The Department of Education's Challenge Enrichment program was rolled out in 2020 at Victorian government schools, to bolster the performance of students who'd displayed high achievement in maths and English.
There were nine students selected to participate in this year's English program from Guthrie Street Primary School, with a further seven students from Grahamvale, Kialla West, Kialla Central and Orrvale Primary School.
Guthrie Street Primary School high ability practice leader Claire Ratten said the program was giving students the further support they needed to excel.
“The idea of this day is to bring all of this together, have some fun, share some stories and meet like-minded people in the community,” she said.
“I just love them being extended, more than anything.”
The students were selected using NAPLAN data and classroom judgement.
Every Tuesday, the Greater Shepparton students tuned in to the online program, where a tutor would develop their English and writing skills through workshops and literary devices.
The culmination of their work was a piece of writing on the subject of "heroes,” and a final masterclass featuring word games, stories and an author's talk from Katherine Paterson.
Year 5 student Norah Long said English had always been one of her favourite subjects.
“The program let us know about the heroes’ journey and archetypal characters,” she said.
“I liked how it extended me as a writer, it's been a way to notice what could make my writing better and more interesting to the reader.”
Year 6 student Milla Petty wrote her story about a girl who found a map leading to a secret room in the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“I liked meeting new people and working with likeminded peers, extending my English and literacy,” she said.
“We learned how we can play on words, like puns, and how characters usually act, like the hero.”
Year 5 student Sally Nolan wrote about a girl who ended up on a desert island after a plane crash.
“I like how it was online and the platform was really easy to use, and being extended,” she said.
Year 6 student Cova Suarez Gonzalez wrote about a dancer who was sabotaged at a performance.
“I loved how it all led up to writing our own stories and sharing them with our masterclass,” she said.
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