Glenunga International High School is a Department for Education Special Interest School offering high quality programs for students with high intellectual potential through the Ignite program.
Ignite Program for Gifted Learners
Our program has been successful for over 2 decades. Learn more about our Ignite Program offerings below. The Ignite program is also offered at The Heights School and Aberfoyle Park High School.
Gifted and talented learners generally understand concepts, abstractions and ideas beyond what would normally be expected at their age. This means the curriculum needs to be concept based and include complex, abstract ideas so that interests and abilities are challenged and extended.
The Ignite Program allows students to:
- Accelerate their learning at a rate that matches their ability;
- Have the opportunity to critically challenge and explore the depth and breadth of their thinking;
- Work in a classroom environment that focuses on building a holistic learner, with sustained focus on critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship;
- Have access to a range of enrichment opportunities.
At Glenunga, we know that giftedness can manifest itself in many different ways, and no two students are alike. Our purpose is to develop great learners and great people. This is reflected in the culture and ethos that underpins our Ignite Program.
This Ignite Ethos sits at the heart of the program and student learning is built on the foundation of:
- Building empathetic connections with others and yourself
- Engaging in intentional and meaningful collaboration
- Engaging in authentic and relevant learning
- Working through challenges productively
- Reflection and celebration of learning and progress.
For more information, please contact dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au.
Ignite Program Offerings
As part of welcoming Year 7 into high school, we have taken the opportunity to refine our Ignite Program while offering a range of programs to suit a range of students. Acceleration continues to underpin the program, but for 2024 we are exploring how we can utilise both vertical and horizontal acceleration.
From 2024 onwards our program will involve all Year 7 Ignite students experiencing an innovative and appropriately challenging curriculum for four terms, with increased opportunities to take responsibility for their growth, and to present their learnings in exciting ways.
As Year 7s move into Year 8, there will be greater opportunities for vertical acceleration. This approach will support all our Ignite learners to grow in more meaningful and intentional ways.
We understand that our younger students really benefit from a sustained focus on building their social and emotional skills, in addition to a flexible approach to extension and acceleration in their traditional academic learning.
Year 7 students will work with their mentors and specialised Ignite subject teachers with a focus on developing their socio-emotional maturity and their 21st Century skills such as Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking and Character as well as their discipline knowledge and understandings.
In Term 4 Year 7 students will present evidence in their Learner Conferences of their readiness for one of three pathways in Year 8 the following year:
- A compacted program which delivers Year 8 – 9 in one year
- Acceleration in particular subjects e.g. Maths, English, Languages
- An all-rounder Ignite experience moving rapidly and deeply across a range of subjects.
Given the dynamic nature of our teaching and learning, coupled with this new structure means that our placements in Year 8 in 2025 will look different.
Below you will find further general information about each offering:
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2025 Program Offering 1: The Compacted Program (8.00)
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There is greater emphasis on learning at a faster face and at a deeper level across all subjects within this offering. The Vertically Accelerated Compacted Program allows students to complete Years 7, 8 and 9 in two years instead of the normal three years. Students move into Year 10 in their third year at the school. They can choose to complete Years 11 and 12 in two or three years.
This program offers flexibility in Senior School and there are opportunities to study some university level subjects through Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, and University of South Australia whilst still at school. Students are also able to undertake the International Baccalaureate in Years 11 and 12 if they wish to.
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2025 Program Offering 2: Compacted Mathematics and Science (8.01)
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There is greater emphasis on learning at a faster pace and at a deeper level across Mathematics and Science subjects. This program offers flexibility in Senior School and there are opportunities to study some university level subjects through Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, and University of South Australia whilst still at school.
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2025 Program Offering 3: Holistic Education Groups (8.02 and 8.03)
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This program offers students the opportunity to develop and refine their gifts and talents across a range of disciplines. These students do not formally skip a year level, however they are given the opportunity to accelerate faster than the rest of the year cohort. They will experience enrichment and depth across multiple learning areas including English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities. Historically, Program Offering 3 caters for a range of students who display affinity and aptitude for multiple areas, including our core subjects and elective subjects such as Drama, Music, Languages, Technologies, Physical Education, etc.
Registrations for Year 7 in 2026
2025 Ignite Assessment for Year 7 2026 Entry
The ACER Ignite assessment will be held on 22 February 2025 for Year 6 students entering Year 7 the following year.
Registrations for the 2025 assessment are now open via the ACER Portal. Please see Registration Details below for registration link. Please note registration closes on Sunday 9 February 2025.
No late applications will be accepted.
The assessment comprises four parts, completed over a period of 3 to 5 hours with time allowed for a break.
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Abstract Reasoning
The test materials will be sent to the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) in Melbourne for marking. We anticipate results within nine to ten weeks. Please do not contact the school or ACER in relation to the results. You will receive notification of results by email.
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Eligibility
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The assessment is open to students in Year 6 at the time of the assessment. Year 5 students may apply to sit the assessment but are required to provide a signed letter of recommendation from their primary school principal. This letter must be sent to Glenunga prior to registering to sit the assessment.
- Please only apply to one Ignite School. Please register and sit the assessment at your first preference of Ignite School.
- Students can only sit the assessment once and only at one Ignite School.
- Students are encouraged to sit at the Ignite School they wish to attend in the following year.
- Rural and interstate students may have the opportunity to sit the assessment at their primary school provided we have principal approval. Please contact Glenunga prior to registration.
- Students not residing in Australia at the time of the assessment cannot register to sit the assessment. Eligible families must be residing in Australia. Ignite assessment cannot be administered overseas.
- Visa Subclass 500 holders: International students on a 500 visa currently living and studying in South Australia. Please contact the Ignite team prior to making a registration via dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au.
- Families can expect to receive the student ID in the week leading up to the assessment day via email.
- To request a fee refund, please contact the Ignite team via email at dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au and briefly explain your reason. Refunds will incur a fee. Once approved by the Ignite team, you will receive a partial refund only.
- School Card holders need to pay the full fee of $155. After registration, please email your 2024 School Card approval letter to dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au. We will then issue a refund of $130 after the registration closing date.
- No late applications will be accepted.
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Registration Details
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It is vital to read the above instructions including the ACER Parent Guide before starting your application.
Applications are via ACER, you can download the guide to online registrations here.
Please register for the assessment via the ACER Portal.
Registrations close Sunday 9 February 2025.
For any technical issues or if you have any queries about the online application system, please contact the ACER HAST team via hast@acer.org or call 03 9277 5625.
If you have any questions about your application, or for further information or if you have a query, please contact the Ignite Team via dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Selection is based on the student’s ACER results. Under our Capacity Management Plan, we select 100 students per yearly intake.
If there are extenuating circumstances relating to the taking of the Ignite exam for your student, or for any enquiries, please email the Ignite team at dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au or call 8379 5629.