Junior Learning Community

Welcome to our Junior Learning Community

Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision. We understand how daunting it can feel, you want a place where they will feel safe, supported, and inspired to thrive. At Hillcrest Christian College, our Junior Learning Community (JLC) is designed to be just that.

For children in Prep to Year 4, the JLC provides a nurturing environment where academic excellence meets personal growth.

Every child has been uniquely and wonderfully made, with the potential to succeed in their personal pursuits, and impact our ever-changing world. We believe children have a far greater capacity to learn and succeed if their personal interests and strengths are identified and they are then equipped with the skills required to fulfill their God-given purpose.

Guided Learning

Our classroom environment is innovative and unique, with modern spaces designed to maximise learning opportunities. In the JLC, guided learning blends a model of explicit instruction and active ‘hands-on’ learning to engage children, as they develop knowledge and explore key foundational skills.

Guided learning leads children to increasing independence and autonomy as confident learners who have knowledge and skills to embrace an ever-changing world and prepares them as they transition into our Middle Learning Community.

Class teachers focus on the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and the integration of technology into their teaching. A huge emphasis is placed on teaching students to read through our I Love Reading Program (ILR) to ensure students develop a love of reading.

Specialist teachers are responsible for teaching the range of subjects beyond the core curriculum. Each week they also participate in Physical Education, French and weekly choir.

Building Academic and Emotional Foundations

Children thrive when their emotional and natural curiosity needs are met. At the JLC, we combine explicit instruction with hands-on, guided learning to help your child develop:

Core Academic Skills: In subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, delivered through differentiated instruction to match individual learning styles.

Social and Emotional Skills: Using the Social Emotional Learning framework, children learn self-awareness, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.

SECRET Skills Framework: A unique program that builds creative thinkers, reflective learners, effective participants, enquirers and team workers.

Specialist classes in Music, Creative Arts, French, and Physical Education enrich your child’s learning experience, ensuring a well-rounded education.

A Learning Environment Designed to Inspire Wonder and Growth

A Purpose-Built Prep Precinct

Our dedicated Prep area provides a warm and nurturing transition, ensuring students feel safe and secure with a strong sense of belonging. This space includes:

Four spacious classes under a main canopy with breakout areas for group learning, creativity, and quiet reflection.
Outdoor learning spaces for painting, hands-on activities, and sensory exploration.
A large central deck, a hub for social play, featuring a balcony overlooking the lake, where ducks, frogs, and native wildlife bring learning to life.
With Castle-inspired architecture, reinforcing our Hillcrest SHIELD values and fostering imaginative play.

This carefully designed environment helps Prep students transition smoothly into school life, building confidence and independence from day one.

Purposeful Spaces for Years 1-2

As students progress, they move into learning spaces designed for age-appropriate independence and exploration:

The Year 1-2 Castle: A modern, nature-integrated space with lake views on one side and bushland on the other.
A new Nature Playground (opened 2024), fostering active, creative, and sensory play.
Hinterland pathways and outdoor learning spaces, where students explore native ecosystems, creeks, and bushland, bringing environmental studies to life.

Transition

Values & Skills Framework

The College values are woven into the fabric o the JLC. Certificates and awards are given to students who outwork the values: Integrity, Respect, Courage, Service, Humility, Diligence and Discernment.

The SECRET Skills are integrated into the planning of Design Centred Learning (DCL) projects in the JLC.

Academic

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 environments that stimulate a desire to read, write, and speak. Students are trained to manage their own learning, work harmoniously with others, and be creative problem solvers.