The Enrichment program at Cerdon seeks to provide a diverse range of opportunities and experiences for all students, but in particular our gifted and talented girls.
Gifted students are those whose potential is distinctly above average in one or more of the following areas of ability at school – intellectual, creative, social, and physical. These students are able to learn more rapidly and in greater depth, compared to their peers.
Because of their nature, gifted students benefit from unique opportunities which both challenges and supports their pursuit for excellence in a particular area of interest, and aids in the development a lifelong passion for learning.
Our Enrichment program aims to provide students with the unique experiences they need; opportunities to explore and nurture their interests, to challenge their minds, to develop leadership skills, and to spend time and share ideas with like-minded individuals. Selection into any opportunities offered varies from the students’ own interest and willingness to participate in targeted selection, based on academic performance and/or staff nomination.
Activities offered vary from year to year depending on students’ interests, and complement the many sporting and cultural co-curricular activities also offered at the College.
Here are examples of some of the opportunities offered at Cerdon through the Enrichment program:
- National Science Youth Forum (National University, University of WA)
- The Science Experience (USyd, UNSW)
- The International Science School (USyd)
- Women in Science (Macquarie University)
- Women in Engineering (UNSW)
- Women in Engineering Summit (University of Wollongong)
- The CSIRO Holiday Science Program
- World Science Day
- The Eureka Challenge
- Maths Enrichment for Young Australians
- Maths Enrichment Day
- World Maths Day
- The SMH Write Now Competition
- The SMH Young Writer of the Year Competition
- The Somerset Novella Writing Competition
- The Dorothea Mackellar Competition
- The UNSW Law Essay Competition
- Rotary Youth Program of ENrichment (RYPEN)
- Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)
- The United Nations Youth Australia EVATT Competition
- Tournament of Minds
- Campion College Knowledge Challenge
- Cerdon College Knowledge Challenge
Year 11 Australian Business Week (ABW)
In addition to the many opportunities Cerdon students have at our College, in Term Four, Year 11 students have the opportunity to participate in Australian Business Week (ABW). Supported by Rotary, students get to experience a simulated business environment in which they operate a hotel in the Retail simulation. ABW is an initiative of ABW Enterprise Education.
Public Speaking
This competition is run by the Catholic Schools Debating Association and takes place towards the end of Term 1. Students compete from Catholic schools around the Sydney Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Schools can enter up to two students from Years 7-10 and four senior students. This competition has three stages: Rounds, Zone Final and the Grand Finals. Students must be successful in the previous stage in order to progress to the next.
Debating
Term 2 sees the commencement of the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) Debating Competition. Up to two teams per year group are selected to represent Cerdon College in this competition. There are six rounds in the first section of the season which attracts schools from all over the Sydney Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Following these rounds, teams compete in knockout rounds comprising of Elimination Rounds, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and a Grand Final. Winners of the Grand Final go on to compete at the State Finals.
Marist Oratory
The Marist Oratory is a unique Public Speaking competition open to all Marist schools in Sydney and surrounding areas. This annual (one night only) competition allows one student per year group from Years 7-10 and two from Years 11 and 12, to enter this prestigious event which takes place in Term 3. There are two categories:
- Prepared (Years 7-12)
- Impromptu (for seniors only)
Mock Trial
The Mock Trial Competition, which is run by the Law Society of NSW, allows Year 11 students to participate in “mock” court cases. Students compete with other schools in civil and criminal cases. Mock Trial assists students to develop their understanding of the Australian judicial system. It also helps students develop their debating skills, which focuses on listening, reading, writing, speaking, and analysing.
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)
MUNA is a competition that emulates the processes of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Year 11 students form small groups and have the opportunity to represent one UN country, and debate political and social issues from around the world. The competition helps students develop their public speaking and debating skills.
National Schools Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention is a program which helps students to develop their understanding of the Australian Constitution and the role it plays in our country. It gives students the opportunity to investigate and discuss constitutional issues and the Australian government. The competition helps students develop their public speaking skills.
Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds is a competition held in Term 3. Students work in groups of 7 with a mix of girls from Years 7 – 10. They choose a challenge from one of the 4 categories: Language Literature, Maths Engineering, or Social Sciences and Applied Technology. After 5 busy weeks full of hours of training and preparation, the teams find a solution to their challenge and express their answer in a 10 minute drama presentation before a panel of judges. They are also required to showcase their talents in an unseen spontaneous challenge on the day. The teams compete with over 20 teams from other schools in the Regional Final at the University of Western Sydney. Winning teams progress to the State Final at University of NSW.