Student Excellence Program

At our school, we hold high expectations for all learners and are committed to providing learning opportunities that challenge, extend and inspire every student to achieve their personal best.

Through the Student Excellence Program, we offer a range of targeted initiatives that support high-ability students while continuing to build teacher capability in effective differentiation, extension and evidence-based teaching practice. These programs align with our School Strategic Plan focus on maximising student growth, engagement and achievement.

Victorian High-Ability Program

The Victorian High-Ability Program provides selected students in Years 5 to 8 with the opportunity to participate in a 10-week online extension and enrichment program in English and Mathematics.

Delivered by Virtual School Victoria, the program offers challenging, high-quality learning experiences designed to extend students’ thinking, deepen conceptual understanding and build confidence as learners.

Selection for the program is centrally managed by the Department of Education and is based on academic performance data. Families of students who are selected will be contacted by the school with further information about participation and expectations.

Maths Olympiad

The Maths Olympiad program supports students to think deeply and creatively about mathematics through rich, challenging problem-solving experiences. The program aims to:

• strengthen understanding of key mathematical concepts

• develop flexible problem-solving strategies

• foster creativity, ingenuity and strong mathematical intuition

• build enthusiasm, confidence and enjoyment in mathematics

• provide students with the challenge and satisfaction of tackling complex tasks

This program supports our focus on developing confident, capable mathematicians who can reason, communicate and apply their learning effectively.

John Monash Science School Program

We are very fortunate to have been selected to participate in the John Monash Science School (JMSS) Program, which provides students with access to authentic, high-level learning in mathematics and science.

The program is delivered by JMSS alumni and passionate senior students and focuses on developing advanced problem-solving skills, scientific reasoning and the ability to clearly communicate mathematical and scientific thinking.

Program details:

• Four fortnightly sessions held at JMSS 

• Sessions are supported by trained JMSS students, teaching staff and laboratory technicians

• Students are supported to complete projects and showcase their learning at JMSS

• Opportunities are available for primary teachers to observe sessions and engage with JMSS staff around teaching practice and learning processes

Participation in this program aligns with our School Strategic Plan priority of expanding learning pathways and strengthening student engagement in STEM learning.

Solway Science Fair and Science Talent Search

The Solway Science Fair is a long-standing and valued part of our Student Excellence Program and runs throughout the year. Alongside the state-wide Science Talent Search, this program provides students with authentic opportunities to engage deeply in scientific inquiry and creative thinking.

Students are encouraged to design and undertake a scientific project in an area of interest, with categories including creative writing, posters, games, working models and inventions, science photography, experimental research, video production and computer games. Projects follow the criteria established by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria and are assessed accordingly.

The Solway Science Fair is a celebration of student learning and effort. Students present their projects to the wider school community, demonstrating their work and discussing their ideas with others. This process not only showcases students’ scientific knowledge and creativity, but also supports the development of confidence, communication and oral presentation skills.

Following the school fair, selected projects are entered into the Science Talent Search, a state-wide competition involving students from schools across Victoria. Students again participate in a formal judging process. Our school has a proud history of success in this competition, having received numerous major and minor bursaries and credits across a range of categories. The school has also been awarded the School Prize for Excellence in six of the past eight years.

Above all, the program is most rewarding for the sense of pride, enjoyment and accomplishment it fosters in students as they share their learning and talents with others.