Program Overview
Capalaba State College (CSC) is based on the Redlands Coast, and the
High Capacity Program reaches students far beyond the local area.
High Capacity at Capalaba State College is our specialised program
designed to meet the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students aged eight
and above. It allows students to engage in a tailored learning pathway
implemented using the Australian Curriculum and taught online, from home and
face-to-face learning onsite at Capalaba State College.
This combination of learning environments is particularly suited to
the needs of gifted or twice-exceptional children who require an individualised
approach to schooling. Intellectual growth is a socially constructed process.
Gifted students gain much from interacting with like-minded peers to discuss,
experiment, inquire and hypothesise to reach their full potential as
learners.
Teachers experienced with gifted students lead classes for gifted
students by implementing an inquiry learning approach. Their teaching
incorporates researched back pedagogy practices that combine theories from Deep
Learning (Michael Fullan) and The Power of Inquiry (Kath Murdoch).
What is High Capacity?
Our Vision:
To meet the needs of gifted or twice-exceptional students who cannot
reach their potential in a mainstream classroom setting. We achieve this
through an individualised learning environment that encourages all students to
reach their maximum potential through a learning partnership between home and
school.
Our goals:
To create an environment where teaching is differentiated and
tracked to meet the needs of all learners, where students can take risks while
being supported socially, emotionally and academically, progressing at a rate
that maintains engagement in learning.
Our Beliefs:
To combine various research-based proven methods to create this
environment. These methods include but are not limited to the following:
Deep
Learning
Inquiry
Learning
Trauma-informed
practice
Neuroscience
of learning
Our Values:
All staff in the High Capacity Program believe the following values
support the education of each student:
Creativity/Challenge
Trust/Growth
Achievement/Success
Communication/Respect
How do we do this?
There are four elements of learning design in High Capacity derived
from Deep Learning to ensure that we meet all learners' needs.
Creating a digital citizen (21st-century skills innovation learning
through a digital platform):
This platform goes beyond the use of an app or digital learning
program. For example, the High Capacity Program has intended learning
opportunities that allow students to critically assess, discover and create new
knowledge in innovative digital ways.
Students
will experience a combined approach to curriculum delivery. Students will
learn and collaborate at home through online learning platforms, engaging
in authentic learning experiences and online programs.
Students
will use digital devices to collaborate and design solutions to real-world
problems.
Combine
these skills with traditional learning techniques to demonstrate their
knowledge and skills through a connected curriculum.
Pedagogical delivery (project-based inquiries that build
curiosity):
Learning experiences go beyond classroom walls. Whilst there is a
level of flexibility to learning within the program, experiences that teachers
provide will be assessed against the Australian Curriculum against year-level
expectations unless students are on an ICP (individual curriculum
program).
Students
will experience learning opportunities built from research-based
pedagogies that combine proven and emerging practices.
Teachers
will collaborate to provide an Individual Learning Plan to support
students' academic goals.
Learning Partnerships (learning beyond the classrooms that
incorporate experts in various fields to support learning):
Building partnerships in learning makes experiences more authentic
and creates connections that can lead to broader learning experiences for
students and staff.
Learning in the High Capacity Program is a partnership between home,
school and the wider community.
Students and
teachers look for opportunities to engage experts and parents to provide
knowledge and skills from the global world.
Students'
voice is critical to driving learning. As co-designers, it allows for
ownership of pathways students can take to demonstrate their
understanding.
Learning Environments (building a school and community learning
environment that supports flexible learning styles and
opportunities):
Learning in a supportive environment allows students to experience
risk-taking in a safe and controlled way with purpose. The goal of the High
Capacity Program is for students to collaborate with their peers, ask
meaningful questions and pursue their passions in a supported
environment.
Students
build relationships with their teachers, parents and experts to expand
their thinking connections to the global world.
It opens the
potential to use relationships as an accelerator of learning.
The home-based component of the program:
Each child receives a one-on-one check-in each week. The teacher
will guide each child on what they should be working on, explaining any
concepts or tasks with which the student is struggling. After initial testing
to ascertain their current level, students use several online and print-based
resources to facilitate learning at home. Activities include hands-on
activities, worksheets, videos, tasks to perform in Education Perfect,
instructions for textbook work or teacher notes to read.
There are also opportunities for a Collaboration Space for students
to share their work. For example, in the Arts Notebook, the Collaboration Space
contains The Art Gallery, where students can upload visual artworks they wish
to share and The Concert Hall, where they can upload a video of performances,
e.g. singing, dancing, playing, an instrument etc.
Each child has a private space in each Notebook where they post work
completed at home for the teacher to mark and give feedback.
Students may also work on a Personal Passion Project while at
home.
The teacher may allocate some time for this during on-campus
days.
The on-campus component of the program:
Students may attend some practical specialist lessons, as well as
the activities in the table above. In addition, accommodating students of high
school age with specialist lessons is a particular focus.
Who best suits the program?
The program best suits a student with a high level of intelligence
and a preference for learning in a flexible environment. Identifying
intelligence should be done through IQ or another formal standardised test.
Evidence of this can be provided during an enrolment meeting or conducted at
Capalaba State College before acceptance.
What are a parent's expectations during the at-home component of the
program?
As three days of the program are conducted from home, parent
engagement in the learning process is vital. Parents are encouraged to attend
the weekly check-in meetings to maintain alignment of learning across the two
environments. In addition, parents are expected to help maintain routines and
meet timelines for submitting work completed at home.
How will the Curriculum meet the needs of my child?
On enrolment into the High Capacity Program, students are given a
range of standardised tests to establish a baseline where teachers will work
with students and their families to construct and personalised learning plan.
This plan will identify goals to be worked on that align with students'
abilities and the Australian Curriculum.
What is the enrolment process?
Parents can make enrolment inquiries through our
website https://capalabasc.eq.edu.au/enrolments.
Once submitted, the formal enrolment process will begin.
If you would like further information about the program, don't
hesitate to get in touch with our school office at (07) 3823 9111