Students from 葫芦娃视频 schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently came together at NUspace, University of Newcastle, to take part in the听听Empower Exhibition. The event celebrates student agency and innovation through the presentation of original projects driven by students鈥� individual passions and interests.
The exhibition is designed to highlight the voice of students in the Diocese鈥檚 High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs. With families and peers in attendance, the exhibition offered a unique opportunity for students to share ideas that matter most to them.
Jasmin from St Mary鈥檚 葫芦娃视频 College, Gateshead, presented an exhibit focused on personal and global responsibility.
鈥淭oday, we鈥檙e displaying our agency through an exhibit. My exhibit is all about Responsibility and how our actions can have an impact,鈥� Jasmin shared.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me when you consider everything that is going on in the world at the moment. When there鈥檚 trouble, it鈥檚 important that we make a change and stand up for a brighter future.鈥�
鈥淚 really like that the Virtual Academy is about self-expression and is very self-directed 鈥� I can choose what I do with my learning. I feel proud that I have been chosen to be part of the academy and that my high potential has been recognised by others.鈥�
Lyla from St Joseph鈥檚 Primary School, East Maitland, used her love of mathematics to create engaging learning tools for others.
鈥淚鈥檝e noticed that a lot of people don鈥檛 enjoy maths, so I鈥檝e made some maths games to make it fun,鈥� Lyla said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me because I love maths, but I see people struggling and not enjoying it. I want people to have the same fun that I have when I鈥檓 doing maths.鈥�
鈥淭his is my second year in the Virtual Academy. I love that I can choose a subject that I鈥檓 interested in, or that inspires me 鈥� where I want to make a difference. I鈥檓 grateful that we have these opportunities to embrace our ideas and creativity.鈥�
The Empower Exhibition reflects the Diocese鈥檚 commitment to nurturing high potential and gifted learners through opportunities that are intellectually challenging and personally meaningful. The Virtual Academy aims to support students in becoming confident, capable contributors to their communities and the wider world.
