About us
A dayat Hillwood
Parents ask what the day actually looks like. This is it — bell to bell, with the times that matter if you are planning a school run.
From the first bellto the last bus
Term-time hours. Fridays end after the afternoon block; Saturdays are reserved for fixtures and squad training.
- 7.10a.m.
Gates and the first bell
Buses come up the hill from Peradeniya, Katugastota and the town. Boarders are already on the quadrangle. The first bell goes at 7.10 and the gates close at 7.25.
- 7.30a.m.
Assembly and worship
The whole school gathers — Monday in the Chapel, other mornings on the quadrangle or in the New Auditorium by section. There are notices, the School Hymn, and a reading. Students of every faith attend; participation in worship is never required.
- 8.00a.m.
First teaching block
Four forty-minute periods before the interval. Junior sections stay largely with their form teacher; from Middle School upward, students move to subject rooms and laboratories.
- 10.20a.m.
Interval
Twenty minutes. The tuck shop opens, the quadrangle fills, and the Prefects' Room deals with whatever the morning has produced.
- 10.40a.m.
Second teaching block
Three more periods. Practical science, ICT and art are timetabled here where possible, since they need the longer run.
- 12.40p.m.
Lunch
Day students eat in the dining hall or on the grounds; boarders eat by house. The Shining Star Unit joins the main hall, as it does for assembly and every house event.
- 1.20a.m.
Afternoon lessons
Two periods. On Wednesdays this block is given over to clubs and societies, which is when most of the thirty societies actually meet.
- 2.40a.m.
Games, societies and prep
Squad training for the eight sports, society meetings, choir practice, and supervised prep for boarders. Most girls are doing something until at least four.
- 4.15a.m.
Last bus
The final bus leaves at 4.15. Boarders return to house for tea, evening prep from 6.30, and lights out by section.
Beyond thetimetable
- Uniform
- White, with house colours for games and the College blazer for formal occasions. The full list is issued with the admission pack.
- Transport
- School buses serve Peradeniya, Katugastota, Kundasale and the town. Routes and stops are confirmed each December for the year ahead.
- Absence
- Notify the form teacher before 7.30 a.m. Medical certificates are required for absences of three days or more.
- Boarding
- One hundred and eighty places across three houses, with resident housemistresses and supervised evening prep from 6.30.
- Parent meetings
- Twice a term by section, plus an open appointment system with subject teachers after examination results are issued.
- The Chapel
- Morning worship is Anglican in form, and attendance is expected. Participation is not — students of every faith are welcome and never required to take part.
Open days run through January
Tours leave the Main Reception every thirty minutes. No registration needed.