The High School at SHCS is unique, with a focus on what students know and do, and also on the kind of people they are. We seek to educate students so that they can achieve academically, and develop a Christian moral and ethic in how they live as members of society. They are encouraged to develop their gifts and talents across a broad range of areas. The service program in Years 7 - 12 helps students to look beyond themselves as they develop their gifts and talents.
SHCS is a small, friendly school where students are encouraged to grow in wisdom and stature with increasing discernment as to what they believe, ultimately driving the life that they live.
Each Year of High School aims to see the students mature in character, academia and Christian outlook. As a result, the students' experiences in camps, mission trips and service programs increase, which demands more of the students in a nurturing environment. Students learn responsibility and accountability in an effort to develop compassion and wisdom. The smaller environment at SHCS allows students to interact closely with their teachers and avoids students "slipping through the cracks" as they may do in a larger school.
The school aims to settle students into good academic habits in order to fulfil Board of Studies Statements and Outcomes. The small class sizes in our senior school allow for personal tuition and skill development. The school motto "To Know God and Serve Him" is reflected in the academic emphasis and in the challenge for students to live as instruments of positive change.
All students are challenged through participation in the Australian Schools Competitions, fieldstudies and sporting carnivals.
Board of Studies School Certificate and HSC subjects also include extension courses for the academically gifted. Small class sizes and the latest facilities and resources provide an excellent environment.
Year 7 and 8 camps to the George's River and Sydney lead into the Year 9 Service Program that challenges students to serve others in Nursing Homes, Sheltered Workshops and Charity Organisations. Students test their group dynamics and personal fears as they explore the extensive cave system in Bungonia. Year 10 Mission Trips to small schools in the Bourke and Deniliquin regions build spiritual commitment and team spirit.
The senior leadership program aims to challenge all students to develop their leadership skills for use in and beyond school.
Pathways
Beyond The Classroom
All students are encouraged to think beyond the school gate and to extend themselves with other challenges. Many of our High School students are involved in exciting and rewarding activities. These include Gateway Challenge, school musical productions, leadership day with the NSW Governor, World Vision, Anglican Youth Works, writing and science competitions such as "SMH Young Writer of the Year" and public speaking including competitions organised by Rotary and Quota Club.
Junior High School incorporates Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. We see every student as an individual, uniquely created by God with a range of gifts and talents. In Junior High School we foster these gifts in practical ways that help and encourage each student to discover their own interests and talents. The Junior High School aims to develop an atmosphere of support and caring during this crucial adolescent period, fostering close relationships with teachers and students. The intimate nature of our school allows teachers to know each student individually, not only on an academic or sporting level but also relationally. Pastoral support is a high priority.
The important transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is carefully monitored with students receiving every form of encouragement and direction to help them cope with the changes in schooling and teenage pressures. Students begin Year 7 with limited understanding of how High School works, but are given time and support to develop their understanding.
Our teachers strive to take the students from the familiar to the unfamiliar, to encourage them to settle into good academic habits as preparation for later studies and to enable each student to develop the skills of "learning how to learn".
SHCS delights in working with students to develop their life skills for managing relationships and resolving issues through Biblical principles and finding their place in the world and society. Our school has a culture of acceptance and Encouragement, enabling students to participate fully in the opportunities provided, voice opinions and to move towards a high sense of self worth. The range of programs focus on the development of research skills, problem solving, working cooperatively and developing communication with active participation. These enable students to be reliable, motivated achievers and/or leaders regardless of their academic ability.
At the end of Year 10, SHCS students are well prepared for the School Certificate. Recent School Certificate results bear testimony to this with the students achieving above state average. Some students choose to leave at this stage and move on to employment or to continue their education at tertiary level. Others take the next step towards the HSC. Students are well prepared for either life beyond Southern Highlands Christian School or the challenge of senior studies.
Pastoral Care
We aim to provide an atmosphere of support and care during adolescence. A significant area of the students' development during this time is understanding the importance of being connected, of knowing where they fit in and of being accepted. Participation in what the school is, gives students ownership of their growth and who they want to be. Students may be dealing with many pressures at this stage of their development.
The high school seeks to enable them to continue the journey of understanding whom God has made them, how to value themselves and others, to see the plan that God has for their lives and to discover how they fit into the world. We endeavor to achieve this through our extensive personal development opportunities, such as our camping, service and mission programs.
Camping and Service Programs
The highlight of the year for many of the students is our camping and mission program. Year 7 enjoy their orientation camp, while Year 8 participate in a leadership challenge activity. Our Year 9 students take part in a self discovery outdoor education camp. There is also a wide selection of community support opportunities, which in the past have included fund-raising for numerous charities such as Bikes 4 Bibles, Angel Flight and Canteen. Students from Years 10 and 11 have the opportunity to be involved in our mission trips both in Australia, such as Bourke and Darwin, and every second year trips abroad, to places like Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Each Year in High School aims to see the students mature in character, academia and a Christian outlook on life. As a result, the students' experiences in camps, mission trips and service programs increase, which demands more of the student in a nurturing environment. Students learn responsibility and accountability, in an effort to learn compassion and wisdom. SHCS offers a wide range of camps and service programs and these may include:
Just Tucker
Morning Glory Camp at Wedderburn
Bikes 4 Bibles
Port Hacking Youth Works Camp
(for specific information on a particular camp, service or mission program please enquire at the School Office)
Camps Service and Mission
These may include:
Community Service Placement
Outdoor Education
"Walk the Line"
Bourke Mission Trip
SHCS believes in giving 'Life' to the curriculum through providing excursions and fieldstudy experiences that directly reflect the curriculum being studied. These outings are designed to enhance the students' understanding of the particular subject through first hand experience.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
It is our aim that each student from Years 9-12 can gain a Duke of Edinburgh Award. This is largely achieved by participating in the camping and service program. This is testimony to the extensive nature of this program.
Sport
Sport plays a significant role in the life of SHCS. Our High School students will encounter a number of sports during P.E and sports lessons. These may include but are not limited to:
Rugby Union/League
Netball
Soccer
Basketball
Hockey
Cricket
European Handball
Dance
Aussie Rules
The school enjoys intra as well as inter school gala days involving regional schools. Of course SHCS also holds its annual school Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country carnivals, providing opportunities for students of all abilities to be involved. Gifted sports students can represent their school by progressing to zone, state and CIS state level. Team sports vary depending on the season and student interest and may include Rugby Union, Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Cricket and Soccer.
Music and Drama (The Arts)
In Years 7 and 8, students work in wonderful facilities in both Visual Arts and Music where they are given hands on practical experiences, developing knowledge and skills that will lead them to further exploration and development in elective courses. Visual arts may include print making, landscape painting, sculpting using wire, pottery, drawing, installations and jewelry to name a few. In music lessons students are engaged in a wide range of playing, composing and listening activities both as individuals and in class ensembles. Students are encouraged to develop performance skills both in the class room and broader school community.
In Years 9 and 10 students can elect Music, Visual Arts or Drama to take through to School Certificate level. Performance evenings occur throughout the year for the students to showcase their achievement. These nights are great fun and are well supported by parents and peers.
Private Music Tutors
Private indivdual tuition is available from qualified, experienced tutors who visit the school.
Information and Communication Technology
At SHCS the range of technologies in use is expansive, and facilitates teaching and learning. Highlights include an extensive network, data projectors in most learning spaces, expert tuition, excellent HSC and SC results. The Online Learning and Management System allows students access to their files from anywhere in the school and certain files at home. SHCS teaches the ethical use of ICT so that students know how to act professionally in future studies or employment.
Curriculum - Years 7 and 8
English
Mathematics
Science
Geography
History
Languages other than English
Creative Arts
Biblical Studies
PDHPE
Sport
Curriculum - Years 9 and 10
The courses in Years 9 and 10 are aimed at preparing students for the School Certificate. Study is now based on a more formal or traditional model. Students continue to receive a high quality education.
Core Subjects
English
Maths
Science
History
Geography
Biblical Studies
PDHPE
Board of Studies Elective Subjects
Commerce
Drama
Food Technology
Industrial Technology (Timber)
Information and Software Technology
Music
Visual Arts
