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Hillcrest Scholarships

I n s p i r e . E n c o u r a g e . E m p o w e r

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Inspire

Empo

wer

Encourage

For each child to achieve personal excellence as a

valuable member of our global community

CuriosityRe

spec

t

Independence Determ

inat

ion

Respect

Curiosity

Independence

Determination

for ourselves, each other, our community and the environment

to discover, explore and develop personal interests and strengths

to strive to achieve

to develop self-motivation and purposefulness to learn on an independent basis

OUR VISION, PHILOSOPHY & VALUES

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Introduction Scholarship awards are offered by Hillcrest Secondary School for entry to Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 – Sixth Form (16+). In line with our Vision ‘for every child to achieve personal excellence as a valuable member of our global community’, these awards are intended to recognise the potential for excellence in a range of areas and support those candidates in achieving their very best by providing opportunities they may otherwise not acesss. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate personal determination and show evidence of independent thinking, curiosity and respect, in line with our values.

This booklet gives details of the various awards available, the procedure for application and the expectations of a Hillcrest Scholar.

In all the testing, the emphasis is on allowing the candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their individual strengths. We hope that they find the experience stimulating and enjoyable.

The first step is to complete the application form which is available from our website or may be obtained from the applicants’ current school or our school office. Following an initial assessment, candidates are shortlisted and those selected will be called back for an interview with a member of our Senior Leadership Team. Again, the emphasis is on putting candidates at ease and allowing them an opportunity to talk about their passions. Credit will be given to those who show genuine interest in their subjects, have read widely and can apply their knowledge to new situations and problems. During the interview, candidates need to demonstrate they have the potential to develop into emotionally intelligent, independent thinkers, equipped to become effective young adults and world citizens.

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Protocol Before applying for a Scholarship award, Hillcrest Secondary School encourages parents of applicants to inform, and liaise with, the Head Teacher of their current school as recommendations and previous reports will be requested.

Scholarships equate to a reduction of between 10% and 25% of the tuition fees for the successful applicants. Successful scholars in Music, Art and Drama are expected to continue with these subjects to IGCSE Level.

A scholarship awarded for Year 9 will be in place until the end of Year 11. At which point, a student may apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship. All scholars are monitored by the Scholarship Committee, which is made up of a range of teachers. The Committee meets at the end of Term 2 each year to discuss each scholar’s contribution, commitment and effort in their specific subjects. If the Committee has any cause for concern, the parents of the scholar will be contacted, and a meeting set up to discuss any issues that may be putting the scholar’s status in jeopardy. The scholar will then have Term 3 to rectify the situation. Please note that this is a rare occurrence and that the majority of scholars do themselves, their parents and the school proud.

Key Dates Year 9 Deadline for submission of applications Friday 1st November 2019 Assessments Dates Sport | Swimming & All-rounder with Sport – Friday 15th November 2019Academic, Arts and others – Saturday 16th November 2019 Shortlisted Candidate Interviews – Saturday 23rd November 2019 Apply through https://hillcrest.openapply.com/

Key Dates Sixth Form Deadline for submission of applications Friday 1st November 2019 Assessment Dates Saturday 23rd November 2019

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Hillcrest offers a range of seven different scholarships. Applicants may only apply for one category. Scholarships, and the assessments required for each, are as follows:

Academic Scholarship – 1 hour English examination; 1 hour Mathematics examination; 1 hour examination of a third subject of the students choice (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Business Studies, French, Spanish, Latin or German).

All-Rounder Scholarship – 1 hour English examination, 1 hour Mathematics examination; 2 x 1 hour assessments in 2 disciplines (from Music, Drama, Art, Swimming and Sport);

• All Rounder Music assessment – solo recital and interview; • All Rounder Drama assessment – monologue recital and interview; • All Rounder Art assessment – portfolio discussion and individual task; • All Rounder Sport assessment – sporting drills and interview. • All Rounder Swimming assessment – drills and interview.

Music Scholarship – 1½ hour assessment to include: Solo performance with instrument of choice or vocal piece (pre-prepared); group improvisation activity; interview with Head of Music with discussion on portfolio of supporting evidence.

Art Scholarship – 1½ hour assessment to include: Art based activity (usually a still-life drawing); interview with Head of Art with discussion on portfolio of supporting evidence.

Drama Scholarship – 1½ hour assessment to include: Monologue performance (2-3 mins) of student’s choice (pre-prepared); group improvisation activity; interview with Head of Drama.

Sport Scholarship – 2½ hour assessment to include a range of fitness tests; group sporting games/scenarios; interview with Head of Boys/Girls Games with discussion on portfolio of supporting evidence. All students should expect to participate in the following sports, girls - hockey, netball and rounders, boys -football, hockey and cricket. All will be asked to swim.

If students are offering other sports we will make every effort to accommodate them.

Swimming Scholarship – 2 hour assessment to include a test session, need to provide a portfolio with evidence of pb times and interview with director. KSF National Standard level.

Portfolio of supporting evidence - this is essential for Sport, Creative Arts and All-rounder Scholarships and should include references and school reports - academic/sporting performance, documentary/photography evidence from the previous 3 years (no more).

Categories of Scholarships

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Application Procedure Complete scholarship application form online at https://hillcrest.openapply.com/ before Friday 1st November 2019. Long-listed candidates will be invited to undertake scholarship assessments and will receive the scholarship day programme.

Scholarship Day General welcome and introduction for parents and candidates from Head Teacher.Sitting of exams and/or assessment of skills - Discussion of portfolio of supporting evidence. Short-listed candidates will be invited for a final interview with the Scholarship Committee Saturday 23rd November 2019.

Letter of Offer Following the interview process, the Head Teacher will send a letter to each candidate. This will either be offering a scholarship or explaining that the candidate has not met the criteria on this occasion. Unsuccessful applicants may be offered the opportunity of a full fee-paying place if there are vacancies within Hillcrest. Letters will also be sent to the candidate’s schools informing them of the outcome. The offer will clarify the value of the scholarship, the period for which the scholarship applies, and the expectations of the student should they accept. Acceptance of the scholarship should be made in writing within the time detailed in the letter. Candidates are required to register with Hillcrest at this point.

Please note that the Hillcrest Secondary School scholarship process does not disadvantage any pupils. The assessments and examinations are specifically designed to not be based around curriculum and the prior knowledge therein. Rather, the Hillcrest Scholarship assessments and examinations aim to allow any student with sufficient talent and academic potential to be able to demonstrate their skills in a particular area.

Please do not hesitate to contact our Registrar Maria Kimata on admissionssecondary@hillcrest.ac.ke should you need clarification on the above.

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Effort Grades2 Excellent or outstanding effort. 1 Good effort. The student is working hard and behaving well.0 Satisfactory. -1 Under performing and needs to improve.-2 Drastically needs to improve. Intervention is urgently required.

These numbers will be awarded to measure your homework, classwork and behavior effort. Apart from the numbers, your report will also reflect your attainment grades. These reports are one way in which your progress will be measured. The other way is through comments from your Form Tutors, subject teachers and any other person whom we feel can adequately comment on your progress whether in school or outside.

Expectations of a Hillcrest Secondary School ScholarPlease note that this document is applicable to Frank Thompson, Sixth Form and Year 9 Scholars.

At Hillcrest Secondary, we value respect, curiosity, independence and determination. We would like all our Scholars to nurture these values and always be guided by them. We also strive to inspire, empower and encourage all students to reach their full potential. As a Scholar, you will receive ample support and motivation to enable you to excel on all fronts. You, in turn, must exert maximum effort in all areas of school life, take all the opportunities availed to you and fully cooperate with your teachers in order to attain your potential.

An explanation of our reporting system:Every half term and at the end of every term, you will receive a report. On this report, you will see the following numbers. (A description of the numbers is given next to them).

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General expectations which you must meet as a scholar.If your conduct outside school is deemed to be harmful to the reputation of the school or is in contravention of school rules and the standards we expect of you as a scholar, you risk the chance of forfeiting your scholarship. This is of course at the discretion of the head teacher.

• All scholars are expected to consistently maintain excellent effort grades in both homework and classwork. This will be reflected by the number 2.

• All scholars must display outstanding behavior in and outside the classroom. This will also be reflected by the number 2 in the report.

• Scholars are viewed as the best ambassadors of the school and so must always be in the correct school uniform, on their best behavior and always at the forefront of effecting positive change and influence amongst their peers.

• All scholars must conduct themselves in a mature and socially acceptable manner, even outside school.

• Irrespective of the type of scholarship, all scholars must be seen to be exerting maximum effort towards attaining excellence in their academics.

• All Round Scholars must attain a minimum of B in all subjects. Scholars will be closely monitored and supported but they must be proactive in seeking help when they are in need of it.

• Academic scholars must attain a minimum of B in all subjects but must optimally aim at A*s. Scholars are expected to be the winners of subject prizes in our Annual Speech Days.

• Scholars are encouraged to undertake peer tutoring. This way, they will be helping others and also improving their own skills.

• Scholars are encouraged to take part in community service projects whether in school or outside school and to provide evidence of this to the school.

• During the holidays, Scholars are encouraged to undertake work experience, in order to help equip them with certain soft skills, such as teamwork, communication skills and commercial awareness. It also helps in the making of appropriate academic choices at IGCSE or A-Level.

• Scholars are encouraged to run for Student Parliament and Interact positions. Sixth Form scholars are encouraged to vie for prefectship, executive positions within The Scholars Society and for positions in the Interact and Ecobus Clubs.

• Scholars will be supported and are encouraged to initiate and run their own clubs which will of course have to be supervised by adults.

• Scholars are expected to do work experience and community service. The structure is as follows:

• Year 9s and 10s are required to conduct a minimum of 3 days of work experience and/or community service during holidays.

• Year 12s are expected to conduct work experience related to their chosen university courses during holidays and over the summer holidays. All Year 12s regardless of scholarship status have to do a minimum of 2 weeks work experience during their Summer holidays.

• Scholars are expected to participate in all School-based Scholar programmes during term time.

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Scholars are expected to take a full and regular part in School sport. They must:• Participate in all school sport practices for which they are required (in a minimum of

three different sports throughout the school year).• Participate in all school matches for which they have been selected.• Attend all mentor meetings.• Attend all specialist fitness sessions.• Attend all Sports Scholars clinics as set out in the school calendar.• Maintain a good fitness level during school holidays.• Achieve expected levels in termly fitness tests as prescribed by the school. These will be

set individually and will reflect the scholars’ physiological strengths.• If injured, follow the rehabilitation programme prescribed by Health professionals of

their mentor, depending on the level of injury.• Inform their mentor and coaches of all out of school sporting commitments, particularly

in regional and National sporting teams to ensure overtraining does not occur.• Seriously consider taking IGCSE Academic PE and at Sixth Form are encouraged to take

Academic PE or BTEC Sports.

Assessment, Tracking and MonitoringScholars’ practical performance will be assessed in all sports in which they participate at school. These assessments, along with attitude and fitness level will be recorded, tracked and monitored. If a Scholars’ mentor feels that a student is underperforming this will be highlighted to the Head of PE who will work with the coaches, scholar and Scholars’ parents to improve performance.The Scholars’ mentor and coaches will ensure that pupils are not overtraining and maintain their academic progress. This will be achieved through discussions with Scholars, Scholars’ teachers’ as well as academic tracking and monitoring.

Expectations from specific departments:Sports Scholar Expectations:Hillcrest International School is committed to supporting all young athletes. Scholars will be supported in many particular ways, with attention given to physical conditioning, skills acquisition, healthy living, and mental health.Each Scholar will be mentored by the Sports department. There will be regular meetings where discussions will include sporting performance, academic performance, diet and fitness.

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Creative Arts Scholar ExpectationsWhilst Hillcrest has certain expectations of Creative Arts Scholars, the Creative Arts Faculty will also strive to provide Scholars with greater opportunities for growth.

Music Scholar Expectations:Music Scholars are expected to take Music in Year 9, and strongly encouraged to take GCSE Music in Years 10 and 11. Sixth Form Scholars are encouraged to take A-level Music or Music Technology. They are expected to be leaders in the Music classroom, assist and encourage others when necessary. Music Scholars are expected to take part in the orchestra and/or choir, and to perform in school concerts and plays. They are also expected to take advantage of as many performing opportunities as possible.

Opportunities provided by the Music Department:Music Scholars will be given priority when:

• opportunities arise to perform at school events • being offered places on workshops or trips to external music events• be given the opportunity to enter The Young Musician of The Year competition.

They will also receive guidance for auditions for the Kenya National Youth Orchestra and the Safaricom Youth Orchestra.

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Drama Scholar Expectations:• Drama Scholars are strongly encouraged to take IGCSE Drama. Sixth Form Scholars are

encouraged to take A Level Drama and Theatre or BTEC Performing Arts.• Drama Scholars will be expected to audition for school productions.• They will also be expected to participate in any additional performances for the school or

local community.• They are encouraged to attend any Drama trips or workshops.• Drama Scholars are expected, where possible, to also be involved in any community or

professional theatre in the local area.

Opportunities provided by the Drama Department:• They will receive support and encouragement from the Head of Drama in case they

would like to direct and produce their own performances.• They will be provided with the opportunity to audition for productions within the school. • The Creative Arts faculty will support provide support for any auditions with local theatre

groups.• Drama Scholars will be encouraged to attend any trips or workshops.

Art Scholar Expectations:• Art Scholars are strongly encouraged to take IGCSE Art and Sixth Form Scholars are

encouraged to take A Level or BTEC Art and Design.• They are expected to help out with set design and backdrop painting during school

plays.• They are expected to enter external competitions like the Orchid Competition.• Art Scholars must take part in creating and designing Art murals for the school and

encouraging other Art students to participate.

Frank Thompson Scholar coming from the 8-4-4 systemThe Frank Thompson Scholarship was set up by Hillcrest International Schools, with the support of the Thompson family, in memory of the late Frank Thompson, founder of Hillcrest Schools. It is intended for academically gifted students with a minimum of KCPE 400 for entry into Year 9 (13 years) and KCSE A- for entry into Year 12 / Sixth Form (16 years) who would otherwise not be able to attend Hillcrest without the support of the scholarship. Apart from maintaining excellent effort and behaviour, Frank Thompson Scholars are required to attain excellence in all subjects throughout the year. Excellence in academic attainment is represented by a minimum of Garde A or, in cases of subjects assessed on a 1-9 scholar, a grade 7. Where a student commences the year on a minimum of Grade B, it is vital that the student is seen to be making progress towards attaining excellence. All other expectations as listed must also be met by Frank Thompson Scholars. Progress is reviewed termly with a comprehensive review taking place at the end of each academic year. Students failing to meet these standards risk having their scholarships withdrawn.

If you have any questions, please contact our Registrar, Maria Kimata on

admissionssecondary@hillcrest.ac.ke or call 0724 255 444, 0735 255 442

www.hillcrest.ac.ke

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Tel: +254 (0)20 266 2139/41, (0)724 255 444, (0)733 255 442Email: mailto:admissionssecondary@hillcrest.ac.ke

www.hillcrest.ac.ke