Enrichment Program

Rationale

At Norwood we are proud to offer an Enrichment Program (EP) beginning at Year 7, for students identified as highly motivated to achieve academically. These students tend to be intellectually curious, enjoy the challenge of extra academic stimulation and are able to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve their goals.

The program is designed to emphasise an enrichment of the current curriculum and to assist in the development of critical thinking skills that are universally important to achieve educational excellence. There is an expectation that these students will involve themselves in all aspects of College life, such as national competitions, sports, performing arts and leadership.

Purpose

There is one class of 25 students per year level, with students expected to undertake a full six years of study. It is intended that the class will stay together for the first three years of their secondary schooling. There is a greater emphasis placed on the study of more complex and abstract concepts, with opportunities to undertake self-directed inquiry-based learning. Students can expect the work to be challenging but rewarding at the same time. The goal is to develop the critical thinking skills that are so closely associated with academic excellence and success beyond school.

Implementation

Year 7 Entry

Students selected into the NSC Enrichment Program must be offered an enrolment at the school in line with DET’s enrolment policy. Once enrolled, students are selected into the Enrichment Program based on Edutest results, prior reports, and student academic performance.

As the selection process considers students holistically, applicants are required to submit a student portfolio consisting of:

• A letter written/typed by the student detailing their interest in and suitability for the program
•  A letter from the parent endorsing the student’s application
•  A copy of Grade 5 NAPLAN results
• A copy of the most recent semester report
• Any additional documentation to support the application (i.e., awards, co-curricular involvement, community service, work/writing samples)
• Primary Schools may be contacted for further information to support the selection process.

Staff involved in the selection of students for the program include the Head of Year 7, the Director of Curriculum and where necessary, the Learning Specialist for Data. These staff members will:

• coordinate the testing process for the Enrichment Program
• manage and review the student information and selection process for incoming students
• collect and analyse the data of students entering the program
• notify families if their child was successful or not successful in their application

*NB: The number of applicants does vary from year to year as does their knowledge, interests, and skill sets. The staff involved in the selection use a range of sources when choosing the best applicants. The students selected may not excel in each subject area and a clear gender balance is not a guarantee. Selection into the Enrichment Program is merit-based and thus students are not accepted on the basis that they have a sibling previously enrolled in the program. There will be no movement into the Enrichment Program after Semester 1 of Year 7.

Year 8/9 Entry

If a position[s] becomes available in the Enrichment Program, the spot may be filled for the start of the following academic year. Enrolment at the start of a new Semester, whilst possible, is not advised and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The relevant Head of Year Level or Director of Curriculum will notify families of the spot via a Compass newsfeed/email [see Appendix 1] and interested families will be encouraged to contact the College in writing. Applicants will be required to complete additional academic testing as determined by the College.

Once testing has occurred, a panel will be formed including the Junior School Principal, Head of Year Level and Director of Curriculum. Results from this testing, the Student’s Learner Profile, teacher feedback, and GPA and Semester Reports, will all be considered in the selection process. The successful applicant[s] will be notified in writing within two weeks of completing the testing.

*If a student wishing to enrol at Norwood shows interest in the Enrichment Program, and a position is available, then academic testing as determined by the College will take place and relevant data sets from their current school will be taken into consideration.

Roles and Responsibilities

Students enrolled in the Enrichment Program will:

• have an active involvement in all aspects of the program and take responsibility for their own learning
• develop a strong work ethic and good study habits with the support of both their teachers and parents
• remain up to date with all classwork and assessment
•  maintain appropriate results across all subject areas
• participate in extracurricular activities, competitions, and programs
• conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the school’s values of respect, responsibility, resilience, and aspiration
• maintain a high level of attendance

Teachers of the Enrichment Program will:

• develop curriculum and assessment that challenges students and enhances their critical thinking skills
• differentiate the teaching and learning program [where appropriate] to support students and meet them at their point of need
• provide feedback to students and their families which is timely and effective

 Parents/Guardians of Enrichment Program students will:

• encourage their child to establish an effective home study routine
• offer opportunities for their child to further demonstrate their learning by discussing their schoolwork and the ideas or topics that have been covered in class

 Exiting the Enrichment Program

 Students may exit the Enrichment Program for the following reasons:

1. A student exits the school.
2. A student (or their parents/guardians) decides they no longer want to be a part of the program and wishes to transition to a mainstream class.
3. A student is removed for not meeting the expectations of the program or their roles and responsibilities as listed above.

The NSC Enrichment Program is limited to 25 places and hence students enrolled are expected to maintain a high standard of work and effort. Enrolment in the Enrichment Program is a privilege and should not be considered by students and their families as a ‘guarantee’ from year to year. If a student in the Enrichment Program is deemed to be ‘at risk’, then a meeting will be held with all relevant parties to implement support strategies. If, after being given a chance to improve, the student continues to be ‘at risk’ a formal exit interview will occur and the student will be enrolled in a mainstream class.

Appendix 1

Dear Students, Parents & Guardians of Year 7,

Please be advised that positions have become available next year in the Year 8 Enrichment Program.

Parents/guardians of interested applicants are to communicate their interest via Compass email to the [Head of Year Level /Director of Curriculum] by [date]. Academic testing for all interested applicants will occur on [date]. Results from this testing, teacher feedback, and GPA and Semester Reports, will all be considered in identifying successful candidates.

We will endeavour to notify all applicants by [date].

Please be in touch with any concerns or queries.                                                        

Kind regards,

[Head of Year Level / Director of Curriculum]