Nurturing high-potential learners through challenge, enrichment and holistic care.
At St Laurence’s College, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. Grounded in the principles of the Edmund Rice Education Australia Charter, the Academic Excellence Program provides high-ability learners with a thoughtfully designed, enriching environment where they feel known, supported and inspired to realise their potential.
Why Academic Excellence?
The Academic Excellence Program is designed for students who thrive when presented with sophisticated learning experiences that deepen understanding, stimulate curiosity and honour their readiness for complex thinking. High-performing learners benefit from an environment that brings them together with peers who share similar capabilities and interests, enables them to move beyond repetition once mastery is evident, invites them into rich and conceptually challenging learning, and supports the development of independence, self-reflection and disciplined study habits. This approach reflects the Liberating Education touchstone of the EREA Charter: encouraging every student to grow as a critical thinker, problem-solver and compassionate agent of change.
Program Structure
Curriculum Compacting
Students in the Academic Excellence Program complete the Year 7 English and Mathematics curriculum within three terms instead of four. This compacted approach is aligned to the Year 7 achievement standards.
Once core content is mastered, students to move into deeper and more complex learning, engage with enrichment tasks that extend conceptual understanding, and devote Term 4 to authentic, higher-order project-based learning. This structure is grounded in contemporary research and internationally recognised best practice for high-potential learners.
Project-Based Learning
Term 4 marks a distinctive phase of the program, offering students the opportunity to apply their mastery of curriculum in authentic, purposeful contexts that foster creativity, resilience and collaboration. We are excited to collaborate with Future Anything in facilitating a ‘passion project’ for our Academic Excellence students.
Lauries Impact Academy
All Academic Excellence Program students participate in the Lauries Impact Academy, delivered in partnership with Future Anything. This immersive, project-based learning initiative guides students through a real-world design-thinking framework where they identify a meaningful social or community challenge, investigate causes, impacts and stakeholders, design imaginative and ethically responsible solutions, and present their ideas through a final pitch.
This initiative supports the Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity touchstones of the EREA Charter, encouraging students to respond to real needs with empathy, creativity and courage.
Mathematics Problem Solving and Modelling Task
During Term 4, students also complete a problem solving and modelling task in Mathematics - an extended inquiry where they use mathematical reasoning to explore a real-world scenario and propose a justified solution.
This process requires students to interpret and define a practical problem using mathematical concepts, consider variables, constraints and relationships, select appropriate strategies such as modelling, graphing and representation, test, refine and justify their findings, and communicate their reasoning clearly and logically. This mirrors the complexity of mathematical thinking in advanced STEM pathways and cultivates perseverance, critical analysis and disciplined reasoning.
A Commitment to Social-Emotional Wellbeing
At St Laurence’s College, wellbeing is foundational to learning. All teachers build strong relationships with students, monitor their wellbeing, and provide guidance to help them develop confidence, balance and positive learning behaviours. This program celebrates achievement without creating pressure, ensuring each student progresses in ways that support both growth and wellbeing.
We recognise that high-ability learners require thoughtful monitoring and holistic care. Student progress—academic, social and emotional—is regularly reviewed, and families are contacted whenever additional support or guidance may be beneficial. Participation in the Academic Excellence Program is optional, and families are encouraged to choose the learning environment that best aligns with their son’s wellbeing, interests and goals.
Learner Characteristics
Students invited to join the Academic Excellence Program typically demonstrate consistently high achievement in both English and Mathematics, strong organisational and reflective learning skills, curiosity, persistence and a genuine engagement with learning, readiness for sophisticated conceptual thinking, and the capacity to work independently and collaboratively. Selection is based on a combination of internal and external data and is reviewed annually.
Entry and Progression
Pathways from Primary
Many students entering St Laurence’s College come from primary schools where their learning has already been enriched through quality differentiation, targeted extension and opportunities to explore concepts at greater depth.
These experiences provide an excellent foundation for participation in the Academic Excellence Program. Students who have engaged in enriched primary learning often demonstrate the curiosity, independence, persistence and love of learning that are essential for success within the compacted and conceptually rich curriculum offered in Year 7.
Selection and Invitation
Entry into the Academic Excellence Program is by invitation. Selection is based on a holistic review of each student’s learning profile, using multiple sources of evidence to ensure fairness, accuracy and alignment with the purpose of the program.
The selection process draws on:
- Standardised testing data, including both internal and external assessments
- Academic results across core subject areas
- Recommendations from teachers, specialists, peers and self, particularly where a student demonstrates conscientiousness, deliberate practice, curiosity, a love of learning, willpower and grit
- Ranking within the cohort, informed by the combined dataset
This multi-layered approach ensures that students selected for the Academic Excellence Program have demonstrated both the capability and the learning behaviours required to thrive in a compacted and enriched curriculum. Invitations are sent to families in late Term 4.
End-of-Year Review
Students remain in the program for the full year. At the conclusion of Year 7, data from the entire cohort is reviewed again. Students demonstrating the strongest outcomes are offered a place in the next year level of the Academic Excellence Program. This ensures placement that is equitable, transparent, responsive to each student’s learning profile and aligned with their wellbeing.
Pathways in Senior School
In senior years, all students—whether or not they have participated in the Academic Excellence Program—can select advanced courses suited to their strengths and aspirations. High-achieving students may also have opportunities to undertake university-level subjects or specialised enrichment pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my son performs highly but is not invited?
The program is specifically designed for students who demonstrate strong outcomes in both English and Mathematics, as these subjects form the basis of the compacted curriculum. All students, however, continue to access high-quality differentiation and enrichment opportunities in mainstream classes.
Is participation compulsory once invited?
No. Families should consider whether the program aligns with their son’s learning style, goals and wellbeing needs.
Could the Academic Excellence Program place too much pressure on my son?
The program is designed to be rich and engaging, not overwhelming. Some students thrive in this environment, while others prefer a steadier pace; there is no disadvantage to opting out.
Can my son be invited in later years?
Yes. Every year, data from the entire cohort is reviewed, and new invitations are issued for the next year level.
What if my son struggles during the year?
Students are supported to complete the year with care. Their results, wellbeing and engagement guide decisions about future placement.
Who to contact with questions regarding the Academic Excellence Program?
Mrs Naomi Lightbody (Assistant Head of Faculty - High Potential Learners) or Ms Grace Visser (Dean of Learning and Teaching) at teachlearn@slc.qld.edu.au