The Virtual Learning Community at Hillcrest Christian College exists to provide a flexible, high-quality Christian education for students learning outside the traditional classroom. Through innovative online programs, personalised support, and a strong sense of connection, we empower students to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually—wherever they are.
Our program follows the innovative, research-based ‘SECRET Skills’ framework (Self-Manager, Effective Participator, Creative Thinker, Reflective Learner, Enquirer, Team Worker). This framework ensures every VLC student will complete their education, equipped with the skills they need to become lifelong learners, capable of adapting to an ever-changing world.
Students complete engaging and interactive modules. Unlike traditional subjects, these modules provide an integrated approach to learning, allowing students to make connections to the world around them. Students in many year levels can earn micro-credentials for unit completion.
Our platform enables students to establish authentic and meaningful connections with other students and staff. Unlike some distance education providers with large student to teacher ratios, our intentional class sizes provide students with an opportunity to network and create deeper peer relationships. On-campus social and enrichment opportunities mean local students can also meet up and strengthen online friendships.
We understand that some students may find it challenging to build meaningful connections when learning in a virtual environment. For this reason, we have implemented wellbeing initiatives that support students to create important relationships with other peers within the program.
We support our Junior VLC students to form a strong foundation of literacy and numeracy skills. Through our innovative I Love Reading (ILR) program, teachers take the complexity out of learning to read, so students can focus on reading to learn. With programs written and delivered by specialist and core teachers, Junior VLC students can access enriching, integrated and interactive at-home projects that showcase their emerging skills and abilities.
All core Australian Curriculum subjects are studied, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS), Technologies, The Arts, Languages, and Health and Physical Education (HPE). VLC students participate in Life Groups, where they form rich relationships in a non-academic, social environment to develop an essential feeling of belonging. Students also participate in Christian Living, online Gathering (Chapel) and Assemblies.
Our Middle VLC students are at the age of physical, emotional, social and spiritual change. We support our Middle VLC students to build on their foundational knowledge and skills by engaging in Design-Centred Learning (DCL) projects. These projects put them in the driver’s seat of their educational journey, investigating relevant issues, brainstorming and iterating solutions, creating action plans, and reflecting on possible impacts on the local and broader community.
All Australian Curriculum subjects are studied in our Middle VLC program. English and Mathematics are taught both in explicit Literacy and Numeracy blocks, and integrated into DCL projects with other subjects such as Science, HaSS, Technologies, Arts, and Health and Physical Education (HPE). Students also study an additional language.
Going beyond curriculum content, students in the Middle VLC focus on developing their SECRET Skills as they create a portfolio of evidence that showcases their growing skills. Students ‘deep dive’ into their learning, working towards earning micro-credentials for completion of units. Students also participate in Christian Living lessons, online Gathering (Chapel), Assemblies and Life Group. All Middle VLC students participate in a yearly camp as part of their curriculum program.
Senior VLC is the final phase of schooling, with a distinct focus on providing students with a foundation for post-school work and study options. It is a time when students’ identity begins to take a more defined form as they approach maturity and adulthood.
Students are guided through the art of goal-setting, and meeting the higher expectations of independence, responsibility, self-motivation and self-discipline. We provide Senior VLC students with opportunities to explore their personal interests and strengths, while preparing them for the next phase of learning and life beyond our College.
Across Years 9 and 10, students partake in core Australian Curriculum subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, and Health and Physical Education, as well as choosing from electives such as Visual Arts, French and Digital Technologies. In Years 11 and 12, the VLC provides a range of subjects leading to QCE eligibility, as well as ATAR and non-ATAR pathways. We facilitate students accessing VET courses as part of their pathway, such as Certificates or Diplomas.
All Senior students participate in Christian Living lessons, online Gathering (Chapel), Assemblies and Life Group. All Senior VLC students participate in a yearly camp.
"My children have both thrived within Hillcrest's VLC. The genuine care the staff hold for the children and their wellbeing has positively impacted our entire family. Hillcrest's model of teaching and the level of support available have allowed our children to learn in a way that benefits them far more than on-campus education has."
"We have really enjoyed the program at Hillcrest. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, they are all very responsive via email. My daughter has loved the feeling of being in a community, with people her age. I love that they have on campus days where the kids who are able to, can come in and meet up with each other. They also did a camp, which she really enjoyed. The classes are flexible and recorded to watch later and so far we have found it to be a great program for us."
"We’ve been part of Hillcrest Virtual Learning for three years, and it has been an incredible fit for our family. Our son, who is on the autism spectrum, is in a mixed Year 3/4 class, and the school has done a wonderful job of adapting work to his pace. I love that it gives us the freedom and control of homeschooling, while still providing the structure of the curriculum to keep him on track."
"This program has made a huge difference to my 10 year old who is from Vietnam, with English as his second language. The clear structure and patient guidance from the teachers have really helped my child not only learn the subjects well, but also grow in confidence with English. We are so grateful for the care and encouragement that has been shown."
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