High Potential Learners
Janelle Santolin
Leader of Pedagogy
WELCOME TO ST MARY’S HIGH POTENTIAL LEARNERS PROGRAM
The introduction of the High Potential Learners (HPL) program at St Mary’s has had a very successful start. We have four Year 7 HPL classes and are also pleased to announce the introduction of two HPL classes in Year 8.
Our Year 7 HPL classes and teachers include:
Maths - Mr Oxford, English - Ms Santolin, Science - Ms Zappala and Humanities - Ms Benedetti.
In Year 8 the classes and teachers include:
English - Ms Dale, Science - Mrs Chapman.
Our students in these classes are already exhibiting high levels of engagement and enthusiasm. We invite you to read on for more details on each HPL subject.
HPL Maths
In HPL Maths we have been working on some number skills that are required in Year 7, but also investigating further by incorporating algebra where possible. For instance, you may find it easy to find the lowest common multiple of 3 and 5, but how about 3x and 5y? Students have been enjoying the extra thinking that is required in such abstract concepts.
HPL Science
HPL Science students have an exciting opportunity to interact with Australia's most beloved science communicator, Dr Karl, in Term 3. Dr Karl will be on hand via zoom to answer students’ weird and wonderful science questions. Our HPL students are already wondering “What are Emotions?” or what is “The Butterfly Effect”? In the meantime, HPL science classes have taken to scientific inquiry and practical experiments to answer questions of their own. The students in Year 8 can be seen seeking answers to their inquiry question of “How can we transfer energy using electrical circuits?”.
HPL Humanities
In HPL Humanities, students are working diligently on enhancing their historical inquiry skills to become critical researchers, thinkers and creators. They have had an exciting start to the term, looking into the Ancient Past and Ancient Egypt. Moving forward, the students will be conducting in-depth source analysis to gain a better understanding of the many versions of history and what can be interpreted from primary evidence.
HPL English
In Year 7, students have had the opportunity to put pen to paper to explain how their identities align with St Mary’s, and have reflected on how these similarities will allow them to flourish in their new learning environment. They have also offered wonderful feedback on what elements of English they have enjoyed in the past. It was fabulous to hear that so many students love to write and express their opinions.
Students in Year 8 HPL English have been exploring the concept of technology by engaging with video games. After learning about the different gaming genres and the elements that make up these games, they started to examine the advantages - or disadvantages - of games in society and in education. They have had the chance to form their own opinion about the benefits of gaming and will soon have the opportunity to persuade an audience to accept their perspective.
SMCC Writing space naming competition
With such prolific writers in our HPL program, we have identified a need to have a SMCC author’s space on our website where we can publish our students’ high quality texts. This publishing space will be open to all students at St Mary’s and will be a place of celebration and recognition of student work. At the moment however, we have yet to determine a name for this space. We invite all families to enter our naming competition and suggest an appropriate name for our publishing space. Please email your entries to jsantolin@cns.catholic.edu.au
Entries close 21st February, 2021.