Distinction Courses are high-level HSC courses specifically designed to provide new study opportunities for exceptionally gifted and talented students. The courses were developed by the Board of Studies to be challenging, broadly based HSC courses approximating first year university study. The courses are delivered by universities through external studies distance education mode. They require students to employ independent learning approaches to study and assignments, to use electronic mail communications with their lecturers and fellow students, and to attend residential seminars to interact not only with their peers but also with experts in the field of study. The courses provide an opportunity for a type of study that HSC students otherwise may not gain. Part of the attraction of these courses for accelerated students lies in the fact that they study and socialise with like-minded highly talented students, and that they study in a university environment during the residential schools.Three courses have been offered: Comparative Literature, Cosmology, Philosophy.
Cost
Students enrol through their school. Costs are for residential schools and texts.
Age Groups
To be eligible for consideration for participation in the Distinction Course Program, students must be accelerants who are presenting for the HSC examination in one or more courses at the highest level (usually 3 Unit) a year ahead of their cohort. Prospective students are invited by the Board to consider undertaking a Distinction Course. Eligible students obtain detailed information about the courses and their implementation at an Information Day held annually immediately after the completion of the HSC examinations, usually at the University of Sydney.
A UWS Continuing Education initiative, the GLOW program encourages Growth, Learning and Opportunity for young people in the West. Explore our holiday workshops and day trips for young people in creative arts, science and technology, sport and recreation, languages and culture and much more.
Minds in Motion provides quality programs for talented and gifted children and their families. Learn to nurture, encourage and support your child with UWS holiday programs, short course and weekend retreats.
Age Groups
8 -17 years
Contacts
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797
PENRITH SOUTH DC NSW 1797
Phone: (02) 9852 5222
Fax: (02) 9852 5960
Email: ovc.wwwmgr@uws.edu.au
Run annually by the School of Education, in conjunction with NSW Department of Education and Training, Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Hunter Region Independent Schools and NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children, this vacation school offers workshops on a variety of topics and provides the opportunity for students to participate in extension/enrichment activities to further develop their special interests, gifts and talents. The program is designed within a hands-on workshop situation. Children will work with one or two workshop leaders in a single workshop for a two-day period. The workshop leaders are school teachers, university staff or experts in their chosen field. All have a special interest in gifted and talented education.
