October high ability report
by Dr Bernadette Sheedy, High Ability Learning Specialist
Box Hill High School
8 GAPP National Gallery of Victoria Excursion
On Wednesday 8 October, 8 GAPP attended the NGV to participate in two programs. The first, Artful English, was designed to allow students to explore thought-provoking works from the collection and to use them as a springboard for developing visual literacy and creative writing. Students experimented with language, literary devices, and rich descriptive vocabulary to craft short written pieces, including poetry. The second program, What is Art? Critical and Creative Thinking, challenged students to respond to philosophical questions and big ideas about how we define and value art.
Student feedback
Aston: I personally found this excursion to be extremely fun and engaging as we were broken into small groups, which allowed the tour guide to give individuals more attention. The NGV had many unique works of art, that I may be able to use as inspiration for my poetry. My main takeaway was that works could portray emotions through fine details, which I think can be applied to poetry through poetic devices and language techniques.
Ishan: I thought that these works were particularly thought provoking and really made you think about all the different things going on in the artworks and what it could mean. My main takeaway was that creativity has no limits and can take any shape or form.
Nate: Really diving deep into the exploration of abstract art has made me discover a newfound appreciation for art and also the deeper meaning of pieces. Such artworks like the large lamp and the little red chair made me think and imagine- the meaning of the piece was ambiguous and differentiated between each person. We wrote a small dialogue which was very cool and allowed us to find creativity within ourselves and the works.
Science Talent Search 2025
The Science Talent Search is a competition which encourages students to create a STEM project in an area of interest.
We congratulate the following students who achieved excellent results in the competition this year:
Rey G and Evelyn W, Year 10 – Minor Bursary winner – topic: The Epigenetic Regulation of Genes.
Linge S, Year 10 – Distinction – Exploring Quantum Pathways: From the Double Slit experiment to a beam of light.
Josh N and Hedley W, Year 9 – Merit – Water Collection Device.
Ria V, Year 9 – Distinction – Effect of Salinity on Plant Growth and Health.
Ethan L, Year 10 – Distinction – Effect Of pH on diffusion of dissolved paracetamol across a semi-permeable membrane.
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Viraj S, Year 12, and Vedant S, Year 8, for having their photographs and artwork published in the latest edition of VISION, the journal for the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children.
Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee – State Finalists
Congratulations to the following students who participated in the Victorian State Final of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee:
Year 7: Yao C, Careena W, Jennifer F, Dylan G, Alvin L, Ella Mae D, Harion L.
Year 8: Olivia F, Erick N, Ishan M, Gian M.