SEAL
The Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools (TAASS) is a collective of like-minded schools who strongly value Gifted Education in Victorian Government secondary schools. SEAL Academy schools, such as Staughton College, offer accelerated and engaging programs for their groups of gifted students.
The TAASS Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program is designed to cater for gifted, talented and high-achieving students. It operates on the principles of Curriculum Acceleration and Enrichment.
The first of these – Curriculum Acceleration – enables students to commence areas of work earlier and/or move through areas of work more quickly. The end result of this approach is to provide a more challenging learning environment for students. TASSS SEAL students complete a three-year program, with the intention of allowing them to study of a greater number and range of VCE units, including tertiary studies while at school, which can assist with both ATAR scores and course entry requirements.
The second of these – Curriculum Enrichment – encourages the study of more complex and abstract concepts in class and a greater emphasis on higher order thinking skills such as analysing, synthesising, generalising and recognising relationships. Students are actively encouraged to develop investigative, problem solving and creative thinking skills which will challenge and engage them, and which will provide an excellent foundation for further studies.
The TAASS SEAL coordinator oversees the program and learning progress of all TAASS SEAL students. The TAASS SEAL program includes a range of academic study along with enrichment activities and community focused events. Part of the learning progress involves monitoring student’s progress and reports. Supportive adaptable learning tools are a key element in ensuring every TAASS SEAL student achieves success. Each TAASS SEAL group stays together as a class for the first three years of their secondary schooling, receiving a purpose designed and delivered curriculum program.
TAASS SEAL Courses Offered:
From Year 7 – 9 the subjects offered in SEAL are: Advanced Maths, English, Science and SOSE, Music, French, Food, Health, PE and Art. After Year 9, the third year of the program, the Careers Coordinator and TAASS SEAL Coordinator meet one on one with the SEAL students to agree on a personalised career action plan to complete their schooling. We encourage TAASS SEAL students to explore all options to ensure they can achieve their best ATAR score. Such options may include the possibility of studying a university course prior to entering university.
SEAL 2020 application process
As we begin Semester Two of 2019 many parents of students beginning Year 7 in 2020 begin enquiring about the SEAL program application process.
Having had our Information session for SEAL last term, hopefully the program itself is familiar to you. If you were unable to attend the information evening and are interested in getting information about the program itself please email the Staughton SEAL coordinator via e-mail at munoz.amaya.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
Application Process
4 step process:
- Enrol in Staughton College. To do this you must reside in the local area.
- Apply for Edutest testing, once confirmation of enrolment has been received. Please e-mail Amaya Munoz (SEAL coordinator) an expression of interest for the SEAL program. You will then be sent an APPLICATION code and web link for registering your child for the SEAT entrance examination.
- Student online exams at Staughton – 31st August and submission of past school reports and Naplan results.
- Student interview including work portfolio.
April/May: Primary Schools will distribute a Transition Pack to all parents/carers of Grade Six Students.
May: Parents/carers return Application for Year 7 Placement forms to primary schools.
August: Primary schools notify parents/carers of Year 6 students, in writing, with placement offers. This notification should include a rationale for any non-placement if applicable.
Friday 10th August: Registration for the Edutest will open on our school website.
Late August: Registration for the Edutest will close on our school website.
Saturday 31st August: Edutest Session at Staughton College (9AM – 12:15PM)
Last week of Term 3: Candidates notified of results and next stage in the interview process.
After testing results are in and assessed, students are shortlisted and if so, invited to attend an interview to discuss their interests in the program.
For further information, contact:
SEAL Coordinator: Ms Amaya Munoz
Email: munoz.amaya.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9743 4622
http://www.staughtoncollege.vic.edu.au/Academic-Programs/SEAL/