In the heart of Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, the Year 9 RISE Program inspires middle school students through a transformative journey of self-discovery, community service, and entrepreneurial thinking. Our vision is to develop resilient, globally aware individuals who embrace collaboration, celebrate diversity, and take control of their learning path.
We believe leadership goes beyond personal growth—it involves giving back to the community.
Year 9 students participate in service projects that directly benefit Coolangatta, building empathy and active citizenship. Whether it's volunteering at local shelters, organising environmental clean-ups, or supporting community events, students gain real-world skills that foster leadership and compassion.
Through partnerships with Southern Cross University and the Coolangatta Surf Club, students experience unique academic and community engagement opportunities. These partnerships provide academic enrichment, water safety training, and hands-on learning, preparing students for high school and beyond. Together, we RISE.
In a fast-changing world, traditional education in Australia often struggles to prepare students for real-life success. With a senior curriculum focused on ATAR scores and standardised testing, key skills like emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving can be overlooked. Research shows that traits like grit, perseverance (Duckworth, 2007), and emotional intelligence (Goleman, 1995) are vital for success, yet they receive less attention in conventional schooling.
Educational experts like Sir Ken Robinson and organisations like the World Economic Forum agree that schools need to evolve. Future success requires more than academic results—students need critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and a stronger sense of personal identity. Recognising this, Hillcrest Christian College created the Year 9 RISE Program to address these gaps. Designed to foster real-world skills, creativity, and resilience, the program equips students for life beyond school, all while preparing them as future-ready learners in their senior years.
Ensuring students’ overall wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of personal development that education often overlooks. Providing a safe, secure, and supportive environment is crucial for fostering both intellectual and emotional growth. Without this foundation, students struggle to achieve their full potential and experience optimal learning.
Additionally, cultivating hope and resilience in students is essential for motivating them to pursue long-term goals. By nurturing a positive outlook and belief in their potential, education can encourage students to persist through challenges and setbacks. Balancing academic achievement with holistic development, including the exploration of personal values and purpose, is vital for reducing stress and promoting a more well-rounded approach to education. Engaging students in service activities and helping them develop a strong sense of identity further supports their personal growth and readiness for future challenges.
Crucial life skills such as communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence are critical for personal and professional success, yet they are frequently underemphasised in educational curricula. Students often lack opportunities to develop these skills, which are essential for navigating real-world challenges. Addressing this gap is crucial for preparing students for collaborative environments in both academic and professional settings.
Education must also focus on practical, real-world problem-solving by providing hands-on learning experiences and industry engagement. These experiences help students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Integrating soft skills development into the curriculum is essential for equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in life beyond the classroom.
The Rise Program at Hillcrest Christian College offers a holistic approach to addressing the developmental needs of Year 9 students. Located on our dedicated beachside campus in Coolangatta, the program empowers students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their community.
The Rise Program continues to build on the Junior & Middle Learning Community integration of Dan Buckley’s SECRET Skills framework, alongside a dedicated project-based curriculum and a focus on entrepreneurship. The SECRET Skills framework includes:
The Rise Program’s emphasis on these non-cognitive skills is complemented by its project-based curriculum and entrepreneurial focus, which help students apply their learning in real-world contexts. Supported by industry partners such as Southern Cross University, Coolangatta Surf Club, Green Heroes, and other organisations, students gain valuable experience and insights.
For example, partnerships with Southern Cross University expose students to higher education and research opportunities, while community engagement through the Coolangatta Surf Club, local kindergarten centres, social initiative charities, and Green Heroes fosters practical experiences and empathy.
The Tails of the Tides Project, in partnership with Kirra Dive and Green Heroes, provides students with real-world exposure to conservation, sustainability and marine biology efforts in our local region. Students engage in hands-on conservation work and create their own marine biology projects, tackling real-world investigations.
Student Experience:
Working in small teams, they produce multimodal reports in their chosen format, which are then displayed to the public. This initiative addresses several key educational needs: Better Preparation for Real-World Challenges by involving students in practical conservation work; Increased Industry and Entrepreneurial Engagement through collaboration with industry professionals; and Experiential Learning Opportunities by offering hands-on environmental education and field work. By participating and presenting their projects to families, peers, and the public, students develop hope and a sense of purpose through their contributions to environmental protection.
The Run Project combines mathematics with physical activity, fostering key soft skills such as teamwork, complex analysis and goal-setting. Students are actively encouraged to overcome personal fitness challenges, set stretch goals, and develop determination, resilience and fitness to accomplish their run challenge. They also engage in fundraising activities, with all proceeds supporting the Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club. This project addresses the need for Life skills development by enhancing teamwork and communication; grit and resilience through personal and collective goal achievement; and service by contributing to a community-focused initiative. Through these efforts, students gain a heightened sense of purpose and community contribution.
The Humans of Coolangatta Project involves students researching and creating mini-biographies of local figures, supporting their personal identity development through the exploration of others’ stories. This initiative allows students to enhance their Research Skills as they gather, analyse, and synthesise information from various sources. Through this process, they also develop Cultural Awareness by engaging with diverse local backgrounds and experiences. The project promotes Empathy and Perspective-Taking as students explore and reflect on the lives of different individuals.
In addition, students improve their Presentation Skills by organising and sharing their findings in a compelling format. They also gain experience in Project Management by working collaboratively, managing their time, and coordinating tasks within their teams. The culmination of the project is a public gallery exhibition, which honours both the individuals featured in the biographies and the students’ dedication to their work. This exhibition provides a platform for students to showcase their efforts and celebrate their learning journey, further enhancing their connection to the community and reinforcing their personal and social development.
Please find additional information and frequently asked questions.
The Year 9 RISE Program is located at:
Contact Hillcrest Christian College - Year 9 RISE
Phone: 07 5593 8274
Opening hours
Yes, support staff ensure students are engaged with learning or extension differentiation.
Students arrive at the normal College address of, 21 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek and take the College buses to and from the Coolangatta Campus. Various discussions, Life Group and other activities are undertaken during the bus journeys.
The Strand offers free parking for the first three hours in their underground carpark. Access to the carpark is on either Dutton Street or Warner Street. Please click here for a Google Maps link.
The RISE Program utilises the current Senior Sports Uniform as the main uniform for RISE due to the environment and active learning experiences.
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