On Wednesday night 29 May 2019, around 30 parents attended the launch of Stuartholme’s High Academic Potential Student (HAPS) Program. On the night, Michael Elliott, Stuartholme’s Director of Enrichment, outlined the aims of the program and the processes the school will be using to differentiate the curriculum for girls who show high academic potential.
Whilst Stuartholme offers a rich educational environment with wide-ranging co-curricular activities, the focus of the HAPS program will be tailoring the day-to day curriculum experienced by the girls to ensure Stuartholme’s highest academic achievers are challenged and extended. Michael told parents that there is a widely-held belief that children with high academic potential will make their way no matter the educational environment. However, that isn’t the case. A one-size-fits-all model of schooling under-serves all students. As well, a significant body of research suggests that academically gifted girls, in particular need to be catered for if their potential is to be fully realised.
Michael used a range of data including PAT tests scores, NAPLAN results and in-school academic achievement to identify around 10 girls in each of Years 7, 8 and 9 whose academic ability would place them in the top 10% of their age group nationally. These girls will have an individual learning plan developed for them that will set out how the core curriculum will be modified to ensure they continue to be challenged and extended.
Strategies that will be considered as part of each girl’s individual learning plan include:
- acceleration
- alternative assessment
- individual project based learning
- small group withdrawal.
The program reflects Stuartholme’s individualised approach to teaching and learning and its call for each girl “To be the best she can be”.
Find out more about how Stuartholme can help your daughter reach her potential.
