FPS Newsletter

High-Ability Programs

Victorian High Ability Program & Victorian Challenge Series

The Victorian Government has committed $60.2 million to provide additional support for high-ability students in 2020 – 2022 by offering two programs to primary and secondary schools:

  • The Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)
  • The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series

These programs will support the learning, engagement and wellbeing of high-ability students across Victoria alongside building teacher capability to cater for the needs of this large cohort of students. A high-ability student is defined as one who typically operates (or have the capacity to operate) significantly above their expected level in one or more areas of the curriculum.

 

The Victorian High-Ability Program—VHAP (For Year 5&6 Students)

This 10-week virtual extension program challenges students in Years 5 – 8 in English and Mathematics, however, it is not designed to accelerate students through core Victorian Curriculum content. The program will:

  • Focus on tasks that stimulate students’ inferential thinking, problem solving and creativity.
  • Enrich students’ understanding of the study of Mathematics and English.
  • Prioritise risk-taking and metacognition.

Student Selection

  • The Department of Education selects students to participate in the VHAP. Selection is based on NAPLAN results and teacher judgements.
  • FPS has already contacted parents of children selected by the Department.

 

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (For Year 3 – 6 Students)

Commencing in term four, the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series will include a wide variety of virtual webinars, incursions and excursions designed to extend and enrich students’ learning. The series of excursions and incursions will include activities across all areas of the curriculum, and will be delivered face-to-face and virtually by expert education and not-for-profit organisations, Tech Schools and science and mathematics specialist centres.

 

Student Selection

  • Schools nominate students to take part in activities from the series – in relation to their abilities and interests. Teachers will select students based on their strong content knowledge in one of the areas of the curriculum, (from the arts to science, literacy and numeracy) and the student’s ability to work independently and problem solve.
  • FPS will contact the parents of students selected for the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series by the end of week 1, term 4.