High Ability Program

Is your child academically driven? Would they benefit from an extra challenge and learning environment where like-minded students are placed together to support each other?

We are excited to share with you the continuation of our High Ability Program at Year 9 after the highly successful introduction of this program at GSSC this year.

In addition to this, we are extending the program to Year 7 students in 2025. This is for incoming students who would gain from further challenges in critical thinking and collaboration.

Following the Year 7 and 9 curriculum and adopting 21st century learning techniques, this program will allow students to delve deeper into subject areas as they edge towards their senior secondary schooling years.

Year 7 students in the program will be placed in a core class together, which they will continue in through Years 7, 8 and 9. This will provide students an opportunity to learn and grow with like-minded peers and set themselves up for the rigour of senior secondary school.

Current Year 8 GSSC students who are successful in gaining a place into the program during 2025 will be required to move into a new class in the Kiewa House within the Dharnya Neighbourhood. 

Application process

Entry into the High Ability Program is via:

• An assessment which mirrors the General Achieve Test and tests student’s critical thinking abilities and capacity to write and;
• GSSC working in consultation with primary schools and Year 8 teachers to gather a range of data including from NAPLAN and Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), as well as Semester Reports.

Assessment details

Students may apply to sit the High Ability Program assessment to be considered for entry. Assessments will take place on the following days.

• 9.30am or 11.45am on Sunday September 15 and;
• 9.30am or 11.45am on Monday September 23.

This will be held in the Enterprise building on Hawdon St. Laptops will be provided to students to complete testing.

Next steps

Families may express their interest to undertake the High Ability Program assessment by completing this form:

Year 7 2025 -https://forms.office.com/r/3jkkzNTLM4

Year 9 2025 - https://forms.office.com/r/DLYLvV5bhZ

Applications close on Friday August 16.

Based on assessment results, GSSC will shortlist students and make final selections through a cross-reference with data from primary and secondary schools, including results from NAPLAN, PAT testing and effort and attitude comments in Semester Reports. 

When completing the EOI form, please indicate your consent for GSSC to access this data via your child’s primary school.

More information

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Stacie Lundberg, Curriculum and Pedagogy Assistant Principal: Stacie.lundberg@education.vic.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions

Further information and FAQs are available here: https://www.gssc.vic.edu.au/curriculum-and-learning/high-ability-program