1. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM “Accelerated progression is one of many strategies that schools may employ to respond to the academic and social needs of gifted students. When stated simply, it involves the promotion of a student to a level of study beyond that which is usual for their age. As an intervention tool acceleration has long been supported by research literature.”

2. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM The program proposed is designed to accelerate a selected group of students in one subject, i.e. H.S.I.E. or Maths. These students would complete Year 9 and 10 course content in one year and so would complete year 10 course work one year ahead of their current cohort. The content of the two H.S.I.E. courses would be compacted to accommodate the teaching and learning of their subject matter.

3. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM To provide students with an educational environment that challenges their abilities. Bright students can often become bored if not challenged and so underachieve. Research shows that acceleration, “should improve motivation, confidence and scholarship of gifted students and prevents the development of habits of mental laziness.” (BOS documentation; Passow, 1996) Bright students are capable of greater skill development at an earlier age. Students are also more likely to achieve when they are grouped with other students with whom they have things in common. (Janos and Robinson, 1985; Harrison, 1999)

4. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Students undertake a mandatory course of study for 100 hours in 20th Century Australian History and 100 hours in Australian Geography incorporating a study of Civics and Citizenship. YEAR 9 ONE Completing ONE semester of study in History in Year 9 (8 periods per cycle – two weeks) ONE Completing ONE semester of study in Geography in Year 9 (8 periods per cycle) AND YEAR 10 TWO Completing TWO semesters of study in History in Year 10 (4 periods per cycle) TWO Completing TWO semesters of study in Geography in Year 10 (4 periods per cycle) AND STUDENTS RECEIVE A TOTAL OF 320 FIFTY-MINUTE PERIODS (267 HOURS) DURING YR 9 AND YR 10 TO COMPLETE THEIR MANDATORY H.S.I.E. REQUIREMENTS.

5. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Selected students will undertake a program of study that involves the following per cycle: Six 50-minute periods per cycle in both Mandatory History and Mandatory Geography. EACH CYCLE, FOUR OF THESE PERIODS WILL BE TIMETABLED WITHIN THE NORMAL SCHOOL WEEK AND TWO WILL BE TIMETABLED EITHER AS A PERIOD O OR AS A PERIOD 7. Period 0 is taught before Roll Call and period 7 is taught after period 6. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A TOTAL OF 240 FIFTY-MINUTE PERIODS [200 H0URS] DURING YEAR 9 TO COMPLETE THEIR MANDATORY H.S.I.E. REQUIREMENTS. As support, students undertaking this program of study will also receive two to four Enrichment days during the year to focus on the development of key skills and content.

6. Selected students will undertake a program of study that involves the following per cycle: QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Eight 50-minute periods per cycle in Mathematics completed during school time. EACH CYCLE, TWO ADDITIONAL PERIODS WILL BE TIMETABLED EITHER AS A PERIOD O OR AS A PERIOD 7.

7. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Before making a final decision on a students inclusion within this program the Program Committee will review a variety of indicators including: The Year 7 NAPLAN. test results The school administered Torch Reading test results. Each students Years 7 and 8 results. Advice from the Year 8 Advisers and classroom teachers School Administered CARS reading and comprehension test. Parental/student choice as a result of this meeting Students complete a writing task.

8. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM WE ARE ONLY CONSIDERING STUDENTS FOR INCLUSION WITHIN THIS PROGRAM WHO, IN OUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, AFTER ANALYSING THE DATA GATHERED FROM THE SOURCES ABOVE CAN BE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A GRADE A IN THESE SUBJECTS ON THEIR CERTIFICATE OF ATTAINMENT. THERE WILL, HOWEVER, ALWAYS BE OTHER VARIABLES OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF Q.H.H.S THAT COULD AFFECT A STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE.

9. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Students undertaking this program of study must be aware that they are committing themselves to the following: An increased coursework load in History and Geography Attendance at two period 0’s or 7’s per week Academic maturity in regards to the quality and completion of submitted and class work A proportional increase in homework ASSESSMENT TASKS WILL REFLECT A YEAR 10 PROGRAM OF STUDY NOT A COMBINED YEAR 9 AND 10 PROGRAM OF STUDY. A commitment to let their teacher, head teacher or year adviser know if they are struggling

10. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Student progress will be carefully monitored and parents will be notified of problems as soon as one occurs. It is important to note that it is also the students responsibility to let their teacher, head teacher, or year adviser know if they are struggling with the workload. Other strategies will also be employed: Counselling with the Year Adviser, Head Teacher and classroom teacher Interviews with the parents If a parent or teacher decides that it is not in the best interest of the student to continue in the program then they can easily be placed into an existing Year 9 History or Geography class and continue their progression in Mandatory H.S.I.E. with their age cohort at no disadvantage to their studies.

11. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Our top 30 students will be “hot-housed” together for these subjects Students will be challenged Increased skill development in areas such as research method, critical analysis of sources and higher order thinking tasks which will assist all subjects Increased academic maturity Experience at sitting for one ROSA examination before having to complete the other three examinable courses being studied

12. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Experience at sitting for two year 10 courses (in 2015) before having to complete the other courses being studiedExperience at sitting for two year 10 courses (in 2015) before having to complete the other courses being studied Increased options in later yearsIncreased options in later years

13. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM IN 2016 STUDENTS WOULD BE EXPECTED TO CHOOSE TO EITHER: Accelerate into a Preliminary H.S.C. course in either Maths, Social Science or History Curriculum Areas. (This would be completed on the Q.H.H.S. campus.)

14. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM In 2017, upon attending Wyndham Senior College, they would complete the accelerated course chosen and sit for one subject at the HSC at the end of that year. In 2018 they would then be able to take an extension course in that subject, a first year university course, a TAFE course or possibly even another HSC course.

15. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Q1 – What are some skills you have gained from being part of the accelerated program? “I have learnt how to manage time more effectively” “I have learnt to have an open mind” “I have learnt how to work under pressure” “Better research skills” “Responsibility and a drive to do my best”

16. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Q2 – What skills would you say you need to be successful in the accelerated program? “Organisational skills, being able to focus on your work and work under stress, commitment” “Be prepared to learn different things quickly” “Hardworking, diligent and a team player. Someone willing to put in the hard work”

17. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Q3 – What would be your advice to someone considering being part of the accelerated program? “You’re going to need to be able to function in high pressure environments” “Be organised. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else. And go to bed early!” “Study a lot! And be respectful of your class mates learning because they end up helping you” “Don’t freak out. All the teachers that assist you help you all the way. Make sure the class becomes like a family, otherwise you’ll all get on each others nerves!”

18. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM

19. QUAKERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM Once you have decided that the accelerated program is right for you, you are required to write a letter of acceptance stating your willingness to be in the accelerated program. Your acceptance letter is to be handed to Miss Walker by Monday 27 th October 2014.