Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP) News

Part 1

VHAP Secondary Masterclasses Workshop at Virtual School Victoria

Mullauna high-ability students had a great experience at the Virtual School Victoria at the

end of Term 3! From creative workshops on dystopian storytelling to exploring mathematical concepts like Pascal’s Triangle and Game Theory, the day was filled with learning, collaboration, and excitement.

Our students immersed themselves in fascinating discussions about time, persuasive messaging, and even presented their own TED Talk-style ideas to change the world! It was truly inspiring to see their passion and creativity shine through.

Our VHAP students demonstrated impeccable behaviour and were great ambassadors for Mullauna Secondary College!

A big thank you to all involved for making this day memorable! A special thank you to our Assistant Principal, Mr Bray who was our designated driver on the day!

Thursday 19 September 2024

In alphabetical order: Michael B., Evander C., Axl C., Michelle E., Jennifer H., Ivy H., Hurod K., Rosie L., Tristan L., Ariel L., Benny M., Will M., Robbie N., Christina N., Ben P., Eleni S., April S., Amanda S. Will T., Nicole T.,William T., Holly V., Peter Y.

PART 2

Eleni S. (VHAP Term 3 Student) – State Finalist of Victoria in the 2024 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee Competition

The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is a free national spelling competition for Australian school students in Years 3 to 8 across all states and territories. Well done to all junior students who volunteered to participate in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee competition in Term 3. Mullauna students were given 30 random words from their red reading level word list. They had 25 seconds to spell each word. Eleni S., one of the English Term 3 VHAP students, was selected to participate in the PM Spelling Bee State/Territory Finals based on her spelling accuracy and speed! What a great achievement!

Left to right: Liv G., Keeley J., Dotti P., Talya S., Eleni S.

If you would like to find out more and participate in the 2025 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, please find more information here: https://www.spelling-bee.com.au/

PART 3

Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)

The VHAP program is designed for students who have demonstrated ability in English and/or Mathematics through their NAPLAN results and performance in these subjects at school. The Victorian High-Ability Program is an extension course running for one school term, where students meet with like-minded peers at neighbouring Victorian government schools through weekly virtual lessons taught by expert Virtual School Victoria educators.

What did Mullauna VHAP students study during their online sessions?

Victorian High-Ability Program Secondary English Course - Hope in Dystopian Times

In the Secondary English course, students explored challenging concepts, characterisation and visual images to find deep meaning. They made comparisons between historical events and contemporary world problems. Students engaged closely with complex ideas and discerned warnings within texts that apply to the modern world and also to future societies. Following an analysis of key texts that explore dystopias - including 'Hive' by A.J Betts- the students created their own dystopian worlds. They were challenged to develop a protagonist and to think about what is forfeited and gained as well as the frightening aspects of their dystopia.

Students also focused on the hope evident in dystopian narratives and their own dystopian worlds. Students provided meaningful feedback to support each other at the drafting stage, prior to the finalisation of their final written piece. Throughout the program, students were supported to participate in an exemplary online English classroom.

As the critical, ethical, creative and personal and social general capabilities shape the Secondary English program, students were encouraged to engage, empathise and contribute analytically and creatively as speakers, listeners, writers and collaborators.

Secondary Maths Course - A Whole New World of Mathematics

Through their participation in the secondary mathematics VHAP, students have explored a range of big ideas such as infinity, optimal strategy, paradoxes, networks and patterns in numbers. Students developed their understanding of how to formulate mathematical explanations using a range of techniques.

During the program, students formulated, examined and refined mathematical conjectures. They were introduced to the idea of evaluating mathematical strategies and solutions through the lens of the 3Es, by asking whether a solution is effective, efficient, and / or elegant. Students were encouraged not just to solve problems; but to find new problems.

Students were challenged to communicate their mathematical reasoning 'Beyond All Doubt' when explaining their findings and had the opportunity to apply this to the Three Digit Algorithm, patterns within the Fibonacci sequence, strategy in games and other interesting mathematical results. Students had the opportunity to evaluate their own progress on a practical problem using graph theory. Mathematical horizons were broadened through the examination of infinity, repeating patterns and paradoxes.

If you would like to find more information about the Victorian High-Ability Program, please use the links below:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/high-ability-toolkit/Pages/Victorian-High-Ability-Program.aspx

https://www.vsv.vic.edu.au/victorian-high-ability-program/

Tanya Alderton

High Ability Practice Leader (HAPL)

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11 October 2024

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