IGNITE
Ignite Program for Gifted Children
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.
The IGNITE program is also offered at The Heights School and Aberfoyle Park High School.
We understand that gifted and talented learners generally understand concepts, abstractions and ideas beyond what would normally be expected at their age. Therefore 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:
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- Accelerate their learning at a rate commensurate with their ability and learner readiness;
- Be immersed in a class of their intellectual peers;
- 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.
Here at Glenunga, we know that giftedness can manifest itself in many different ways, and no two students are alike. Our moral purpose is to develop great learners and great people, and we have spent time building a great culture and ethos that underpins our Ignite Program. The Ignite Ethos sits at the heart of the program and student learning is built on the foundation of:
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- Building Empathetic Connections with Others and Yourself
- Intentional and Meaningful Collaboration
- Engaging in Authentic and Relevant Learning
- Working Through Challenges Productively
- Reflection and Celebration of Learning and Progress.
Our program has been successful for over 2 decades and it is a strong drawcard for our community, and successful for students. In line with our move towards Year 7 into High School we have taken the opportunity to refine our Ignite Program. We are working with the notion that acceleration underpins the Ignite Program, but exploring how we can utilise both vertical and horizontal acceleration. In saying this we offer a range of programs to suit a range of students.
Program Offering 1: The Compacted Program (7.00)
There is greater emphasis on learning at a faster face and at a deeper level across all subjects within this offering. Students who score highly in the ACER assessment may be considered for the Vertically Accelerated Compacted Program which allows students to complete Years 7, 8 and 9 in two years instead of the normal three years. Students undertake Year 7, 8 and 9 in two years, and will move into Year 10 in their third year at the school. Students 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 UniSa whilst still at school. Students are also open to undertaking the IB in Years 11 and 12 if they wish to.
Key Points
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- Vertical Acceleration in Core Subjects.
- Students can expect to complete Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 Mathematics, Science, English and Humanities in 3 years instead of the standard 4 years.
- Entry is through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) assessment and a school interview.
- Challenging and Compacted Curriculum in Middle School with Flexibility in the Senior School (Year 11 and 12).
Program Offering 2: Compacted Mathematics and Science (7.01)
There is greater emphasis on learning at a faster pace and at a deeper level across Mathematics and Science subjects within this offering. Students who score highly in the ACER assessment may be considered for the Vertically Accelerated Maths/Science Program which allows students to complete Years 7, 8 and 9 Maths/Science in two years instead of the normal 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 UniSa whilst still at school. Students are also open to undertaking the IB in Years 11 and 12 if they wish to.
Program Offering 3: Holistic Education Groups (7.02 & 7.03)
This program offers students the opportunity to develop and hone their gifts and talents across a range of disciplines. While these students do not experience vertical acceleration in the form of grade skipping, these students are given chances to enrichment and depth across learning areas. Our Learning Areas have developed specialist programs to incite curiosity and deep learning for Ignite Holistic Education Groups. Within English we offer the study of enriching and complex texts with connections to real-world issues, and the study of advanced literary techniques. Humanities offers an integrated approach to History, Geography, and Civics & Citizenship in year 7. Humanities subjects have a honed focus on historical and geographical contexts, issues and case studies. All Ignite Groups experience a unique Ignite Maths and Science experience different from the mainstream. 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 and Physical Education etc.
For more information, please contact dl.0927.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au.