Learning extension

This is because we understand that every student is unique and may require a more tailored approach during their educational journey to nurture their talents and unlock their full potential.

This approach ensures that students’ academic development is considered alongside their emotional, social and physical development, noting that ‘high ability’ in one area can sometimes co-exist with deficits in another.

Learning extension may involve adjustments to teaching pace, curriculum delivery and the learning environment.

How is learning extension delivered?

The college’s teaching and learning coordinators work with highly able students – which includes gifted students – and their classroom teachers to carefully plan and coordinate learning extension through personalised pathways of study that may include one or all of the following:

• differentiated curriculum that stretches students’ knowledge, understanding and skills and maintains their curiosity and interest
• extension classes in English and Mathematics (junior years) and/or participation in the college’s Advanced English and Mathematics streams (Year 10 onwards)
• subject acceleration (where appropriate)
• participation in growth opportunities outside of school, such as relevant national and international competitions 
• participation in the Advanced Athlete Development Program and/or Arts Academy
• mentorship and support in the development of executive functioning skills* to help students maintain their social and emotional development alongside their chronological peers.

Highly able students who exhibit advanced executive functioning skills may also be eligible to access senior or university-level subjects while at school.

The college is committed to delivering ongoing professional development for teachers of highly able students and ensuring that learning occurs in a safe, inspired environment where all learners are valued.

*Executive functioning skills are the essential self-regulating skills that we all use every day to plan, organise, make decisions, and learn from past mistakes. They include impulse control, emotional control, flexible thinking, working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritising, task initiation and organisation.