Enhancement Program for talented and high achieving students

Forest Hill College is committed to catering for students' differing abilities.  All students are encouraged to do their personal best and we look for opportunities to celebrate and enhance the full range of students' talents through their learning.  Research suggests that when talented students are provided with opportunities to work together in a classroom environment they are able to challenge each other and achieve better academic outcomes.  To cater more effectively for talented students, Forest Hill College is introducing the S.T.E.M. Program, for year 7 students, in 2010.

The S.T.E.M. Program is an enhancement program for talented students requiring work that enriches and extends them in the areas of Science, digital learning Technologies, English and Mathematices (S.T.E.M.).  Emphasis will be placed on inquiry-based learning, higher order thinking and problem solving.

We all learn in different ways.  Some of us may learn best through experimenting or doing, others may prefer to read or follow instructions.  Some of us have highly creative minds and others are more analytical.  In the S.T.E.M. Program, students will be encouraged to optimise their preferred thinking and learning style, while developing others.

 The S.T.E.M. Program will ensure that all students are continually challenged with work that is appropriate to their individual abilities and ensure ample opportunities to work with other talented students.   It will provide a challenging, technology-rich environment in four areas of core study: Science, digital learning Technologies, English and Mathematics.   The rest of the program will be delivered in a mixed ability classroom environment, allowing all students to learn from each other and continue to develop in their ability to work with a range of students.  This is a key feature of the Forest Hill College program and ensures that no one class or group is isolated from the Year 7 cohort.

The S.T.E.M. program will cater for approximately 20 Year 7 students in 2010 and will continue into Year 8 and Year 9, dependent on the student's continued academic performance.  In Year 10, students will have access to a range of VCE subjects and challenging electives.

Selection Process for 2011 Year 7

Students wishing to be considered for the S.T.E.M. Program in 2011 will be required to sit the Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) from the Australian Council for Educational Research.  An interview process will take place after the testing date.  For more information on the actual test, please click here.

Applications for the 2011 program have now closed.  The Higher Ability Selection Test took place at the College on Saturday the 5th of June and further details will be sent to applicants once test results are known.