Student Excellence

Maths Talent Quest (MTQ)

Karoo will be participating in the Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) this year, run by the Mathematical Association of Victoria.   Our students in previous years worked hard and produced some amazing projects, and we were honoured to receive the MTQ award for Most Outstanding School in both 2023 and 2024.

Passionate maths enthusiasts in Years 3 to 6 are invited to take part in the MTQ, with students choosing to enter individually or in small groups. Work is completed primarily at home, with sessions scheduled during class time to support the students with their projects.

The Maths Talent Quest is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and mathematical thinking. The focus is not just on finding an answer, but on the entire process of mathematical investigation.  We look forward to seeing the amazing ideas and investigations that our young mathematicians will explore this year!

Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES)

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) is a Department of Education initiative designed to extend and enrich learning for high-ability students across Victorian government schools. These engaging programs provide opportunities for students to connect with peers across schools and take part in activities that challenge their thinking and stretch their capabilities. At Karoo, we will be participating in a range of VCES offerings tailored to our students, allowing them to dive deeper into areas of interest and develop their critical and creative thinking skills. These will include live online Writing workshops with authors, Next Stage Drama workshops, and the Victorian Coding Challenge. 

Think Science!

Think Science! is an exciting opportunity that encourages young scientists to explore the world around them. Working with our Science teacher, Miss Smith, in small teams of 2 to 4, selected students from Years 3-6 will design and carry out their own science investigation on a topic of their choice. Each team will present their findings in a short video, highlighting both their investigation and their scientific thinking. This is a fantastic chance for students to showcase their curiosity, creativity, and collaboration as budding scientists!

Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)

VHAP is a Department of Education initiative that provides high-ability students in Years 5–8 with the opportunity to engage in a 10-week online enrichment program in either English or Mathematics. Delivered by expert educators, the program is designed to extend students’ thinking, deepen their understanding, and connect them with like-minded peers across the state.

We congratulate the Karoo students selected to take part in the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)  – we are thrilled to see you representing Karoo and embracing this opportunity to stretch your thinking and challenge yourselves beyond the classroom.

 ICAS

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies. ICAS results are in-depth and meaningful, and ICAS evaluates student performance against other competition entrants across the state and nation. The data reveals student strengths and weaknesses and can help you recognise and support your child’s academic journey.    

 We are proud to be offering ICAS to our students this year and encourage Karoo families to consider entering your child in this rewarding experience.