Learning Enrichment and Support

Our learning enrichment and support programs ensure that students are matched with the teaching and learning environment that best suits their needs and abilities.

Importantly, we recognise that education is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach, particularly for children with learning needs, regardless of whether high potential or learning support.

As well as providing clear channels of communication between teachers, parents, support staff and outside agencies, we employ a range of initiatives to support our learning enrichment and support programs. These include modifications to the curriculum, teaching strategies and/or facilities, student observations and monitoring, and data collection.

The goals of learning enrichment and support at St Columba include:

• Identification of students with higher learning needs through a staff referral process
• A collaborative approach to planning Individual Plans (IPs) for students
• Advocating for students with higher needs
• Seamless integration of higher needs students into the wider school community
• Sourcing support funding and applying it prudently
• Developing the skills of teachers in meeting the various needs of students
• Incorporating ICT to meet the teaching and learning needs of students

To learn more about Learning Enrichment and Support at SCAS, please get in touch.

Mathematics Academic Enrichment

St Columba Anglican School offers a range of mathematics enrichment opportunities designed to extend and challenge students beyond the standard curriculum. Many activities are delivered through differentiation in the normal process of teaching and learning. These programs are built into departmental programs of study and are accessed through classroom teaching and learning.

Enrichment Goals:

• Recognise that high potential students have different learning needs
• Provide challenging, open-ended problem-solving opportunities
• Develop deeper mathematical thinking through complexity and abstraction

Programs for All Students

St Columba provides opportunities for all students through external competitions and events. 

• Australian Mathematics Competition (August 2026)

  Australia's largest and most established maths competition, open to Years 7–12. Students complete a 60–75 minute paper featuring challenging, multi-step problems.

• ICAS Mathematics (August 2026)
  A nationally recognised competition that builds confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills across all year levels.

Targeted Programs for High Potential Students

High potential students are those whose potential exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains. Identified students will be provided opportunities to learn collaboratively in like-minded groups. Students are identified through ability testing, classroom performance, and teacher nomination.

• Da Vinci Decathlon (Term 2)

  Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics and chess, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy. Students are selected based on aptitude and merit for this event. 

• Mathematics Challenge (Term 2)
  A classroom-based extension program for Years 7–9, in which students work independently with teacher guidance, over 3–4 weeks. Focuses on collaborative problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.

• Maths Enrichment Program (Term 2)
  An intensive 10–16 week extension course for selected students, featuring material beyond the standard curriculum to prepare students for higher levels of mathematics. Students are typically extracted from normal classes once a week

• Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO) (September 2026)
  A 4-hour competition for talented Years 7–10 students, featuring complex, multi-stage problems requiring deep mathematical reasoning. 

For more information, please contact the Mathematics department.