Victorian High Ability Program

Virtual School Victoria is delivering the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) to high-ability students in Years 5-8, at all Victorian State Schools.

VHAP consists of ten-week online courses in Mathematics and English for both primary and secondary levels. Students engage in synchronous Webex classes with their teachers. They can also engage with the course material on VSV Online outside of the class time.

The VHAP classroom provides students with the opportunity to:

• explore and express their ideas freely
• make their own decisions about their work
• be inspired and challenged by each other
• gain confidence in their choices and abilities
• feel excited by their learning.

In the VHAP English course, we explore links between reality and fiction by observing the world around us and our journeys into fictional worlds. VHAP English empowers students through cultivating confidence and a willingness to take academic risks.

In the VHAP maths course, students embrace the “why” of maths, not just the “what”. Students and teachers dive into the philosophical implications of mathematical topics.

There are opportunities for differentiation within the course. Students can choose to work at a pace comfortable for them or be extended.

VHAP promotes development of key skills such as teamwork, collaboration and resilience.

The program is a safe space for high-ability students to stretch their wings, encounter change and challenge, and confront fears around making “mistakes.”

Victorian High Ability Program

GATEWAYS Program

Donvale is a host school for the G.A.T.E.WAYS program. This program derives its name from the idea that the sessions cater for gifted and talented students although at Donvale we believe in all students having the opportunity to participate. This independently run organisation conducts rich educational programs in a variety of curriculum areas across three levels of the school; grade one/two, grade three/four, and grade five/six.

This year our school will be hosting programs in terms two, three and four. The benefit of being a host school is that in each of the programs several places are always reserved for Donvale P.S. students. As these programs are highly sought after and difficult to obtain a place in, this is a wonderful opportunity for our students.

G.A.T.E.WAYS Website