The Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP)

The Victorian High Ability Program focuses students on tasks that stimulate critical thinking, problem solving and creativity – enriching their understanding of English and Mathematics. The program does not focus on accelerating students through core Victorian Curriculum content, instead students will be pushed out of their learning comfort zone to become critical thinkers.

The Victorian High‐Ability Program (VHAP) is delivered online and students engage with the program in both synchronous and asynchronous learning with a teacher using Virtual Schools Victoria. As part of the program students complete the following tasks:

• Synchronous Learning

Over 10 sessions, they will attend one 55‐minute synchronous online lesson per week with their online teacher.
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• Asynchronous Learning

Outside of the allocated time, students will complete further activities. It is anticipated that this will take students approximately 30‐40 minutes per session.

Student Selection
Only students who have been selected by the Department of Education and Training are able to participate in the program. As part of the selection process, the Department will analyse student achievement data to assess student readiness and ability to participate in this program. Selected students will only be offered a place in up to one course each term. This is to balance the load on students of additional course work outside of core subjects and to minimise the impact of missing more than ten regular classes per term.
Students will be invited to participate across multiple years if they are deemed eligible.

COURSES
Patterns: From Symbols to Secrets (primary mathematics Years 5 – 6)
This course will encourage students to discover that mathematics is not about ‘getting to the answer’, by demonstrating there are often multiple solutions and multiple strategies. Students will explore concepts that are not usually covered in the primary mathematics curriculum, such as number patterns, alternative numeral systems and cryptography. They will be pushed to view mathematics as a process of exploration, and encouraged to ask questions, make conjectures, and test ideas.

The Power of the Pen (primary English Years 5 – 6)
This course will help students explore the purpose and impact of writing. They will consider a world without writing, examine the history of writing, and have the opportunity to extend their story writing skills. They will engage in narrative masterclasses focused on plot, character, setting, perspective, voice and genre. They will explore humorous and optimistic texts, the difference between writing to control and writing to empower, and the ways in which writing can change hearts and minds.