Lighthouse Academic Excellence Program

Lighthouse Academic Excellence Program

Year 4-9

The purpose of this program is to allow highly capable students opportunities to extend themselves in fields that are of interest to them, whilst developing thinking skills and being exposed to experiences that expand their horizons in all areas of their school life. The Lighthouse Curriculum Program focuses on developing, extending and enriching knowledge acquisition and higher order thinking from Years 4-9. Students are grouped with like-minded learners who are encouraged to extend their experiences beyond the classroom.  There is one Lighthouse class per Year level with access to virtual classrooms and resources including preloaded content and extension tasks to enable them to pre-read, accelerate assessment timelines and extend in project areas of interest.

The aim of  the Lighthouse Program is to provide an academically rigorous program for students in Years 4-9 who have demonstrated a strong interest and commitment towards their studies. The program is designed to broaden and deepen students’ knowledge in English, Maths, Science and Humanities (in particular) allowing them to make a successful transition into the senior school and beyond.

The program is specifically designed to develop 21st Century learners by maximising intellectual potential in an environment that promotes a strong culture of academic excellence. Applicants are assessed on academic results, behaviour, attitude and an exam. We encourage all Lighthouse students to be ‘excellent’ in all facets of the school community and leaders in upholding our Stretton SPIRIT values.

Places within the Lighthouse Academic Excellence Program are very competitive, with a large number of students applying each year. Students are required to complete an “on demand" short writing task (years 4 - 6 only) and undertake the Australian Council for Educational Research General Ability Test. The General Ability Test assesses student ability to use verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning, giving a comprehensive picture of each students' general ability.

In addition to the General Ability Test and short writing task, school based academic data will also be considered in determining positions within the program. Places may also be offered based on merit, academic performance, behaviour and effort during 2021/2022/2023,2024 should places become available during the year.

Lighthouse positions are awarded annually. Excellent academic performance and learning behaviours must be maintained to ensure their position in the program remains current for the entire year.

Applications for positions in the 2025 Lighthouse Academic program are now open – see the information above. ​

Writing task and ACER General Ability Test (AGAT)

Each year students undertake a combination of a writing task and also the ACER General Ability Test (AGAT) as part of the Lighthouse Program selection process. 

Lighthouse Testing Dates: 

All applicants for positions in 2025 Years 4 - 6:

•                     Date: Tuesday 9th July 2024

•                     Times:

                       Students in Year 4 2025: 9am-10:45am

                       Students in Year 5 2025: 11:30am-1:00pm

                        Students in Year 6 2025: 1:15pm-2:45pm

•                     What to bring: Full charged iPad, pencils and rubbers, water bottle and light snack.

External applicants for positions in 2025 Years 7 - 9:

•                     Date: Tuesday 9th July 2024

•                     Time: 9am-10:00am  

•                     Students should present to our administration office 15 minutes prior 

                       to testing time, and bring a fully charged device and something to 

                       write with. 

Internal applicants for positions in 2025 Years 7-9:

Testing will be conducted during school hours. Students require a fully charged working device and something to write with. If they do not have a device, they need to contact Ms McDonald to arrange a loan device prior to the testing day. 

•                     Students in Year 7 2025 will test on Tuesday 9th July: 9am-10am

•                     Any applicants for Year 8 2025 or Year 9 2025, not currently in the

                      2024 Lighthouse Program, will test on Tuesday 9th July: 1:35pm-

                      2:45pm

•                     Current 2024 Lighthouse students who are applying for Year 8 

                      2025 or Year 9 2025 will test on Wednesday 10th July: 1:35pm-2:45pm ​​

​​​​​​Program costs