Hillbrook Anglican School

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Hillbrook Anglican School is a co-educational, Anglican independent school, in Brisbane, Australia. The school is one of the few Anglican schools in Brisbane which specialises in high school education only.

Hillbrook's Logo

[edit] History

Hillbrook was founded on 31st May, 1986. It was located on the grounds of an ex Anglican Boys Home, the buildings for which would become the basis of the school's initial facilities. The school was founded by co-principals, rather than an individual. The motto for the school, 'In Balance We Grow' was based on the holistic vision of education held by the founding staff members. The expectation was that students would be encouraged to develop academically, physically, spiritually and personally.

The name, "Hillbrook" derives from the sloping site, and Kedron Brook, which runs along the base of the school's campus. The school's crest depicts these two aspects, along with a tree planted on the school's foundation day. A uniform was adopted, based on the school colours, red, white and blue.

The school officially opened its doors for the 1987 school year, providing for three classes of Year 8 students.

The school gradually increased its enrollments, adding a year level at a time. The first class of seniors graduated in 1991. Each year level now consists of four home classes, labeled by colour - red, white, blue or green.

The school's development has seen significant building activity, most significantly with the addition of a performing arts complex towards the end of 2003 (officially opening in 2004), and, in 2006, the Tree of life chapel, to co-inside with the 20 year anniversary of the opening of the school.

The school now has a typical enrollment of approximately 570 students from Year 8 to Year 12.

The school was started by a small group of people, including current headmaster Norm Hunter, and his wife Rae Hunter.

[edit] Curriculum

The school offers a curriculum based on the syllabi offered by the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA). It does not offer vocational education subjects. The school offers two languages, German and Japanese. Subjects peculiar to the school include PSD (Personal and Spiritual Development) and Global Studies (roughly equivalent to the QSA subject, Studies of Society and Environment, or SOSE).

The school has a significant Outdoor Education program, with students participating in a yearly camp and numerous activities throughout the year. These activities include: Rockclimbing, Canoeing, Various forms of Orienteering and a ropes course. The activities are designed to promote confidence and teamwork. The school does not participate in competitive team sports activities, although the school does compete against other Queensland Anglican Schools in cross-country running, athletics and swimming.

[edit] Co-curricular

Hillbrook offers a range of co-curricular activities. Typically these are offered in an arrangement known as 'Project Active' which emphasises fitness and the opportunity to engage in less mainstream activities. The school offers dramatic options in the form of biennial school musicals and more informally as part of a drama extension program. Productions have included "Away" (2006), "forget.me.never.after" (2006),"Grease" (2006)", The Insect Play" (2006), "The Crucible" (2005), "Pirates of Penzance" (2004), "Anything Goes" (2002) and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (2000), "The Mikado" (1998), "Sherwoodstock" (1995) and "Bugsy Malone" (1990).

[edit] Governance

Hillbrook is governed by a School Council, consisting of 11 members. 9 of these members are democratically elected, 4 from the parent body and 5 from the teaching staff. 1 representative is appointed by the Archbishop, and the Principal is an ex-officio member.

The school emphasises a comparatively flat leadership structure, but responsibility for the school's day to day running rests with the school leadership team, consisting of the principal, deputy principals (2) and business manager.

[edit] Student Bodies

Hillbrook has two major student groups. The first is the Student Representative Council. This is considered the major avenue for students to express views on matters of importance to them. A representative is appointed for each of the 20 classes in the school, with an executive being selected democratically from the Year 11 students. This executive holds office for a period of one year. The second is Green Justice, which is the school's environmental and humanitarian group.

[edit] External links

Hillbrook Anglican School official website

[edit] References

• O'Connor, Mike. "Testing times for a good educator," The Courier Mail (Australia), October 25, 2006. (Interview with Hillbrook's founding and current principal discussing the school's educational philosophy.)

• Hillbrook Anglican School website