Rowville Maths Science Academy

Information Evening May 2015

Mr Glenn FankhauserCollege Principal

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Introduction to MSA Information Evening

Rowville SC - Our Vision

“Opportunities for all

- aim high, embrace learning, reap rewards

We will be exemplary in our

passion for learning, with high expectations for

achievement and a dedication to providing for

diversity of talent and interest. We

strive to see students leave

Rowville Secondary College confident, happy and ready for success in a changing world.

Rowville Secondary

College

School ValuesThis is what we value and what we value we explicitly teach through our ConnectEd program and then through all that we do

Respect: act as you would like to be treated Responsibility: brave enough to play your part Excellence: nothing but your best Community: we are all in this together

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Our MSA Program is designed to...• Inspire high quality learning, innovation, creativity and

collaboration

• Provide a rich learning environment with ‘real world’ applications

• Engage with our scientists and mathematicians in residence

• Provide for extensive laboratory experiences

• Emphasise critical and higher order thinking skills • Provide opportunities for academic competitions

• Incorporate a variety of technology applications

INSPIRATION | INNOVATION | CREATIVITY

| COLLABORATION

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Maths Science Academy Staff

Mr Harold Cheung: Director MSA

Mrs Melissa Fraser: Student Management

and

Curriculum Coordinator

Mr Martin Buchholtz: Curriculum Coordinator

Mr Josh Larkins: Maths Coordinator

Ms Kim McMahon Science Coordinator

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Year 7 Curriculum Structure

Subject Number of periods per cycle

English 9

Enhanced Mathematics 9

Mathematics Design and Exploration 6

Enhanced Science 6

Science Design and Exploration 6

Health and Physical Education 6

Humanities 6

LOTE (Indonesian) 6

The Arts 6

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

7M 2015

Year 7 Camp

Music and Sport

INTERACT

Robotics

Scientist in Schools program7M working with ex-RSC-student Megan Dynan.Megan is currently in her final year of Medicine at Melbourne University

MSA Expo

Rowville Maths and Science Academy

What the data says

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

How can you tell if we make a difference?

We can compare the growth for MSA students over two years

from Yr 5 – 7 (Most of the learning occurs in the primary school years)

from Yr 7 – 9 (All of the learning occurs at RSC).

If the growth is greater at Yrs 7 – 9 it is RSC that is making the difference.

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

High, medium and low growth

High growth is defined as the growth made by the 25% of students in Victoria with the highest growth.

Medium growth is defined as the growth made by the next 50% of students in Victoria.

Low growth is defined as the growth made by the 25% of students in Victoria with the lowest growth.

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Numeracy Growth Year 9 2013 and 2014

In both years, the percentage of Year 9 students in the Rowville MSA program achieving high growth is well over double the percentage across Victoria. In 2013 nor 2014, no student in the Rowville Year 9 MSA program achieved low rates of growth, when across Victoria 25% of students did. Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Comparing Numeracy growth over two years of same student cohort

Year 5 – 7Relative growth(2012)

Year 7 – 9Relative growth(2014)

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Design and Exploration

Design and Exploration is designed around principles of inquiry and may involve some of the following activities:

Victorian Space Science Education Science works Museum Scientific laboratory/industry Fieldwork/excursion Robotics CSIRO Incursions Collaboration with Universities Mathematics/Science team Investigations Current mathematical and scientific issues (e.g.

Genetic engineering)

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Embedded opportunities  Competitions• Robotics Competitions • Mathematics Games Day• Australian Mathematics Competition• Australian National Science Quiz• The Big Science Competition• Mathematics Talent Quest• University of Melbourne Maths Competition

Citizenship opportunities:• Interact Rotary Club Membership/Activities• Discovery Day activities• Lunchtime Mathematics and Science Club• Primary school (maths games, science labs and peer

tutoring) Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Partnerships and Community Links

Scientist in Schools: Ms Megan Dynan

CSIRO Scientist: Dr Megan Gillespie

• University Engineering Lecturers and Students

• Staff and Student Mentors from the King David FRC team

CSIRO Mathematician in SchoolsDr Jason Looker

University/Industry Mentors

Duel Down Under

Supported By

ROTARY AND INTERACT

Laptops to enhance learning experiences

• The MSA program is built around students extensively using a laptop to engage in digital learning experiences

• Rowville Secondary College has introduced a BYOD policy this year and MSA students are able to bring their own laptop meeting required specifications.

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

• Connect Ed: at years 7–12 students participate in classes centred around wellbeing, community awareness, resilience and pathway development

• At year 7, a Peer Support Program whereby year 10 students provide assistance, guidance and support to year 7 students, is offered

 • The Senior School team along with the Careers Co-ordinator and

Managed Individual Pathways Co-ordinator, provide assistance and career advice to students

• Each class has a Learning Mentor (generally the Connect Ed teacher) who guides the students towards all areas of schooling success when needed.

• All students from years 7-10 will develop a digital portfolio. This allows them to showcase their achievements at school during student lead conferences in term three.

Pastoral Care Structure

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

The application process includes:

1. The submission of an Expression of Interest *

2. The online registration for the MSA Entry Exam is done via

the school website - $75 (a late fee of $225)

• Payment Online. No PAYMENT = No TEST

• Payment is by Credit Card Only

• No refund if you do not sit the test or do not get into the

academy

3. Students may also need to attend an interview

* The Expression of Interest form is available on the college

website.

How to apply for entrance into MSA

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Structure of the Entrance Exam

The exam is externally set and marked by Edutest. Parents will receive feedback on test performance.

The exam comprises of the following components: Aptitude Test: Verbal Reasoning (30 Minutes) Numerical Reasoning (30 Minutes) Achievement Test: Reading Comprehension (30 Minutes) Mathematics (30 Minutes) Writing Test: Creative (15 Minutes) An email notification regarding arrangements for the day will

be forwarded to parents

** The exam will be conducted on the 20th May @ Western Campus

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Program Costs

Current Levy

$1200 per year - $600 non refundable deposit paid on acceptance into the academy. Further $600 due November 2015.

This is reviewed annually.

Inclusions – College fees, Printing, Laboratory Coat and Protective Glasses, Combination Lock, School Magazine, Maths/Science Excursions/Incursions, Science Workshops, Materials for Maths /Science Exploration & Design Days, Technical Support.

Exclusions – Non Maths/Science Excursions/incursions, Camps and Urban Experience, Instrumental Music Tuition, Laptop and Repairs, Laptop bag, Text Books, Calculator and Electives.

(A Sport Levy for Years 7 & 8 of $70.00 is also required)

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

Key Dates and Timelines

Rowville Maths and Science Academy | “Excellence from the beginning”

EOI / Application Being accepted NOW

WEDNESDAY 13th May Online Registration closes $75

(late registration Fee $225)

WEDNESDAY 20th May Entry Examination at the Western Campus

INTERVIEWS By the end of term 2

EARLY TERM 3 Letters of Offer posted