Our character development approach is based on the school vision of ‘Reflective Leaners, Caring Changemakers’. Students learn the school values and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies in Character and Citizenship Education lessons and through other platforms like C-Space, and then they internalise them through reflection and observing the role modelling by staff.  They are then given opportunities to practise these values and SEL competencies so they can be changemakers through showing care and making a difference to themselves, home, school, community and nation.  Students subsequently review their character development through self-evaluation which leads to deeper learning.

Hillgrove's Values in Action (ViA) programmes aim to provide authentic platforms to support students’ development as caring citizens who contribute meaningfully to the community. The school uses an approach that is aligned to the school mission - Learn, Care and Make a Difference. Under the ‘Learn’ dimension, students are explicitly taught a skill or knowledge. Under the ‘Care’ dimension, students take on perspectives of others and demonstrate empathy. Lastly, they apply what they have learnt and make a difference through their service to the community. Hillgrovians in the upper secondary levels are given the opportunity to plan and organise activities of their choice to serve the community and our lower secondary levels are involved in environmental projects.