Welcome to Hunter Valley Grammar School.
At its heart, HVGS is a values-driven school that places students at the centre of all we do. From the minute you walk through the gates, you see it in the greetings from students and staff, and the pride we take in our connection to land and the Australian bush. Gum trees tower overhead, and we share our campus with a plethora of bird life.
Our goals at HVGS are to ensure
- Every child feels valued
- Every child feels like they belong
- Every child’s unique potential is understood and nurtured
- Every child experiences equity in their learning journey
- Every child can find their unique pathway to success.
Our campus extends beyond the school gates to Duckenfield Berry Park on the banks of the Hunter River where we have our rowing complex, and to our working farm in South Maitland where students can spend the early mornings tending cattle and sheep. We have a working agricultural plot, vegie garden and free-range chickens on campus, as well as three full-size ovals.
Learning at HVGS is about striving for excellence in all that we do. As an inclusive school, HVGS supports a multifaceted approach to success and strives to meet all students where they are in their learning journeys. This has led to multiple learning pathways in Years 11 and 12, a team of psychologists on site, and a well-resourced student support services team that includes gifted and talent enrichment as well as support for students with complex learning profiles.
"Our motto, "Success through Endeavour” encapsulates our approach that no matter who you are or how you learn, success comes through hard work and determination in a supportive and nurturing environment."
We also honour the diversity of HVGS and seek to provide a learning environment which values that diversity and builds on it to help our students be compassionate and engaged young people. Each student and staff member at HVGS feels connected to each other, has autonomy in their work and learning, and is supported to achieve mastery. By doing this, we help each member of the community thrive.
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) world school, HVGS fosters critical and creative thinking and nurtures in our students care and compassion. We recognise that differences of thought and ways of being make for a rich and dynamic learning environment. Likewise, we foster in our students global citizenship so that they think beyond their regional and national context to understand our place in the world and the responsibilities we have to ensure a sustainable future for all.
HVGS is proudly a part of Maitland and the Hunter Region and seeks to foster our connections to community and land. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our bush-style campus in the heart of Maitland!
Thought Leadership
Read Rebecca's Blog
We invite you to explore Rebecca’s blog, where she offers thoughtful reflections and insightful commentary on the state of modern education. Her perspective is both informed and thought-provoking - well worth a read.
Read Rebecca's BlogMeet our Executive Team
Rebecca Butterworth
Rebecca is an experienced educator with a proven leadership record in diverse schools in Europe, Asia and Australia. She graduated from the University of Tasmania, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours and a double major in English, with minors in History and Psychology. Her commitment to lifelong study, values-based leadership, service to education and pathways for all students is richly entrenched in her DNA.
With over 20 years’ experience, Rebecca has taught in Australia, Singapore, China and Switzerland. Having taught overseas since 2003, Rebecca returned to Australia in 2022 with a wealth of knowledge and understands a global perspective on education. She is a vibrant and passionate Principal who is collaborative in approach, with high regard for integrity, humility and building capacity.
Kelly-Ann Sackey
Kelly-Ann joined Hunter Valley Grammar School in 2023. She holds a Master of Education (Innovation and Change), Master of Science (Education), a Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Science.
As an educator, Kelly-Anne's philosophy is to enable all students to understand themselves and the world around them to become compassionate, informed and active members of their communities.
Sarah Bilton-Smith
Sarah is the Director of our Early Learning Centre. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary), a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education (Educational Leadership) from the University of Wollongong.
Sarah believes that early childhood is a time to be, to seek and to make meaning of the world. Sarah finds it a great privilege to guide and support children as they make new discoveries and develop a lifelong love for learning.
Shannon O'Dwyer
Shannon joined HVGS in 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Hons), a Bachelor of Arts, a Master in Education and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership.
Shannon leads our Junior School with compassion and purpose and believes that every student is a capable, curious child, who is hard-wired to seek and love learning. At HVGS, she supports a learning environment that teaches students to succeed in an ever-changing world, armed with confidence, compassion, critical thinking and commitment.
Greg Robinson
Greg joined HVGS in 2004 and has held a number of key leadership roles including Head of Students, Head of Senior School, and Deputy Principal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Dip Ed. As Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School.
Greg seeks to cultivate a nurturing, inclusive and dynamic educational environment where every student and staff member is encouraged to grow, innovate, and succeed.
Lori Dotti
Lori started at HVGS in 2023. She has oversight over the School's finances and facilities.