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RationaleThe VPSHS Academy is specifically targeted at supporting students who have expressed interest and can demonstrate targeted skills in a specialised field of study.

The VPSHS Academy aims to develop intensive and focused pathways for potential futures, create an environment of motivation, engagement and success, and extend skills and opportunities for students to work with industry professionals and collaborate with the local and wider community in order to build deeper knowledge, skills, training and experience.

The Programs of Excellence run across Years 8 – 10, with the students enrolling in senior subjects aligned with their chosen pathway. In Years 11 – 12 students may choose to follow either a QCE+OP or a QCE+RANK Pathway.

Students are enriched through the breadth of study, relevance of assessment tasks and through engagement in highly skilled practices. Students are reported on during all reporting periods, parental communication provided during Parent/Teacher interviews and data tracking at each term juncture.

Victoria Point State High School offers Scholarships for entry into the VPSHS Academy.

Furthermore, VPSHS Academy offers “Fast Track” Scholarships - for students enrolled in our partner Primary Schools.

The criteria for awarding scholarships are:

demonstrated performance, and

aptitude and potential to excel in their chosen field.

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Expression of InterestA key component of each application package focuses on a student’s personal values and capabilities highlighted through qualities of team work, motivation to learn, behaviour record and future goals.

What the Program of Excellence looks like:

1. Curriculum

Each student will be assessed on their theoretical and practical units according to the criteria outlined by the Queensland Studies Authority syllabi. The students will be extended with rigour at a level which will allow the students to pursue research tasks aligned to their specific areas of interest.

2. Class

All students are enrolled in a class specifically designed to expose students to a wide variety of higher order thinking strategies and develop advanced problem solving skills through linking learnt knowledge and understanding to practical application within their specialised studies.

3. Extra-curricular

VPSHS Academy students participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities aimed at supporting, enriching and recognising their abilities within their selected Program of Excellence. These include:

Workshops with professionals Competitions Excursions and incursions Training opportunities Working with the local and wider community and community businesses including

surrounding primary schools Days of Excellence Enrichment activities

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ScholarshipsAcademic Excellence

A proven record of high performance that demonstrates proficiency in or across academic fields of the curriculum such as Mathematics and/or Science, English and/or Foreign Languages, the Arts, Sports or excellence across the curriculum spectrum. Students are likely to be high performing and ultimately university bound.

Application and Procedure

1. To be considered for a Scholarship, a completed and endorsed Scholarship Application Form must be attached to a VPSHS Academy Application.

2. Program of Excellence – Academic ONLY.Complete the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students in August of the preceding year or by special request no later than October of the preceding year of entry. (Applicants to be notified of the date, time, location of the SAGES testing)

3. Be interviewed, trialled or auditioned by the appropriate Program of Excellence Head of Department and Coordinator. (Applicants to be notified of the date, time, location if required)

Progress

Scholarship recipients have their progress reviewed at the end of each term. Term One, Semester One and Semester Two Reports are used in the first instance and Student/Parent interviews held if determined by the Head of Department.

As well as academic performance, a High or Very High achievement and high standards of personal conduct are required.

Value

Program of Excellence Scholarship Value: $200.00 per successful student. One scholarship is awarded annually per Program of Excellence in Years 8, 9 and 10.

The Scholarship value will be held by the school. Parents can access the Scholarship value for the following: School Resource Scheme – Participation at no cost to cover fees. Subject Levies – that apply to specialist areas of common program, considering the scope of

areas of the Program of Excellence. Subject Competition/s costs – including Mathematics and Science competitions, Eisteddfods. Excursions – curriculum based as requested.

Once the Scholarship award is made, the school Business Services Manager will be the contact person for payments and support.

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Application Process

VPSHS Academy Application Packages are available at:

Victoria Point State High School website www.vpshs.eq.edu.au or by contacting the school Administration during hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 8.00 am – 3.45 pm.

Students are required to complete a short written response outlining:

Specialist Background Personal Qualities Motivation, Goals and Ambitions Industry Outcomes

Continuing Students must re-apply each year. This process is managed by the relevant Head of Department responsible for the Program of Excellence. Students must:

Maintain an appropriate level of behaviour in all areas of study and school culture Adhere to a high level of expectations through achievement, preparation, practice,

discipline and punctuality Attend all extra-curricular activities Meet a ‘C’ level of achievement in subject studied.

Forms

1. Student Details 2. Parent/Caregiver signed Application3. Written Application and Current Student Report Card4. Completed and signed Code of Conduct and Behaviour Contract5. Permission and Medical Consent Form6. Completed and signed Borrow Contract and Media Viewing Contract (Media Excellence Program)

Scholarships

1. Application for a VPSHS Academy Scholarship (Principal Endorsement)2. Scholarship Resume3. Academic Transcript

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Code of Behaviour

Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students

All students enrolled at Victoria Point State High School are expected to uphold the School Values of Respect, Integrity and Responsibility. All students are subject to the consequences outlined in the school’s ‘Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students’. In addition, VPSHS Program of Excellence students must also abide by the expectations of high levels of school representation. Students must act in accordance with the responsibilities outlined in the Victoria Point State High School Program of Excellence Code of Responsibilities’.

Program of Excellence Code of Responsibilities Please note, Program of Excellence Codes of Responsibility may vary according to the specialist field. These responsibilities will be outlined in the Application Packages and require student and parent signature.

Individual Academic Review

VPSHS Program of Excellence students’ progress will be monitored and reviewed with regard to specific Program of Excellence disciplines and all-round academic progress as well as behaviour and attitude. An overall student assessment will be conducted towards the end of each semester.

In addition to the general Program of Excellence intake conducted at the end of each year, staff can recommend and approve a student’s commencement in a Program of Excellence throughout the year for new students enrolling mid-year at Victoria Point State High School.

A ‘C’ level of achievement and consistently high attitudinal and behavioural engagement along with levy payment will enable a student to continue the Program of Excellence pathway.

Student Responsibilities

Strive for personal excellence by working hard Demonstrate respect and courtesy at all times Cooperate with peers, staff, and community members Display appropriate behaviour in all situations Learn to value honest effort, skilled ability and improvement, including a sense of trial and

error and experimentation where all outcomes are valued Represent the School and the Program of Excellence appropriately and with pride Attend all extra-curricular activities Notify staff of the inability to attend extra-curricular activities promptly Complete all set work including assessment within the allocated time frame Treat all resources and equipment with care and respect.

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A breach of the Program of Excellence Code of Responsibilities and/or the school’s ‘Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students’ will result in consideration of suspension of Program of Excellence activities and/or cancellation of enrolment in the Program of Excellence. Please note financial refunds will not be possible.

Parents will be notified of any breaches of the Program of Excellence Code of Responsibilities and the immediate actions. Whereby a student’s enrolment is recommended for cancellation the Principal will determine the outcome.

Parent Responsibilities

Encourage their child to always uphold the School Values and follow Codes of Conduct and support the decisions of staff and management

Develop in their child a commitment to an honest effort and positive attitude in order to maintain or improve their skills and level of achievement

Instil in their child an appreciation and respect for their studies and encourage them to participate in the spirit of the Program of Excellence

Applaud good student outcomes and celebrate success Acknowledge and support specialist staff

Staff Responsibilities

Encourage students to display positive attitudes and to participate within the spirit of the Program of Excellence

Teach students the required knowledge and skills and extend their abilities to meet high expectations

Ensure mutual respect in all contexts and situations Provide positive feedback when students improve their skills and outcomes and celebrate

success and self-efficacy Reinforce the School Values and VPSHS Program of Excellence Values through modelling

positive attitudes and perceptions Keep students informed regarding current industry practice for engagement in future pathways Support students to manage time and work load Be consistent when making decisions Provide a safe and supportive environment for students to learn Ensure Workplace Health & Safety regulations are enforced.

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Finance

VPSHS Academy charges a levy for participation. The levy is additional to the School Resource and Text payment. $200.00 per year

Students successfully enrolled in the VPSHS Academy will be required to meet the financial obligation for students’ enrolment to continue. The school’s website contains dates for final payment.

For information regarding the breakdown of the VPSHS Academy levy or for enquiries regarding financial matters or payment plans please contact:

Business Services Manager: Mrs Miriam Parker on telephone: 3820 5888

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Contact Details

VICTORIA POINT STATE HIGH SCHOOL CONTACT DETAILS:

School Administration 3820 5888

School Fax 3820 5800

School Website www.vpshs.eq.edu.au

School Administration e-mail admin@vpshs.eq.edu.au

VPSHS Academy: Programs of Excellence STAFF CONTACT:

Academic Program of Excellence Head of Department – Junior SecondaryMr Peter Shepherdson3820 5888 pshep12@eq.edu.au

Dance Program of Excellence Head of Department - Performing ArtsMr Sean Lubbers3820 5826 slubb1@eq.edu.au

Robotics Program of Excellence Head of Department – Business and e-LearningMrs Deborah Harris3820 5843 dharr123@eq.edu.au

Science, Engineering & Technology Head of Department - ScienceProgram of Excellence Mr Dennis Brennan

3820 5803 dbren2@eq.edu.au

Vikings AFL Head of Department - Health Program of Excellence Mr Raymond Adams

3820 5828 radam46@eq.edu.au

VPtv Media Program of Excellence Head of Department – Visual ArtsMrs Vikki Caruana3820 5827 vcaru1@eq.edu.au

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