The Challenge Program

The Challenge program at Campbell High School has been developed to expand the skills of those students who demonstrate a high level of ability in particular areas. Through this extensive program gifted and talented students are encouraged to develop their knowledge and abilities in their chosen award. The challenge program, through its requirements, places a strong emphasis on commitment and achievement as well as personal growth.

The program is open to all students in year 7 to 10, with registration being held early in term 1.  Students may elect to participate in challenge awards across a number of subject areas.  Currently, Campbell offers challenge award programs in:

Students can be enrolled in any number of awards in a particular year, but must ensure that they satisfy the individual requirements for each award.  See below for details for each Challenge Award.

There are also additional opportunities for students to be involved in a number of non competitive programs including forums such as Defence 2020, and creative talent displays such as Dancefest.

We invite all students to challenge themselves and enrol in one or more of the awards on offer.

English
Students who elect to enrol in the English Challenge will have access to a number of national and international literacy based competitions that will enhance and enrich their language arts experience at Campbell High School. They will also have exclusive invitations to Bell Shakespeare performances, college level seminars and workshops, and to the annual Campbell High School Writers’ Camp at Warrambui Retreat.

Languages
The languages challenge program is designed for students to make use of acquired language skills outside of their classroom. French and Japanese students are given the opportunity to showcase their language skills in competitions with students from other schools as well as consolidate their own knowledge through the tutoring of less advanced students. A strong emphasis is placed on academic rigour and is an invaluable experience for our avid language learners.

Leadership
Leadership is a special category which is only open to Year 10 students.  This program will give students opportunities to demonstrate initiative and community spirit through active participation in leaderships teams throughout the school. Successful Leadership Challenge applicants must always conduct themselves as excellent ambassadors for the school and embrace Campbell High School’s core values.

Maths
The Campbell High School Math Challenge Program enables students various opportunities to enrich, challenge, and further their mathematical understanding.  Math Challenge students will have the chance to participate in a variety of National and International Mathematics and Informatics Competitions, Tournament of the Minds, and a special Math program run at Campbell High School each term during Enrichment tailored for Math Challenge students.

Music
The Music Challenge Program encourages students to focus on their individual performance skills and musicality through solo recitals, small group performances and participation in school and extra-curricular concerts and events. Students enrolled in the program will be expected to maintain a disciplined approach to practice and tuition, and are required to be enrolled in at least one extra-curricular ensemble, as well as studying music in class. They will also have opportunities to attend concerts and workshops by both professional musicians and other schools.

Science
Students who elect to enrol in the Science Challenge will have access to a number of local, national and international science based competitions such as the Chem. Quiz and Rio Tinto’s Big Science Comp that will enhance and enrich their science experience at Campbell High School. They will also get invitations to various science camps, lectures, performances, seminars and workshops, and get invitations to various science camps, lectures, performances, seminars and workshops, and get recognition for their participation in the annual Tournament of the Minds (Maths and engineering section) to which Campbell High School sends a number of teams.

Sports
The Sports Challenge is designed to recognise students who not only excel at sport but also contribute to their sporting community. Students who like to participate in school sports carnivals, school representative teams and perform to a high level in a club sport should consider signing up for this challenge.  Students who don’t represent at a state or national level in a sport will need to ensure that they “give something back” to their local sporting community in order to successfully achieve this challenge.

SoSE
The SoSE challenge award enables students to actively participate in dealing with issues and debate, including with students from schools in the ACT region. Students are invited to participate in forums, conferences, competitions and debates that discuss both contemporary and historical issues of importance. Activities include Parliamentary Debating, The Simpson Prize, UN Youth conferences and Drawing the Lines. Senior students are also encouraged to participate in Work Experience and Youth Parliament activities.