The Hills Sports High offers a selective talented sports program in which students receive elite coaching from nationally accredited coaches and participate in courses on fitness, nutrition and sports science. Students seeking placement in a targeted sports program must undergo fitness and skills testing in their nominated sport, while satisfying high standards in attitude, work habits and academic achievement.
The school equally values academic excellence and offers an extremely wide junior and senior curriculum. Students from The Hills Sports High School regularly perform with distinction in the HSC and national and international academic competitions.
Facilities: Assembly hall, a gymnasium, a physiotherapy clinic, three computer labs with Internet access, a library with a computer bank featuring CD-ROM resources and Internet access, photographic darkroom, well-equipped specialist rooms in all curriculum areas, rugby and soccer ovals, cricket nets, a hockey field, indoor and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, and a fitness laboratory.
Electives Years 7 to 10: History, Geography, Commerce, French, German, Music, Studies in Society, Technics (Wood, Metal, Auto, Electronics and Art Metal), Food Technology, Computing Studies, Technical Drawing, Drama, Dance, Human Movement Studies, Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Visual Arts and Photography.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Mathematics (all courses), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Business Studies, Computing Studies, Legal Studies, Geography, Economics, Ancient History, Modern History, Food Technology, Community and Family Studies, Hospitality, Visual Arts, Photography, Engineering Studies, Design and Technology, Music, French, German, Exploring Early Childhood, Drama, Visual Design, PD/Health/PE, Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation, Skills for Living.
JSST courses are also offered as are VET courses, which include Business Services, Information Technology, Retail Operations, and Hospitality Operations. Religious education is conducted weekly (Protestant and Catholic).
Sport: Targeted sports program. Sports offered for 2010 include athletics (track and field), baseball, cricket, golf, netball, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, softball, swimming and tennis. Regular sports include cross-country, touch football, baseball, hockey, volleyball, and a variety of recreational sports. The Hills Sports High has a growing list of current and former students who have been selected to represent Australia in their chosen sport.
Extracurricular activities: Music, drama, debating, Mock Trial, Streamwatch, cycling club, dance gymnastics program, outdoor education program, public speaking competition, homework assistance program and tutorial support.
Welfare and personal development: A very supportive educational and welfare program is provided and an academic review panel regularly monitors the progress of senior students.
The school also features a highly supportive peer support program designed to assist Year 7 students in making a successful transition into high school. “Vertical” groups, pastoral care, student advisers, SRC, staff welfare team, Year 12 buddy scheme are also a feature. The school offers work experience for Years 10 and 11 and has a full-time careers adviser. There is a strong uniform and discipline policy.
Special features: In addition to a strong academic focus and talented sports program, the school also offers unique opportunities for students wishing to follow a vocational pathway.
The school’s traineeship program enables students to participate in paid employment while attaining a nationally recognised VET qualification along with their HSC. Traineeships offered include Business Administration, Fitness Instruction, Horticulture, Hospitality, Retail and Sports Administration. The Hills Sports High is a regional centre for the Saturday School of Community Languages, which offers the study of languages to HSC level. The average class size is 21.
Classes are graded or streamlined in Years 7 to 8 and in Years 9 to 10 for compulsory subjects (Mathematics, English, Science, Geography, and History). Elective classes are generally mixed-ability groups. The school theme for 2010 is “Nothing Less than Personal Best” and this will be pursued in all aspects of the curriculum.
Famous ex-students: Lauren Farry (world sport aerobics champion), Marcus Irwin (world sport aerobics champion), Tim Brasher (NSW and Australian Rugby League fullback), Kelly Gentle (Australian softball pitcher), Brad Selby (NSW rugby union five-eighth).