The Young Scholars Program
The Young Scholars’ Program is an exciting initiative that was launched as a pilot program in October 2008.
It is a partnership activity between the Queensland Academies, interested Education Queensland Schools and Queensland’s leading universities. It seeks to identify gifted and talented students in Years 5-7 and to create a pathway through primary school to high school and onto university.
The concept which underpins the YS program is to provide for the needs and interests of the gifted and talented student population in Years 5-7 from across Queensland. It supplements schools’ existing G&T programs by affording high performing students with enrichment and extension opportunities outside of school hours.
The Queensland Academies’ Young Scholars Program is a network of students, parents and schools and gifted education providers which aims to develop the talents of high achievers. Selection to the program is completed through the school, using the following criteria-:
Selection Criteria for YS student nomination
Students must meet one of the following criteria:-
- A 90th percentile on any individual or group IQ test
- A 90th percentile on a subscale (e.g. verbal performance) of an individual IQ test
- A High Distinction or Distinction in the Australian Schools Science, English or Mathematics Competition
- A letter from the school confirming that the student’s academic performance or potential in Mathematics,
Science or English is within the top 10 percent of the student population.
The program offers benefits which include access to a range of workshops and learning opportunities run in partnership with GERRIC (Gifted Education Research and Resource Centre), the Queensland Academies and their university partners, and a website affording a comprehensive range of resources.
What does the YS Program Offer?
Now:
- Continuous student engagement through the Young Scholars website
- Young Scholars Workshops – 3 per term run at QA sites and facilitated by Academy staff
- GERRIC Student Workshops- 3 per year and facilitated by GERRIC staff
- Parent workshops- 3 per year and facilitated by GERRIC staff
- Teacher Professional Development Workshops
- Regional Workshops
Future:
- Scholarship opportunities for professional development for Associate School staff
- Workshops for students run by university partners
- G&T advisory program for parents and teachers
- Tertiary study experiences for YS students
Coomera Springs is now an Associate School, involved in the Young Scholars initiative. We currently have 5 students enrolled in the program and are looking forward to many more joining over the course of time. We are excited to be a part of this initiative and look forward to offering any associated opportunities to our students.
Coomera Springs State School has a well supported Gifted and Talented program for our students and we are encouraging parents/carers/guardians of students inform us of activities or groups your children are involved in (across sports, academics, arts etc) so that we can celebrate and share their successes. Such forms of celebration may include recognition through Assembly presentations, Webpage or Newsletter articles. If there is any information you would like to pass on, please send an email with relevant information to admin@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au
