High Ability Program

We are excited to share with you the continuation of our High Ability Program at Year 7 & 9 after the highly successful introduction of this program at GSSC last year.

Application process

Entry into the High Ability Program is via:

An assessment which mirrors the General Achieve Test and tests student’s critical thinking abilities and capacity to write and;

GSSC working in consultation with primary schools and Year 8 teachers to gather a range of data including from NAPLAN and Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), as well as Semester Reports.

Assessment details

Students may apply to sit the High Ability Program assessment to be considered for entry. Assessments will take place on the following days.

9.30am to 11.45am on Saturday August 23rd and;

9.30am to 11.45am on Sunday August 24th.

This will be held in the Enterprise building on Hawdon St. Laptops will be provided to students to complete testing.

Grade 6 students who get shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview. Students will be asked to bring their NAPLAN results with them.

Next steps

Families may express their interest to undertake the High Ability Program assessment by completing this form

Year 7: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/unpYjZ99ZY

Year 9: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/sjABQMX6Qr

Applications close on Friday August 15.

Based on assessment results, GSSC will shortlist students and make final selections through a cross-reference with data from primary and secondary schools, including results from PAT testing and effort and attitude comments in Semester Reports.

When completing the EOI form, please indicate your consent for GSSC to access this data via your child’s primary school.

More information

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Stacie Lundberg, Curriculum and Pedagogy Assistant Principal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen in the assessment?
Students will need to arrive at the GSSC main office at 9.00am for a 9.30am start. Parents/guardians are asked to return to the main office to collect their child at 11.45am.

The first section of the assessment is a General Ability Test, consisting of 30 to 40 questions. This is a 50-minute test.

Students are assessed on their ability to reason, make logical deductions, identify connections and spot patterns.

Students must think critically to solve simple, multi-step and non-routine problems.

Following this, students will be given a break before undertaking a 35-minute critical thinking test and a 25-minute e-Write test.

What can my child do to prepare for the assessment?

The assessment does not require any prior knowledge from any content area.

The General Ability Test includes engaging questions that encourage students to think outside the box. The aim is to assess beyond the curriculum, enabling students to demonstrate their full range of abilities and skills that will be required as part of the Years 7 and 9 High Ability Program.

The eWrite test will look at students writing and literacy skills while the Critical Reasoning test will assess a fundamental subset of the skills that constitute critical thinking, namely those that relate to the analysis and evaluation of ideas and arguments.  

What does my child need to bring to the assessment?

Laptops will be provided by GSSC for students to complete testing online and expectations of students are similar to those in exams.

Students may wish to bring a notebook, dictionary and stationery including grey lead pencils, a sharpener, eraser and highlighters, however these are not required and would only be used for their own note taking. Stationery needs to be placed in a clear container, such as a zip lock bag.

Electronic devices including mobile phones, AirPods/headphones, iPads and tablets, personal laptops and smart watches / fitness trackers are not permitted.

If your child needs to bring a mobile phone, they will be asked to hand this in prior to the assessment and this will be provided at the end of the testing period.

There will be a short break so students may wish to bring a light snack and a water bottle.

What if I can’t make either date for the assessment?

We have provided two dates to offer as much flexibility as possible to families. (Both dates are during the school holidays)

If your child is interested in being a part of this program, please make every effort to make yourself available for one of these dates.

If in extenuating circumstances you cannot attend either of these dates, please reach out to Stacie Lundberg, Assistant Principal Curriculum and Pedagogy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We cannot guarantee the possibility of additional dates or times for testing.

What happens after the assessment?

Based on assessment results, GSSC will shortlist students by cross-referencing with data from primary schools and Year 8, including results from, Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT testing) and effort and attitude comments in Semester Reports.

When completing the Expression of Interest form, you will be asked to provide your consent for GSSC to liaise with your child’s primary school to access this data.

From here, 25 students will be selected to take part in the program at each year level. Letters of offer will be emailed to families by Friday, October 10. Families need to accept their place in the program by Friday, October 17.

What is the point of difference with the High Ability Program?

The High Ability Program is designed for students who would gain from further challenges in critical thinking and collaboration. Following the Victorian curriculum and adopting 21st century learning techniques, this program will allow students to delve deeper into subject areas as they move through their junior secondary schooling years.

It is aimed to prepare students for the rigor of senior secondary school and the supplementary skills that are taught will support students wishing to apply to fast-track subjects in Years 10 and 11.

The added benefit of this program for Year 7 students is that students will remain with these same group of students through Years 7, 8 and 9 as part of their core class. At Year 7 and Year 9, this program places students together who are of similar academic abilities and who are looking for an extra challenge in their learning.

High Ability Program teaching staff have also undertaken additional professional learning to lead these classes.

How do I know if this program is right for my child?

Your child’s academic achievements during primary school should provide you with an indication on whether the High Ability Program will be a good fit. If your child has consistently performed above standard or thrives on being challenged, then this program may provide them with the extension required to support them on this trajectory.

If you are unsure, your best port of call would be to speak with your child’s current teacher.

For incoming Year 7 students
Will my child still attend classes with friends from their primary school?

This position overrides our usual process of class allocations, including student friendships and siblings within the school. However, as part of this program your student will be part of our Neighbourhood and a House. Within this Neighbourhood and House, your child is likely to have a friend, as well as in their elective subjects in future years.

Our vertical Home Groups also provide another opportunity for students to meet with their peers from across different year levels and to get to know students within their house.

During recess and lunchtimes, students are free to catch-up with their friends and there’s plenty to do. We have two canteens, four basketball courts, a volleyball court, outdoor table tennis, a large oval and beautiful courtyards, gardens and outdoor seating for students to eat and spend time together. We also run a large program of clubs and activities during recess, lunchtime and after school. There are more than 20 clubs to choose from including the Anime, Gardening, Board Games, Dungeons and Dragons, Book Club, Camera Club, eSports and Karate Clubs.

Our three neighbourhood libraries are also open at various recess and lunchtimes throughout the week for students seeking some quiet or downtime.

Throughout the year, there will also be many opportunities for Year 7s to come together, such as at our Big Day Out excursions, at sports days and whole school assemblies and celebrations.

If my child is not placed with friends, how will I know they’re supported?

We will make every effort to ensure your child feels supported in their transition to secondary school. During Terms 3 and 4 we have an extensive transition program, which allows students many opportunities to come into the school, to get a feel for our campus, structure and to meet key staff and fellow peers.

In addition to the Statewide Transition Day on Tuesday, December 10, we are also looking to host a welcome afternoon specifically for High Ability Program families. This will allow students and families to meet each other, as well as key program staff. Here we will take families through the expectations and structure for 2026.

Your child will still have access to the same staff as their peers. This includes their Home Group teacher who they will start each day and their House Leader who they can go to with any general concerns. Our friendly Neighbourhood Reception staff will also greet your child at the beginning and end of each day and can help with anything from checking classes, to finding out information and contacting home.

In addition to this, your child will be supported by Stacie Lundberg, Assistant Principle of Curriculum and Pedagogy, who oversees the High Abilities classes, Years 7 to 9 Sub-School Leader and a Neighbourhood Principal. These staff are leaders within the College, assigned specifically to your child’s neighbourhood.

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