High Achiever Program

The High Achiever Program at FGSC runs from years 7 to 9, with further enrichment opportunities outside the program in those year levels and within the year 10 subject choices.

Students will need to apply, or be identified by the college, each year to be a part of the program in the following year.

Prospective Year 7 Students must ensure they have a confirmed enrolment in August before they can apply. Application reminders will be sent to all families with the enrolment confirmation.

All year 7 applicants will need to forward NAPLAN data and other evidence to support the application, and will need to sit Literacy, Numeracy and Aptitude testing early in term 4 to be eligible for selection. Students in years 8 to 10 will have their data considered by the college.

Key Dates

New Enrolments

Anyone enrolling during the year will be asked if they would like to have their data considered for HAP opportunities. Please indicate yes at this stage of the enrolment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I apply?

  Please use the registration link which takes you through the process. You will be prompted to add the attachments and information we need.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Students will need to have diagnostic data that is, at a minimum at the age-appropriate expected level of understanding in literacy and numeracy. Most likely, students will be working at a higher than expected level of understanding in at least one – if not both – of these areas.

  Students will also need to have positive learning behaviours, whereby they require minimal teacher intervention regarding classroom behaviour. The students will have their critical and creative thinking processes and behaviours strengthened within the program, so being open to this work is also required.

• I missed the expression of interest dates – what should I do?

  Contact the college as soon as possible. This way we can advise you of the places available, and wait list options. It is also possible that your child can be given the extracurricular opportunities offered.

• What diagnostic data do you use?

  We look at NAPLAN results and use tests from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). These tests are run at the college and assess reading comprehension PAT-R (Progressive Achievement Test Reading), and Numeracy skills PAT-M (Progressive Achievement test Mathematics).
  We also use the AGAT (Australian General Ability Test) to confirm data.

• What will my child get out the HAP class?

  We recognise that students demonstrating a strong academic potential learn better when they are surrounded by like-minded peers. Such students need to be given regular opportunities to go beyond surface level knowledge and develop their critical thinking, problem solving and creative skills. Our High Achiever Program offers engaged learners a more challenging and diverse curriculum designed to enhance these skills.

  The program’s purpose is:

  • To offer a challenging academic program for students in order to extend their learning.
  • To provide more focus on deep learning. This includes providing work that targets the students’ critical and creative thinking skills, their problem solving skills and their inquiry skills.
  • To build a learning culture wherein like-minded students learn from and challenge each other.
• What if my child does not receive an offer?

  Any student who expresses interest, but doesn’t receive an offer, will be offered their diagnostic data as feedback. The feedback will contain information regarding suggested areas of focus. This will allow students and families opportunities to hone skills for future expressions of interest.

• Can I have my child’s Year 7 HAP place confirmed before July the 2nd?

  Departmental legislation requires Secondary Schools to adhere to policies surrounding enrolments, and placements must be secured at the college before any HAP offers are made. Primary schools will confirm your place with us on July the 1^st and we will confirm HAP expressions of interest and diagnostic testing dates after this.

• What should the endorsement from my Primary School teacher include?

  Your Primary School teacher will know you best and will detail your Learning Behaviours. This could include your:

  • organisational skills
  • working stamina
  • writing skills and stamina to complete sustained pieces of writing
  • reading stamina
  • problems solving skills

  And the way you:

  • approach difficult tasks
  • encourage collaboration and teamwork with peers
  • apply feedback
  • use new opportunities to strengthen your skills and understanding
• My child wants to do HAP, Rugby Academy and VCE units 1 and 2 in year 10 – can they do all of this?

  Our aim is to offer as many opportunities as we can for students, but there are times when your child may have to choose between one opportunity and another. They may be able to access most of their preferred extra programs but you (and they) will need to be mindful there could be times when they need to make a clear choice.

  In these cases, we encourage students and families to consider their current desires and future needs knowing that some opportunities can be taken up from year 11 if need be.

  The best time to discuss these pathway choices and options would be within the course counselling session so an informed choice can be made.