Established in 1981, Crestwood features a wide choice of subjects and many other programs and activities to help students develop skills and interests. The school was granted a Director General’s Award in 2006 for outstanding welfare and student support programs. Crestwood has developed a reputation for its consideration of students with disabilities in its Support Unit where places are allocated through the Department of Education and Training.
Facilities: Library, computer rooms, wireless Internet network, specialist rooms for practical subjects, gymnasium/auditorium, school farm, sports fields, covered outdoor learning area.
Electives Years 7 to 10: The school offers more than 20 electives, including Electronics, Agriculture, Food Technology and Drama. Nineteen one-year courses are available, including Photography, Legal Studies, Media Studies, Power Mechanics, and International Gourmet Cuisine. Years 9 and 10 are combined for these courses to break down the discrete age levels between grades.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Crestwood teaches more than 30 subjects at HSC level and nine joint TAFE courses. The range includes Agriculture, Business Studies, Economics, Engineering Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Legal Studies, Music, Industrial Technology, Extension English, Information Technology Processes, Software Design and Development, Exploring Childhood, Community and Family Service, Construction and Hospitality.
Sport: Students take part in inter-school sport in the Hills Zone, with possible progression to regional and state levels. The school also competes in cross-country, athletics and swimming carnivals, and takes part in the state knock-out competitions for many sports.
Extracurricular activities: The school offers a wide range of creative and performing arts activities: art awards, debating, public speaking, drama competitions, stage band, annual musical productions, computing, video and photography.
Welfare and personal development: Student welfare is a keystone of the school’s success. Specialist staff members include a counsellor, a welfare teacher, a careers adviser, an ESL teacher, and a remedial teacher. Each Year group has its own Year adviser, and the school is proud of its Student Representative Council and its outstanding achievements.
Special features: Parents, students and the community can participate in the decision-making process of the school through the P&C and a number of school committees. The school has a uniform designed specifically for young adults and offers classes for gifted and talented students in Years 7 to 10.