High Potential & Extension

Evening of Eminence: This is a project that spans Terms 3 and 4, where each participating student will choose a well-known person, who has made a positive impact on the world, to learn about and present on. Each week they complete a new task, building up both their portfolio of work and knowledge of their chosen person. Among other things, they will write, create artworks, draw maps, create historical timelines and discover how Mathematics and Science relate to their chosen eminent person. Towards the end of Term 4, all their effort and creativity come together as they deliver a speech and showcase a display of their wonderful work. Parents and friends are invited to enjoy a fabulous evening where they get to meet and walk around interviewing these incredible people who have changed our world for the better.

da Vinci Decathlon: The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition. The decathlon is held each year at Knox Grammar is Sydney. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative producers, Cartography and Legacy.

Debating: Weekly lunchtime practice plus debates throughout the year in the HCCDC (Regional) and ANVDC (National) competitions.

ICAS: Parents/carers sign up their children to participate. ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) is an academic competition designed to challenge and recognise students' skills in subjects like English, Maths, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies, with a focus on higher-order thinking and problem-solving

Spelling Bee: The top spellers in Years 7 to 10 have the opportunity to compete in our annual Spelling Bee.

What Matters Writing Competition: An opportunity to have their voice heard in this National competition. Students may submit fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of up to 600 words.

Words on the Waves Competition: An opportunity for Year 7 to 9 students to exercise their creativity in this regional competition, as they submit fiction of up to 1000 words.

Australian History Competition

ANZAC Day: Selected students will help to lead our school through this significant ceremony at the beginning of Term 2.

da Vinci Decathlon: The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition. The decathlon is held each year at Knox Grammar in Sydney. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative producers, Cartography and Legacy.

Evening of Eminence: This is a project that spans Terms 3 and 4, where each participating student will choose a well-known person, who has made a positive impact on the world, to learn about and present on. Each week they complete a new task, building up both their portfolio of work and knowledge of their chosen person. Among other things, they will write, create artworks, draw maps, create historical timelines and discover how Mathematics and Science relate to their chosen eminent person. Towards the end of Term 4, all their effort and creativity come together as they deliver a speech and showcase a display of their wonderful work. Parents and friends are invited to enjoy a fabulous evening where they get to meet and walk around interviewing these incredible people who have changed our world for the better.

History Week: students volunteer to help with History Week activities

History Mastermind Competition: (Year 10)

PAMS Scholarship: (Years 10 & 11)

Kokoda Scholarship: (Years 11 and 12)

Simpson History Essay Writing Competition: (Years 9 & 10)

MUNA: Model United Nations Assembly (Year 10)

Mock Trials: (Year 10 & 11 Legal Studies students)

Big Science Competition: This is a 50-minute, mixed format online competition testing science knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Science and Engineering Challenge - A team of 32 Years 9 and 10 students compete at the University of Newcastle against other schools in fun and engaging hands-on activities such as designing an earthquake-proof tower, building a hovercraft or bridge, providing electricity to a city or creating an environmentally friendly house.

Build Me a Future STEM Challenge – A team of 32 Years 7 and 8 students participate in competitive, hands-on STEM challenges, learn how STEM careers can make a positive impact in the world and explore facilities at the University of Newcastle.

Chess: After-school chess workshops are held throughout the year, run by the Sydney Academy of Chess.

da Vinci Decathlon: The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition. The decathlon is held each year at Knox Grammar in Sydney. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative producers, Cartography and Legacy.

Evening of Eminence: This is a project that spans Terms 3 and 4, where each participating student will choose a well-known person, who has made a positive impact on the world, to learn about and present on. Each week they complete a new task, building up both their portfolio of work and knowledge of their chosen person. Among other things, they will write, create artworks, draw maps, create historical timelines and discover how Mathematics and Science relate to their chosen eminent person. Towards the end of Term 4, all their effort and creativity come together as they deliver a speech and showcase a display of their wonderful work. Parents and friends are invited to enjoy a fabulous evening where they get to meet and walk around interviewing these incredible people who have changed our world for the better.

Mathematics Competitions: Selected students have the opportunity to complete challenges and competitions during extension Mathematics lessons. These include:

• APSMO Maths Olympiad (Years 7 & 8)
• Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge (Years 7 & 8)

ICAS: Parents/carers sign up their children to participate. ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) is an academic competition designed to challenge and recognise students' skills in subjects like English, Maths, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies, with a focus on higher-order thinking and problem-solving

Science Fair: The Term 2 Science Fair project is an opportunity for students to utilise the Scientific Method to extend themselves in an area of personal interest.