The Inspire Program

What is the program about?

At Canberra High School, our Inspire Program targets both gifted and talented students, and those consistently in the pursuit of academic excellence. But this is not where it ends. For entry, and retention in the program, our Inspire students consistently show the following core values:

• A genuine thirst for knowledge and passion for learning
• A growth mindset, specifically the willingness to try and fail
• A desire to improve and work hard

Students are given opportunities to:

• Receive enrichment and extension opportunities in subject areas of their choice
• Attend workshops involving critical discussion, study skills, and personal growth

Which subject areas are students extended in?

Students choose to extend themselves in one or more of the following subjects:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• HaSS
• Arts
• Languages

Extension opportunities in Technology will be introduced in Semester 2, 2025. Currently, the Athletic Development Program (ADP) supports student extension in SHAPE.

Across a students’ time in the program, it is expected that they do not isolate themselves to one subject. Students are to attempt Inspire extension in three subjects while in the program. This does not need to be concurrently. This aids students in developing resilience and encourages them to step outside the box and take risks, in a supported environment.

How are students extended?

Students are given a variety of learning opportunities depending on the subject area. The enrichment opportunities and requirements of each subject area can be discussed with the student’s teacher, the faculty’s SLC, or by emailing the GATLO.

How does my child get into the program?

Year 7s

To enter the program starting in year 7, there is a multi-faceted selection process which involves the following suite of data:

• Primary school recommendations and/or involvement in primary school G&T programs
• Parental recommendations
• NAPLAN testing results (held in Term 1 of year 7)
• PAT English and Maths testing results (held in Term 1 of year 7)
• Secondary school teacher recommendations (at the end of Semester 1)

Please note: Year 7s are not invited into the program until the end of Semester 1. Our priority is for year 7s to enjoy a smooth, stable and supported transition into high school with as fewer disruptions as possible.

Years 8-9

Students may be invited into the program in year 8-9, using the following suite of data:

• Academic excellence over the course of a full academic year
• Secondary school teacher recommendations

Students are also able to apply for entry into the program mid-year. Applications will be open at the start of week 8, term 2 and are due at the start of week 9, term 2. Students will receive a response, and feedback on their application by the first week of term 3. More information will be released closer to the time.

Please note: We do not issue invitations to current year 10 students as they are unable to receive the full benefit of the program in such a short period of time. The cut-off for invitations is therefore the end of Semester 2 of year 9.

How does my child stay in the program?

In order for your child to stay in the program, they must:

1. Complete the requirements of their chosen subject extension areas (as outlined in the link above)
2. Satisfy the program’s general achievement and effort criteria (see the decision matrix in the Policy linked below)
3. Attend the majority of philosophy sessions per semester (unless for a valid reason)
4. Exemplify the Inspire program’s core values (outlined above)

If a student is unable to satisfy all of the above requirements, they may be placed on probation, or be removed from the program.

Is there any other important information?

Full details of the requirements and expectations of the Inspire program can be found in the Inspire Policy 2025.PDF 

If you have further questions, please contact the Gifted and Talented Liaison Officer (GATLO),

Alexandra Strobel, on 6142 0818 or via email alexandra.strobel@ed.act.edu.au.