VHAP

VHAP 2023

As part of the Student Excellence Program, VHAP (Victorian High Ability Program) is a program to extend students with ‘high abilities’. This program involves year 7-8 students at Vermont Secondary College. The program has been running since Term 4 in 2020. Throughout 2023, 105 Vermont Secondary College students have participated in this program. Students involved in this program participate in 8-10 online classes a term. Educators from Virtual Schools Victoria support the students in their learning during these 55-minute programs.

VHAP Maths

VHAP maths is the mathematical program in VHAP.

During these programs, we explore many different, unique ways to enjoy mathematics. 

This year, a total of 76 students across the year 7-8 cohort participated in this program. 

VHAP English

VHAP English students explore many ways to write stories and fun ways to approach the English program. This year, VHAP English students were asked to write a ‘short dystopian story’ which we have now made into an Anthology. 

A total of 56 students across year 7 and 8 participated in the English VHAP program in 2023.

The VHAP Program was incredibly fun to be a part of. As a part of both the Maths and English programs, I’ve realised how much these programs have extended my skills in both aspects of my learning. We would love to thank Ms. Cowan for running these programs for all the VHAP Students this year. 

By Zoey Z

VHAP CELEBRATION DAY

On the 6th of December 2023, all VHAP (Victorian High Ability Program) students came together to celebrate their achievements for this year. 

Many students from year 7 and 8 attended the fun activities held, and the lunchtime feast. They may have not known each other, but in the end this day was wild.

In the first half of the day, the Maths students formed groups to solve challenging puzzles. Figuring out how many times a ball will bounce, cross its own path, and how far the ball will travel in any size rectangle before it hit a corner. There was a reward coming with this. The 

winners would get a free movie ticket to any movie in  Village Cinemas! 

One of the winners, Risley, has something to say about the day; “I guess it’s one of the rewards for working hard and keeping your head down even when you have to do multiple people’s work.”

The English students, in the second half of the day, read an example of a dystopian short story. It was called ‘A Band Apart’ by Jessica Johnson. When the English students started VHAP they made their own dystopian stories, so they put them together in one large book and published it. Some students didn’t put the book together but put together the VHAP article. This one as well.

During lunch break, everyone came into the C-wing and had a celebration lunch. But only if they had been in the VHAP program this year though. The English VHAP students set it up beforehand. There were many foods for them all to eat, like chips, pizza, party pies and much more. 

In all, it the day was enjoyable for everybody who attended, and there was a bonus for it. A great learning experience for everybody in VHAP to end the year. From my perspective, since I’m a VHAP student in the Math and English programs, I can confirm that the information here is true, and we did learn more things than we would have just in class.

By Kieran.C