SEEK AT KINGSWOOD COLLEGE A PARENT INFORMATION BOOKLET Student Enrichment & Extension @ Kingswood
PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME At Kingswood College, we believe every child should be known, valued, challenged and supported to thrive. SEEK (Student Enrichment and Extension @ Kingswood) is our whole-school approach to gifted and highly able education. Rather than being a separate program that students attend occasionally, SEEK is embedded throughout our College from Prep to Year 12 and influences the way we design learning, identify talent, and support student growth. Our goal is simple: to ensure every student is appropriately challenged, empowered to take ownership of their learning, and supported to develop their unique strengths and talents.
Chrissy Gamble Principal, Kingswood College
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ABOUT KINGSWOOD COLLEGE Established in 1890, Kingswood College is a co-educational Kindergarten to Year 12 school located in Box Hill. Our approach to education is guided by our values of: Respect Kindness Courage Perseverance Excellence We are committed to both academic excellence and student wellbeing, recognising that students thrive when they feel known, valued and challenged.
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WHAT IS SEEK? SEEK stands for Student Enrichment and Extension @ Kingswood. SEEK is not simply a withdrawal program, nor is it designed only for a small group of students. Instead, it is a whole-school philosophy that ensures highly able and gifted learners receive the challenge, support and opportunities they need throughout their educational journey. SEEK focuses on: Personalised learning Academic challenge Student agency Growth and wellbeing Individual learning pathways Talent development Inclusion of twice-exceptional learners (see additional info booklet) Through SEEK, students are encouraged to explore their passions, take intellectual risks, extend their learning and develop confidence as selfdirected learners.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY At Kingswood, we believe innovation is not an additional program. It is embedded in everyday teaching and learning. The SEEK philosophy is built on several core principles: Personalisation Every learner is different. Students have varying strengths, interests, passions and learning needs. SEEK recognises these differences and provides pathways tailored to the individual. Student Agency Students are active participants in shaping their learning journey. They are encouraged to set goals, reflect on their growth and advocate for their needs. Academic Challenge Students learn best when appropriately challenged. SEEK aims to provide learning experiences that constantly stretch thinking, encourage curiosity and promote deep understanding. Collaboration Students learn from one another. Opportunities for cross-age learning and peer collaboration help students connect with others who share similar interests and abilities. Inclusion SEEK recognises and supports twice-exceptional students, those who are both highly able and have diverse learning needs. We have an additional booklet to outline how we work alongside our twice-exceptional students.
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IDENTIFYING STUDENTS Identification is an ongoing process that considers a broad range of information rather than relying on a single test or measure. Information may include: Psychometric assessments Teacher observations Academic achievement data Student work samples Parent input Student self-identification Competition results and achievements Learning behaviours and interests We recognise that giftedness can present in many different ways and at different stages of development.
LEARNING JOURNEY PLANS One of the most significant features of SEEK is the use of Learning Journey Plans. These plans: Provide an individualised learning pathway Are developed collaboratively with students, families and staff Identify strengths, interests and goals Support academic, social and emotional development Are reviewed by our SEEK team twice each year Learning Journey Plans help ensure that students remain appropriately challenged while maintaining a balanced and positive educational experience. 6
THE THREE-TIER SEEK MODEL Tier 1: Differentiation for All
The most important layer of SEEK. Every classroom teacher is responsible for providing differentiated learning experiences that challenge students at their level of readiness. Examples include: Differentiated lessons Flexible grouping Choice in challenging learning activities Curriculum compacting
Tier 2: Targeted Enrichment
Students may access specialised opportunities designed to extend learning beyond the regular classroom experience. Examples include: Masterclasses Interest-based programs Competitions Workshops Cross-age learning experiences
Tier 3: Individualised Support & Acceleration Some students often require more specialised interventions such as: Subject acceleration Year-level acceleration Individual programs Advanced learning pathways Additional mentoring and support
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STUDENT VOICE & AGENCY A defining feature of SEEK is the emphasis on student voice. Students are encouraged to: Set learning goals Reflect on progress Review their Learning Journey Plans Provide feedback on programs Participate in decision-making about their learning This helps students become increasingly independent, confident and self-aware learners.
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EXTENSION & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES SEEK provides access to a wide range of opportunities throughout the year. Students may engage in: Short or long term extension programs Academic masterclasses Creative arts programs Competitions and challenges Leadership opportunities Cross-age learning programs Excursions and incursions External enrichment programs With more than 40 enrichment opportunities available across the College, students have significant choice in how they extend their learning.
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS OF SEEK 01
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SHORT PROGRAMS
YEAR-LONG PROGRAMS
These targeted programs typically run over several weeks and focus on specific areas of interest or competition preparation. Participation is generally by invitation based on student need, interest or demonstrated potential.
Ongoing specialist programs designed to provide sustained challenge throughout the year.
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Competitions
EXCURSIONS AND INCURSIONS
Students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of internal and external competitions that develop knowledge, skills and confidence.
These experiences provide authentic opportunities to deepen learning and connect students with experts, organisations and wider gifted education networks.
Examples may include: Visual Arts Information Technology Languages Academic extension classes
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FLEXIBLE GROUPING Flexible grouping enables students to work with peers who are operating at similar levels of readiness and expertise. This approach: Provides appropriate challenge Encourages collaboration Allows students to learn alongside intellectual peers Supports growth at an individual pace Flexible grouping may occur within classes, across classes or across year levels. Whole-year acceleration where appropriate.
ACCELERATION For some students, acceleration provides the most appropriate educational response. Acceleration decisions are carefully considered and may include: Advancing in a specific subject Accessing curriculum from higher year levels Early commencement of advanced subjects Full or radical year-level acceleration All acceleration decisions are made in partnership with students, families and staff and consider academic, social and emotional 11 readiness.
A CULTURE OF CHALLENGE At Kingswood College, we believe learning and growth require challenge. SEEK encourages students to: Persevere through difficulty Take academic risks Embrace mistakes as part of learning Develop resilience Strive for continual improvement We celebrate effort, curiosity and growth as much as achievement.
CROSS-AGE COLLABORATION Many highly able students benefit from connecting with others who share similar interests and passions. SEEK creates opportunities for: Vertical grouping across year levels Peer mentoring Collaborative projects Leadership experiences These opportunities help students develop strong relationships while reducing the isolation that gifted learners can sometimes experience. 12
IMPACT OF SEEK Through SEEK, we have observed significant benefits for students, including: Greater engagement in learning Improved confidence and wellbeing Increased attendance Increased self-advocacy Strong, sustained academic growth Greater willingness to take intellectual risks Enhanced wellbeing through belonging and connection Families frequently report increased motivation and enthusiasm for learning as students find opportunities that align with their strengths and interests.
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PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES Families play a vital role in supporting gifted and highly able learners. We value strong partnerships and encourage families to: Share observations and insights about their child Participate in Learning Journey Plan discussions Support student goal setting Maintain open communication with staff Celebrate effort and growth alongside achievement Together, we ensure students develop both their talents in order to thrive.
LOOKING AHEAD SEEK continues to evolve as we learn from students, families and staff. Our commitment remains clear: To create a school culture where every learner is known, challenged, supported and empowered to thrive. Innovation is not simply about programs. It is about creating the conditions in which every student can discover who they are, pursue what they love and achieve their personal best.
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CONTACT Chrissy Gamble
Principal E: Principal@KingswoodCollege.vic.edu.au P: +61 (0)3 9896 1700
Elli Lightbody
SEEK Coordinator E: Lightbody.E@KingswoodCollege.vic.edu.au P: +61 (0)3 9896 1700
Cathy McLean
Head of Individual Differences (Junior School) E: McLean.c@KingswoodCollege.vic.edu.au P: +61 (0)3 9896 1700
Other Useful Contacts Enrolments & Admissions
enrolments@kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au +61 (0)3 9896 1718
General enquiries
reception@kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au +61(0)3 9896 1700
kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au CRICOS 00150G