Learning
At Hurlstone Agricultural High School, we deliver the NSW curriculum with the depth and rigour expected of a fully selective school. Literacy and numeracy are the foundations of success, and our teachers use explicit, evidence-based strategies to ensure every student is challenged and supported to achieve their goals. Alongside a broad range of subjects, we provide specialised pathways in agriculture and enrichment opportunities that extend high potential and gifted learners.
Why choose us for your child’s learning?
Strong foundations
We build the core skills in literacy, numeracy, and learning habits that every student needs to excel. These strong foundations give students the confidence to succeed at school and prepare them for future pathways.
High-quality education
We provide a wide range of subjects that challenge and inspire students to discover their strengths and passions. With expert teaching and high expectations, every learner is supported to achieve their best and succeed.
Inclusive and personalised learning
Our teachers adapt their approach to match each student’s needs, interests, and pace of learning. Every learner is both challenged and supported, ensuring they feel confident, valued, and able to achieve their personal best.
Extension opportunities
Some students are ready to go further, so we provide open-ended tasks, enrichment programs, and pathways designed to extend their learning. These opportunities ensure every high potential learner is challenged to reach their full potential.
What students learn
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.
At our school, courses are delivered through the following faculties:
- Agriculture
- Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
- English
- Languages Other than English (LOTE)
- Mathematics
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Science
- Teaching and Learning
- Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)
- Welfare
Explore how we teach the NSW curriculum through key learning areas.
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or via email.
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
At our school, we give the right support to help advanced or talented learners grow and do their best.
We notice these students early through our transition programs and entry data from the Selective Education Team. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths with differentiated teaching and learning programs, enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities.
Contact us to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.
Our learning approach
Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.
Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.
Our learning approach includes:
- real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
- technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
- flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
- community connections: through excursions and local programs.
Helping students progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals with each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making wellbeing part of everyday learning
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
Want to know more about our subjects?
We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover clubs, sports and other activities your child can enjoy at school.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.