High Ability
Celebrating Excellence: Our Enrichment Program for Highly Able Students
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are thrilled to share the exciting initiatives we have planned for our highly able students this year as part of our Enrichment Program. At Robbie Mac, we are committed to providing opportunities that challenge and inspire our students to explore advanced concepts, develop their skills, and nurture their passions across a variety of disciplines.
Our Enrichment Program is designed to extend learning in key areas such as Literacy, Mathematics, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Below is an overview of the activities and focus areas that will guide our students toward excellence:
Literacy
Facilitator: Jess Lipscombe
Focus: Creative Writing and Core Knowledge Materials
This year, students will embark on an exciting creative writing journey inspired by the theme of Vikings, using Core Knowledge materials as a stimulus.
- Homework: Students will begin crafting their own stories at home to complement their sessions.
- Sessions: per term
- Grades 5/6: 2 sessions
- Grades 3/4: 2 sessions
- Grades 1/2: 2 sessions
Selection Criteria:
Students are selected based on teacher identification of both excellence and interest using comparative judgement and moderation of writing samples.
Students took part in the first of our literacy workshops of the year, an in-depth look into the Viking Age. We explored who the Vikings were, as well as the broader Norse society that they belonged to. We discovered the Gods and Goddesses of the Norse religion, the travel and settlements that were so key to the Viking story and have begun to investigate the structure of Norse society. Students delved enthusiastically into the subject matter, and I thank them for their insightful questions and reflections, and engagement with the material. I leave to the students to explain what they have learnt in our initial explorations. Jess Lipscombe.
Scarlett (excerpt)
“Vikings are people who travel the world in big ships. Vikings come from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The thing I enjoyed the most was learning about all the Norse Gods and their sad stories. For me it was a different but an interesting topic.”
Disha (excerpt)
“What I’ve most enjoyed learning about Vikings is their Norse Gods. My personal favourite is the goddess of the Underworld (aka Hel). She is the daughter of Loki (another Norse god). Half her face is a monster and the other is human. She manages all the people who have died and gone to the Underworld.”
Tilly (excerpt)
“Vikings were […] ferocious, greedy and they stole and claimed land. They are from Nordic countries.”
Anna (excerpt)
“In 790 BC, also known as the 8th century, Viking civilisation started. The Vikings were the group of people who sailed to other countries on longships and stole items. People feared the Vikings and they were like ferocious pirates. They travelled to Persia and to Iceland until Erik found a country which he named Greenland. The reason why it was named Greenland wasn’t because it was green but was to encourage people to come. It was really just cold.”
An illustration of the Norse Goddess Skadi (left) and a Viking raider (right), Joanna.
STEAM
Facilitator: Mel Browne
Focus: Hands-On STEAM Challenges
Each term, students will participate in full-day workshops designed to spark creativity and problem-solving skills.
Term 1 Grades 5/6
Students worked collaboratively to build Rube Goldberg machines—an engaging challenge that combined engineering, coding, and teamwork. A Rube Goldberg machine is a complex, chain-reaction contraption that performs a simple task in an incredibly creative way. In this program, the brief was to design and create a letter box that will alert you when you have mail—using a series of interconnected steps and components.
Please click on the picture below to see our day in action
https://youtu.be/QgSrCKGZgAg?feature=shared
Students selected for these workshops were chosen based on teacher assessments of their coding abilities and creativity in problem solving.
Mathematics
Facilitator: Cam Batt
Focus: Maths Olympiad (Grades 5/6) and Maths Explorer Program (Grades 3/4)
Our mathematics enrichment program began in Term 1. Weekly sessions will run on Mondays during class time, preparing students for active participation in the competitions during Terms 2 and 3. Students will be developing their problem-solving skills by learning different strategies to answer worded questions.
In our first two sessions, students have been working collaboratively with their peers to solve the Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad’s (APSMO) ‘Problem of the Week’ challenges and contest preparation materials.
Additionally, we plan to introduce an extension program later in the year for high-achieving Year 1/2 students in Numeracy.
Selection Criteria:
Students will be selected based on the following data points:
- PAT Data
- Essential Assessment Data
- Semester 2, 2024 Maths Progression Points
- Classroom Teacher Feedback
Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)
We are proud to offer the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP), a state-run enrichment initiative that connects high-achieving students with challenging material in English or Mathematics while fostering collaboration with like-minded peers.
VHAP English Course:
Students explore links between reality and fiction by observing the world around them and venturing into imaginative realms. This program empowers students to take academic risks with confidence while honing their creative thinking skills.
VHAP Mathematics Course:
In VHAP Maths, students delve into the deeper "why" of mathematics rather than just the "what." Together with their teachers, they explore philosophical implications of
mathematical concepts while enhancing their problem-solving abilities.
Selection Process:
Students are chosen by the Department of Education using a selection algorithm that considers achievement data such as NAPLAN scores and teacher judgements.
Upcoming Events
Watch this space for photos and recounts from these events, as we look forward to sharing the highlights with you!
We are immensely proud of our commitment to nurturing the talents of our highly able students through these enriching programs. If you have any questions or suggestions about the activities outlined above or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can continue to support our students in reaching their full potential!
Warm regards,
Melinda Browne