A New Chapter at Lauries
A New Chapter at Lauries: The Launch of the Academic Excellence in Year 7
by Dean of Learning and Teaching, Ms Grace Visser
At St Laurence’s College, we have long held a deep belief in the capacity of every young person to grow, to contribute and to flourish. In 2026, we are proud to introduce the Academic Excellence Program in Year 7: a purposeful extension of this belief, designed to challenge, inspire and support our most academically motivated learners as they begin their secondary journey.
This program is not about acceleration for its own sake. Rather, it reflects that our commitment to a Liberating Education is one that stretches students intellectually while grounding them in curiosity, character and a strong sense of belonging.
Deep Learning, not just More Learning
A key feature of the program is the compacting of curriculum in English and Mathematics, allowing students to move more efficiently through foundational content and engage in deeper, more complex learning sooner.
Rather than simply doing more work, students are invited to:
- Explore sophisticated ideas and texts
- Engage in rich discussion and inquiry
- Apply knowledge in new and challenging contexts
- Develop precision in thinking, writing and problem-solving.
In English, for example, students may explore themes of power, voice and persuasion through a range of texts, developing their ability to craft and critique arguments with clarity and sophistication. In Mathematics, students are challenged to think flexibly and apply concepts in unfamiliar situations, building both confidence and capability.
Character, Curiosity and Challenge
Academic excellence at Lauries is not defined solely by results. It is characterised by habits of mind and heart: discipline, resilience, intellectual humility and a willingness to embrace challenge.
Entry into the program considers not only academic performance, but also a:
- Love of learning
- Capacity for sustained effort
- Curiosity and initiative
- Ability to respond to challenge with determination.
These dispositions are nurtured through the program, ensuring that students are not only capable learners, but also grounded young men who contribute positively to their community.
The Lauries Impact Academy
In Term 4, students in the Academic Excellence Program participate in the Lauries Impact Academy, a project-based learning experience during which students apply their learning to real-world problems. They will develop solutions that require creativity, collaboration and
critical thinking. Whether designing a social enterprise, modelling a mathematical solution or pitching an innovative idea, students experience the power of learning that extends beyond the classroom.
A Culture of Aspiration
The introduction of the Year 7 Academic Excellence Program marks an important step in strengthening the College’s academic culture. It signals to our youngest students that:
- Excellence is something to be pursued with purpose
- Learning is both rigorous and rewarding
- Their potential is recognised and worth investing in.
Importantly, this program sits within a broader College commitment to ensuring that every learner is known, supported and challenged. While the Academic Excellence Program provides targeted extension, the principles that underpin it – high expectations,
explicit teaching and meaningful challenge – are embedded across all classrooms at Lauries.
Looking Ahead
As our inaugural cohort of Year 7 Academic Excellence students begin their journey, we are excited by what lies ahead. We are not only excited for these young men, but for the continued growth of a vibrant and aspirational learning culture across the College.
At Lauries, we believe that when students are known, challenged and inspired, they do more than achieve. They become young men of purpose, capable of shaping their world with confidence and integrity.
The Academic Excellence Program is one expression of this belief in action.