High Achievers' Program (HAP)

What the HAP teachers learned?

Year 7, 8 & 9 Science, Maths and Humanities HAP teachers attended the Centre for Higher Education Studies “High Ability Classrooms: Empowering students to excellence” professional learning day. Engaging with academics and the latest research from Deakin University, teachers were empowered with effective strategies to identify and support Berwick’s high-ability learners through curriculum design and effective classroom teaching practices. Year 7, 8 & 9 English HAP teachers will be offered this valuable opportunity in Term4.

In Term 4, our HAP Coordinator will represent Berwick College at the statewide conference TEACHING HIGH ABILITY STUDENTS, where she will be presenting to peers “Mind in Motion: Practical Neuroplasticity for Secondary Students”.

Creative writing workshop and competition

To celebrate Book Week’s theme "Book an Adventure!", 35 students from HAP English classes undertook a creative writing workshop. Using an interactive story writing program, the students created, critiqued and voted on their own and their peers writing.

One of the group’s favourite story openers, written in 120secs in response to the image

Congratulations to Kosuke in year 8, who scored the most votes from his peers.

Several students took the opportunity to use their writing skills and enter their creative pieces in the Insight National Writing competition. We look forward to seeing how the students go, including Athvithan in year 7, who submitted a 12-page mystery fiction.

Year 9 HAP students seeking Social Justice

As part of the year 9 HAP English classes text study, “The Hate U Give”, saw the classes head into Melbourne City for a Social Justice walking tour. The students were led by experienced guides who told the Melbourne public protest story from the inside: through the history, lanes, culture, architecture, heritage, street art, iconic venues, lost and hidden places around Melbourne. The students enjoyed the interactive role play on the streets as we went.

Year 9 HAP students share Book Week festivities with Berwick Primary School.

The students choose costumes and books to share with six classes from Prep to Year 6. The students stayed to support individual primary students in their reading time or authoring book reports. The Berwick students were an exemplary model of behaviour and enthusiasm of the power of reading.

Year 7 HAP Debating

Congratulations to the year 7 HAP Debate team who had the opportunity to compete in the Debaters Association of Victoria Junior School Debate Program at Kambrya College, where they won their first ever interschool debate. As the affirmative team they were able to convince the adjudicators that it should be compulsory for fast food to have plain packaging. More debating to follow in Term 4 for these articulate speakers.

Monica Morscheck

High Ability / High Achievers' Program Learning Specialist