Academic Extension Program (AEP)

The Academic Extension Program (AEP) at Aranmore Catholic College is designed for students who are academically within the top 10% nationwide. The program aims to encourage and guide their development throughout high school and celebrate their hard work and growth.

Students in Year 7 and 8 in 2024 are invited to be join the AEP and will continue in the program throughout their time at the college, subject to twice-yearly reviews.

Invitation into the AEP is based on, but not limited to, AGAT, PAT Math and PAT Reading test scores, school reports and a positive attitude and willingness to engage and learn.

Please note that students on an Academic Excellence Scholarship are automatically enrolled in the AEP.

Placement in the program is subject to the below criteria.

• Attends and participates in school events (eg, sporting, retreat and activity days, Mass, Founders' Day and Awards Presentation Evening).
• Is engaged with the College community through stewardship and leadership.
• Demonstrates excellent behaviour and a high standard of uniform and grooming.
• Exhibits proficient self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management.
• Upholds a high attendance rate.    
• Maintains a minimum of a B grade for each subject.
• Scholarships can be withdrawn at the College’s discretion following any breach / breaches of the College Code of Conduct.

• Individualised student profile based on students’ interests and goals during high school and beyond, in addition to analysed data obtained from student testing.
• Personalised academic extension plan made available to teachers of the student.
• Continual support and monitoring from the AEP coordinator, eg, assistance in applying for school and university-based scholarships.
• Opportunities to be involved in activities and programs, eg, relevant national and international competitions, projects, incursions, excursions, university and industry visits and mentoring.
• Participation in timetabled AEP lessons.

AEP lessons run for the full year in both Year 7 and 8.

Content covered in AEP lessons varies depending on the pursuits and requirements of students in attendance. Examples include philosophy and ethics, study techniques, competition preparation, the importance of wellbeing, debating, public speaking and confident communication, reasoning (abstract, spatial, kinetic, verbal, numerical and logical), and tailored curriculum extension activities.

Year 7 and 8 AEP lessons are timetabled on the same elective line as rugby, netball and music lessons, therefore, at the discretion of the college, students on an Academic Excellence Scholarship and/or in the AEP may be eligible to be part of ONE of the following: rugby program, netball program or music program. In these circumstances lessons dedicated to the selected program will be attended instead of AEP lessons, however, these students will still be offered the opportunities listed previously.

For further information, please email the Coordinator of Academic Extension, Sonya Cerny. 

Academic Excellence Scholarships

To foster and enhance the academic culture of the College, the College Advisory Council is offering the equivalent of five (5) Academic Excellence Scholarships to exceptional students who are academically achieving within the top 10% nationwide for each year level from 7-10.

Year 6 students, as well as current and incoming Year 7-10 students, may apply, and the scholarship is tenable up to and including Year 10. The type of scholarship (partial, offering a 50% of college fees, or full, offering 100% remission of college fees) may be modified at the discretion of the College. For example, a recipient of a partial scholarship may be upgraded to a full scholarship upon significant improvement, a full scholarship may be reduced to a partial scholarship, or the scholarship may be revoked.

Earning the scholarship depends on, but is not limited to, AGAT, PAT Math and PAT Reading test scores, school reports, as well as a positive attitude and a willingness to engage and learn.

For further information, please email the Coordinator of Academic Extension, Sonya Cerny.