welcome parents to attend our regular online webinars to receive support and information while getting to know other VLC parents.
Explore Hillcrest’s
VLC program
We have designed our program to be flexible, with adaptable learning opportunities that suit your child’s needs and interests and your family’s schedule. Individual pathways allow for an educational journey that will equip them with the skills they need.
While this includes core literacy and numeracy skills, our program goes beyond the Australian Curriculum, supporting students to learn valuable life and enterprise skills — improving their social, emotional, strategic and cognitive development.
