Tena Koutou, nga matua, kaitiaki me nga tauira.

Nau mai, haere mai ki to matou Kura Tuarua o Tihipuke.

Hillcrest High aims to provide each student with the highest quality co-educational experience. We seek to provide programmes of learning and opportunities for all students to reach their full potential and in doing so providing the capacity through knowledge, skills and attitudes to ensure our students make a successful contribution to New Zealand in the 21st Century.

Students are strongly encouraged and supported to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available at this school. Highly qualified and motivated staff mentor our students in a huge range of activities both inside and outside the classroom. Students regularly use these activities as stepping stones to regional and national recognition. While students are encouraged to excel in their specialist areas, we are also determined that they should be balanced and well-rounded young people. We expect our students to have busy, rewarding and fulfilled lives and we are constantly amazed by, and incredibly proud of, the level and range of the success they achieve.

Hillcrest is committed to continuous improvement. Annual target goals focus on student learning and raising achievement, while a comprehensive professional development programme keep staff abreast of current research and trends in education, improving instruction and learning from colleagues. The school has embarked on a long term property plan. Our new six classroom science block was opened in December 2009, with further refurbishment and modernisation of classrooms and performance facilities planned in our property programme. These projects, together with our desire to enhance ICT in teaching and learning and infrastructure, will continue to provide facilities to support the highest quality education for our students.

Maintaining a safe and supportive environment is essential in enhancing student learning and achievement. Our core values focus on personal excellence, respect, integrity, effort and participation. These combined with our non-negotiable Code of Behaviour or BEST practice ensure common practices of conduct, respect and standards are evident throughout the school.

I am personally excited about the future educational directions of the school and always consider it an honour and a privilege to work with such a highly professional and committed staff and school community.

I hope that the school will be more than a place where students learn. It will be an exciting and rewarding experience that involves a family commitment to the school.

A warm welcome awaits all students.

Kelvin Whiting
Principal