.png)
Tour 1: Middle Learning Community at Hillcrest Christain College
The MLC at Hillcrest Christian College guides students from Years 5-8 through age-appropriate learning that values personal interests and strengths while supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of the child. The 550+ students in the MLC learn collaboratively across two levels of a renovated carpark, allowing for flexible learning spaces that become transformed through sliding glass walls. The pedagogical approach used in these spaces is centred around staff using co-teaching models of instruction to deliver a Design Centred Learning approach to multiple classes at the same time.
Tour 2: Mastery Schools Australia Coolangatta Campus
"Mastery Schools Australia is a non-profit middle school catering for kids with learning difficulties that struggle to fit into the mainstream. We use evidence and research-based learning structures that ensure every student has the opportunity to learn at their level and pace. At MSA we meet every student's needs and address their educational gap with individualised support and systems so they can excel academically and socially."
Tour 3: The Rise Program at Hillcrest Christain College (Coolangatta)
The place is The Strand Shopping Centre in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, the pedagogy focuses on personal growth, service to the community, and the development of entrepreneurial thinking.
Research shows that young adolescents undergo significant cognitive and emotional changes as they move out of the Middle Years, and the education system needs to be responsive to these changes. Furthermore, this age group is at a crucial stage in their learning, and it is important that they receive an education that is relevant and challenging to ensure they are motivated to continue as active and engaged learners into the Senior Years. What better place to make this happen than overlooking one of the best beaches in the world.
Both Darren Rackemann (Head of Middle Learning Community, Hillcrest Christain School) and Matt Cavanough (Principal, Mastery Schools Australia) will share the research and practice that has informed the creation of these two unique learning environments.
VISIT INCLUDES
1. Meet at St John's Anglican College at 8:30am or pick up from Hillcrest Christain College, Reedy Creek at 10:30am.
2. Return Bus transport to both schools
2. Morning tea at Hillcrest and lunch at Coolangatta
LOGISTICS
Buses leaves St John's Anglican College at 9am (meet at 8.30am) and returns at 4:30pm. Gold Coast teachers can meet us a Hillcrest Christain College Reedy Creek Campus and join the bus to Coolangatta.
St John's Anglican College: College Ave, Forest Lake, 4087
Hillcrest Christain College: 21 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek, 4227
