REVIEW OF Hillfield Strathallan College BY student, Meera Ghelani

(4) Student Experience

I really like Hillfield. It has given me a lot of amazing opportunities, and I would definitely be a different person if I had attended a different school. I wish I had known to take advantage of the support that was available before I arrived. I believe there is a good amount of structure overall. However, there is very little coaching, at least in badminton, which is the sport I play. This becomes especially noticeable when we compete against other schools, as they often have much stronger coaching. I would also like to see more funding and effort put into sports like badminton, especially when it comes to jerseys.

The Best Part

The best part of being a student is the extensive support available. Students have access to so much help from staff and peers, both academically and through extracurricular activities, and it is incredibly encouraging.

Suggested Improvements

I wish more action were taken in response to student feedback. I feel that my friends and parents provide a great deal of feedback each year, but much of it does not seem to be taken into account.

Hidden Details

What might surprise a new student is how close the staff and students are. For the most part, I have a great relationship with my teachers, and I always feel comfortable reaching out to them whenever I need help.

(4) School Leadership

For the most part, I do respect the school leaders, especially the teachers and guidance counsellors. Sometimes they make decisions about the students and the school that I may not agree with; however, I do trust their judgment. I think that they support students and run the school well, and give students the grace and kindness to have a good high school career, even if they make a mistake. I wish they would discipline students more. I think the reason a lot of students are rowdy, have poor uniforms, etc., is because they aren't being disciplined.

(5) Teaching

I do not feel that teachers ask too much. All of the teachers I have had have taken into account my extracurriculars and have been very understanding of my schedule so as not to overload it. Sometimes their rubrics are a bit unclear for assignments, but they are always ready to answer questions and do what they can to help. Other than that, I feel that, especially in the last two years of high school, I have come to know what teachers expect of me. When teachers talk about success, I think they imagine their students achieving their goals, but also reaching beyond them. I think that all the teachers I have encountered want the best for their students and do their best to help them achieve it.

(4.5) Academics

I believe the work is just right. The workload can be strenuous at times, but I believe that it prepares us well for university. From what I have heard from alumni, the course content is relevant to post-secondary learning. At times, especially in the first two years of high school, I have felt that the workload was too hard, or too much. However, I do not feel that way in grade 12, as I have become more used to it. I believe that not only the academic knowledge, but also the social and leadership skills I have learnt at school will be invaluable. Through numerous leadership positions, I have learned how to take initiative, delegate tasks, teach others, and how to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves.

(3.5) Extracurriculars

Yes, I participate in extracurricular activities. I really enjoy the variety and depth of all the activities; there is something suited to everyone. It is not that I wish the school offered more, but that I wish there were better times for the extracurricular activities, so that my day did not end so late, or so I could participate in many activities without the large number of scheduling conflicts I face.

(2.5) Students

I believe that the students are very hit or miss at the school. I love my friends dearly, but I find it difficult to branch out outside of my friend group because others in my grade do not align with the type of people I would like to be friends with, or even talk to. I would say it feels like a city, because everyone has their group of people, and there is a shared sense of community, yet it feels very vast and disconnected. The students, I feel, who do best at the school take the opportunities presented to them and make the most of academic support. The ones that are antisocial, do not take help, and do not realize the opportunities given tend to struggle a bit.

(5) School Life

I would take them to a place with students, such as the library, gym, or a classroom actively in debate/conversation. I would take them there to show them the sense of community present in the school, and to show them how students interact authentically. This is because, as a visitor, I do not believe that they would want to see a space such as the awards cases or an empty classroom. Although this may show what the school looks like or what some students achieve, it does not show what the school actually produces: successful, happy, smart students. By showing them students who interact with each other well, we are showing visitors that HSC is intent on inspiring and encouraging the next generation of leaders.

(3.5) Community

In my last year of school at HSC, I can say that the school does feel like a sort of home, especially since I have spent so much time here. I feel that I know everyone quite well, and like a home, I will miss it when I leave. That being said, this is my original experience based on the activities and classes I have participated in, and the people I have met.

(3.5) School Location

I usually stay on campus, not including the rare occasion that I go to lunch, a sports trip, or for an extracurricular-related activity. I believe that when students have classes, they tend to stay on campus and attend the classes they are supposed to be in. However, nearing Grade 12 and the end of the year, some students may leave campus.

(4.5) Admissions

I'm not sure I remember a lot about my admissions process, other than it was fairly stress-free and everyone on the admissions team was very helpful. I recall going to the admissions office and talking through what the HSC experience would be like, as well as doing a tour and interacting with other HSC students. I found it fun, exciting, but also a bit bittersweet, as I did not want to leave my other school. However, the HSC admissions team and other students made the transition very smooth.