Magis Program

Benefits of the Program

Student Opportunities

More Information

Gifted or talented students experience a sense of wellbeing, positive development and engagement when provided with supportive and challenging learning environments and opportunities that are responsive to their individual strengths and interests. Students in the Magis Program will experience: • a differentiated curriculum that is

stimulating and motivating; • daily challenge in their specific areas

of ability or interest; • learning that encourages the

development of problem-solving skill; • opportunities to socialise and learn

with peers of like-ability as well as work independently on areas of interest;

• opportunities to overcome obstacles and earn success which will impact more positively on their self-esteem than easy accomplishments.

As part of the Magis Program, students will have the opportunity to: • work with dynamic and innovative

teachers who have a commitment to the program;

• participate in a range of academic challenges and competitions eg. Australian Mathematics Competition; Spellmasters;

• be eligible for selection of an Academic Scholarship in Year 8;

• participate in an accelerated study of a language other than English;

• study additional sequences of Unit 3 and 4 studies to enhance their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR);

• complete higher education studies (1st year university subjects) taken within the VCE at year 12;

• achieve the VCE Baccalaureate.

For further information in relation to the Thomas Carr College Magis Program please contact the Director of Learning & Teaching:

Phone (03) 8734 2444 E-mail tcc@thomascarr.vic.edu.au

35 Thomas Carr Drive, Tarneit, Victoria, Australia, 3029

T +61 3 8734 2444 F +61 3 9748 4388

CRICOS 01968B www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au

Magis Program

Program Outline

Selection Process

Student Expectations

The Magis Program at Thomas Carr College is designed to cater for the needs of the academically gifted or talented student who demonstrates above average abilities, high levels of task commitment and greater creativity. Through specialist curriculum, well-practiced teaching expertise, and a developed culture of high expectations, students will be stimulated, challenged and motivated towards even higher levels of achievement. Each year, one class of students is selected to participate in this six-year program which is designed to enhance intellectual potential and development. Accelerated courses involve a combination of a faster paced curriculum and more complex and abstract material which encourages students to further develop their capacity for higher level thinking. Deeply-rooted within the wisdom and tradition of Ignatian spirituality, the Latin word magis means the greater, the excellent, the best. Students who strive for the magis want always to do better. The quest of the magis is to encourage young people who have ambitious goals and to challenge them to always strive further than the mediocre. The Magis program at Thomas Carr College therefore endeavours to produce leaders, students who are always striving to see more, to love more and to do more.

While the Magis Program will align with the current curriculum from Year 7 to 12 many new opportunities to extend students will be presented. Students will be encouraged to participate in a range of advanced academic activities focusing on literacy and numeracy while being extended in the various electives offered at the College. The ability for Magis Program students to complete the VCE (Baccalaureate) will also be central to this program. The VCE (Baccalaureate) is an additional form of recognition for those students who choose to undertake the demands of studying both a higher-level mathematics and a language in their VCE program of study. Advanced studies in LOTE will allow students to take up this opportunity. A key feature of the Magis Program is to allow students the possibility to complete Advanced Standing Studies in partnership with tertiary institutions.

A panel will review the academic data from all enrolment applications. The academic data will include reviewing of the NAPLAN results as well as Grade 6 PAT results. The panel will also take into consideration the Grade 5 reports and any other discussions with the primary schools about the progress of the student. Letters of invitation will be forwarded to the parents of those students selected for the program, and parents and students will need to attend a compulsory information night during the Pentecost Term (term 2). The program will allow space for 25 students. At the end of each semester the progress of each student will be reviewed. The academic results and work habit indicators of each student should continue to be worthy of a Magis scholar and should continue to maintain outstanding results in every subject undertaken. Should this not be the case at the end of the academic year, the student will forfeit their place in the program for the following academic year.

Participation in the Magis Program will require students to meet the high expectations that the College has of all students. The participation in the Magis program needs to be considered a privilege and as such a student’s contribution to the college community needs to reflect this. A student in the Magis program will be expected to: • maintain an excellent academic

record• be fully committed to their studies

and striving to achieve their best • actively participate in all classes

and be always prepared for all curriculum activities

• be an exemplary role model to other students

• willingly adhere to all College policies, processes and procedures

• be engaged fully in the life of the College through participation in various co-curricula programs of the College such as the College’s performing arts and sporting opportunities

• seek out opportunities for positions of student leadership within the College as they arise