CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE EDUCATION
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Jeff Davis
Executive Head of College - (Principal)
Joy Geyer
Head of Culture & Wellbeing
Dirk van Bruggen
Deputy Principal
Michael Collins
Curriculum Designer - VLC
Sarah Lim
SL Education
Session One
Future Focused
Session Two
Wellbeing
Session Three
Partnerships
Session Four
I Love Reading
Demonstration
I Love Reading
Welcome
Education has always been a vital element in shaping the society we live in today. As we reflect on the past, we recognise the profound changes that have occurred in the way education was approached and delivered. The evolution of education reflects the values and beliefs of the time and has adapted to meet the needs of different societies and generations. At this symposium, we will delve into adapting education to meet the future needs of our students. As we look ahead, we will recognise the next wave of technological changes which will impact education processes. There are many opportunities which lie before us including partnership, shared learning, professional collaboration, and the value of cultural friendships. We invite you to explore these essential aspects of education through our symposium presentations. Together, we will gain insight into how education has shaped our society and how we can adapt to meet future challenges and opportunities.
About Our College
Hillcrest Christian College is a private, interdenominational, co-educational, day school with approximately 1,800 students situated at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Hillcrest caters for virtual, domestic and international students enrolling from Prep through to Year 12. Hillcrest’s founding mission is to provide a holistic education. Our exceptional teachers are committed to providing the best possible educational experience as they strive to educate, equip, empower and energise each child.
Jeff Davis is the Executive Head of College at Hillcrest. He has worked for over 35 years in education and more than 20 years as a principal. Jeff’s passions include challenging current educational norms and driving change to provide an educational experience which is world leading.
With a focus on wellbeing and emotional intelligence at its core, Jeff aspires to prepare students for the world they will know and enrich. Jeff believes that learning is best achieved through developing the whole child with commitment to the four domains of Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual and Wellbeing, contextualised to the global context.
Virtual Learning Community
Our Virtual Learning Community (VLC) offers a flexible, innovative, and personalised alternative to mainstream education. Students in the Junior, Middle and Senior years of schooling are able to engage in daily online classes and virtual Help Desk tutorials with dedicated teachers, while also completing independent learning tasks in flexible learning time across the week. Embedding the Australian Curriculum into real-word, integrated projects, the VLC aims to equip students with the skills and competencies to thrive in an ever-changing world, built on strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.
CATERING TO FAMILIES’ LIFESTYLE
There are many reasons families choose to engage in a virtual learning program. Students who are competing at elite levels of sport often can’t commit to full-time attendance at a school campus, and need to be able to access their learning while they are on the move. Some families want to embark on interstate or international travel, and want continuity of a learning program for their children while they are away from home. The VLC provides ongoing education options for families, wherever they are, whenever they need access.
LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS
Every student in the VLC has their own story, and as such, each student has an Individual Learning Plan. Whether students need consolidation of foundational knowledge, adjustments to their learning program due to diagnosed needs, acceleration and expansion of content due to giftedness, or short-term modifications due to personal circumstances, VLC teachers work with each family to develop a plan that puts each child at the centre of their learning journey.
WELLBEING AT THE HEART
Daily online Life Group classes provides teachers and students with a regular touch point to focus on wellbeing, social-emotional skill development, relationship building, and service opportunities. With full access to our College counsellors, chaplaincy team and Wellbeing Hub, the VLC goes well beyond academics to provide an educational experience that supports the whole child.
Rise Program
VISION
The Rise Program is a strategic transition program for Year 9 students that aims to empower them with a better understanding of themselves, and their community. Based in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, the Rise Program focuses on personal growth, service to the community, and the development of entrepreneurial thinking. Ultimately, the Rise Program prepares students for success by equipping them with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
WHY THE NEED FOR CHANGE
Research shows that young adolescents undergo significant cognitive and emotional changes as they move out of the Middle Years, and the education system needs to be responsive to these changes. Furthermore, this age group is at a crucial stage in their learning and it is important that they receive an education that is engaging, relevant and challenging to ensure they are motivated to continue as life-long learners in our ever-changing world.
The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and globalised, and the education system needs to reflect this by providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a global context. This includes developing entrepreneurial skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as providing them with a broad understanding of different cultures and perspectives.
Sarah Lim
SL Education
BIOGRAPHY
Sarah migrated to Australia with her family in 1993. After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in Early Childhood Education, she went on to work as an English teacher in South Korea for several years. Sarah’s interest in the education industry, in particular, the international student market in Australia, led her to start an education consultancy business in 2007.
Over the last 16 years working as a consultant, Sarah has also completed her Graduate Certificate in Immigration Law and Practice, a Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Diploma of Training Design & Development. She has been practicing as a registered migration agent for over 16 years, specialising in partner, parent and skilled migration visas.
Hillcrest Christian College is partnering in providing opportunities in Korea with the possibility of expanding to other programs. Sarah Lim manages and operates the following business entities:
- SL Successful Life Pty Ltd in Australia
- SL Education and Training Centre in Australia
- SL Education established in Korea February 2023
- Australian Education and Visa Centre Pty Ltd (AEV Centre) in Australia QUALIFICATIONS B.HlthSc (BOND), GCert.AusMigrationLaw&Prac (Griff.), pending Juris Doctor (Bond), CertIV TESOL (SEA), DipTD (HBTA), MARN: 0701277.
LANGUAGES – English, Korean, Japanese
Session One
Future Focused
Session Two
Wellbeing
Session Three
Partnerships
Session Four
I Love Reading
Demonstration
I Love Reading
I Love Reading
Virtual learning Community
