Truganina Times

Victorian High Ability Program

Truganina College is proud to facilitate the Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP), an enriching learning extension opportunity that supports high-achieving students in Numeracy and Literacy. Delivered by specialist teachers from Virtual School Victoria and supported by our Lead Excellence and Equity team, VHAP empowers students to deepen their thinking and explore advanced concepts beyond the standard curriculum.

Term 2, 2025

In Term 2, we were thrilled to support 11 students across Years 5 to 8 in their VHAP journey. These students were selected by the Student Excellence Unit at the Department of Education based on key data points, including NAPLAN, PAT, and Teacher Judgement. Their participation marked a strong start to the year, with students engaging in challenging and thought-provoking learning experiences.

 

In VHAP in Secondary English in Term 2– Exploring Dystopia

Secondary English students read The Hive by Australian author AJ Betts, immersing themselves in the dystopian genre and critically examining the concept of a ‘perfect society.’ Students also explored a range of short stories and films, which helped them:

  • Compare and contrast texts
  • Identify common themes
  • Unpack authorial messages

They then planned, drafted, peer-reviewed, and published their own dystopian short stories, developing skills that will support their creative writing and literary analysis for years to come.

 

In VHAP in Mathematics – Patterns, Problem-Solving & Exploration

Primary Mathematics students investigated patterns, learning that mathematics is not just about finding one correct answer. They explored:

  • Number patterns
  • Alternative numeral systems

  • Cryptography

     

This approach encouraged students to view mathematics as a process of exploration and strategy, often with multiple solutions.

Secondary Mathematics students extended their thinking through topics such as:

  • Graph Theory
  • Palindromes
  • Square Roots
  • Fibonacci Sequence

These rich mathematical concepts challenged students to think critically and creatively.

Term 3, 2025 – Expanding Excellence

Building on the success of Term 2, Term 3 saw a significant expansion of the program, with 35 students from Years 5, 6, 7, and 8 participating in VHAP. We are excited to see such a strong representation of high-ability learners engaging in advanced literacy and numeracy tasks.

 

Looking Ahead

As we commence the Term 3, we are excited to continue supporting our VHAP students and look forward to the learning, growth, and achievements they will make throughout the remainder of the year.

 

Facilitators

It has been the pleasure of Naseem Sayeda and Lucy Francis to facilitate this opportunity for our students. Their dedication and enthusiasm have helped create a supportive and inspiring environment for high-ability learners.

 

 

 

 

 

Naseem Sayeda

High Ability Practice Leader