Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Class
Balwyn High School intends to use the ACER High Ability Selection Test (HAST) for entry into the 2025 Year 7 class.
The test will be conducted on Monday 9 September at Balwyn High School and registrations will open at 9AM on July 18 once primary school placements are confirmed. Only students who have received a ‘High School Placement Notification’ for Balwyn High School will be allowed to register. Registrations will close on 25 August.
The test will have four parts: Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning.
The HAST Sample Question Booklet is suitable for both tests and can be purchased from the ACER website HERE
After the test has been conducted, Year 6 students will be shortlisted for interviews. Interviews will be conducted early in Term 4 and candidates will be informed of their success or otherwise early in November.
SEAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
Education research shows that accelerated learning – the delivery of curriculum at a faster rate – matches the learning needs of academically gifted and talented students, who are quick to grasp basic concepts and are thus ready sooner to be challenged by the increased complexity that comes from advanced level curriculum. Accelerating the curriculum is shown to be twice as effective for gifted and talented students than conventionally paced teaching.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Those students selected to join the program after testing and interview form a discrete class at years 7, 8 and 9. Curriculum in the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Humanities is accelerated, such that the students complete Years 7-10 in three years.
This allows students to undertake a three-year VCE, broadening the range of subjects they undertake and allowing them to complete more year 12 (Unit 3 & 4) studies than a mainstream student. As a result, SEAL students are in a position to calculate a higher ATAR score at the end of their VCE than are mainstream students. As part of this VCE program, some students undertake VCE Extension Studies which allows them to complete one or more university subjects.
