Extension Programmes

LEAP - Learning Enrichments and Achievement Programme

An extension and enrichment programme has been developed and takes place initially in the Junior School in Years 9 and 10.

In Year 9, this programme (LEAP) operates at two levels.  Firstly, in the 9A band, students do a compacted curriculum to enable students to undertake an individualized research programme.  Secondly, across all Year 9 classes, students who have various talents in a number of specific intelligences (kinaesthetic, visual spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, mathematical logical, musical and linguistic intelligences), a selected number of students are invited to attend an enrichment camp.

In Year 10, students can also participate in LEAP.  A number of Achievement Standards are presented.  These come from across the curriculum.  Students have the opportunity to participate in an enrichment camp.

Using Chess as Problem Solving Tool

The head of the Mathematics department has introduced a programme at Year 9 level designed to enhance the problem solving skills within our top young academics. The programme has been designed in response to the large amount of research that positively links high academic achievement with the skills required in the playing of chess. The skills of a chess player that are directly applicable in scholarship-level thinking include; visualising, weighing options, planning, analysing, abstract thinking, and judging of multiple considerations. The programme is run as a Mathematics extension programme and involves the top streamed Year 9 class for one period every two weeks.

Advanced Programmes of Study

The Heads of Department of the core subject  (English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) have collaborated with their subject teachers to develop specific programmes of study to cater for the advanced academic requirements of the top streamed academic class. In some cases, this has meant that the standard Year 9 curriculum has been substantially re-written to better challenge these students. Teachers of these subjects have also collaborated with Year 8 sector teachers to ensure that the St Paul’s academic experience at Year 9 is unique.