Extending Curiosity. Inspiring Critical Thinkers.

The ASPIRE Program at Mercedes College is a specialised academic enrichment initiative designed to support students with strong curiosity, potential and a desire to engage deeply with learning. ASPIRE provides a stimulating and flexible environment where students are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas and develop skills beyond the standard curriculum.

What is ASPIRE?

ASPIRE is an academic extension program that offers enriched learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom. The program is not driven by formal assessment, allowing students to engage meaningfully with concepts, ask questions and pursue areas of interest in a supportive and collaborative setting.

Through workshops, projects and inquiry-based learning, ASPIRE encourages higher-order thinking and intellectual confidence while complementing the core curriculum.

Who is ASPIRE for?

ASPIRE is designed for students who:

• Demonstrate academic ability or learning potential

• Show curiosity and a willingness to question and explore ideas

• Benefit from intellectual challenge and flexible learning

• May feel disengaged by traditional curriculum structures

Students are selected through a holistic process that considers ACER PAT testing, teacher nomination, attendance and overall academic performance.

Student Experience: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Student experience is central to the ASPIRE Program. Students respond with enthusiasm to the opportunity to explore diverse topics without the pressure of assessment, and to collaborate with peers across year levels (Years 7–8 and Years 9–10).

Learning is organised around broad conceptual themes, enabling students to investigate ideas from multiple perspectives. Recent learning has explored concepts such as power and space, allowing students to follow areas of personal interest while developing deeper understanding.

Students participate in cross-curricular projects, external challenges and real-world learning experiences, including:

• Da Vinci Decathlon – An academic competition where students tackle ten disciplines including engineering, mathematics, science, and creative thinking.

• Creative Edge Challenge – An educational competition that develops critical and creative thinking through innovative problem-solving tasks.
• Excursions to the Muesum and Art Gallery

Through these experiences, students develop critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication and confidence, skills that are transferable across all learning areas and future pathways. ASPIRE supports students to embrace challenge, learn from setbacks and discover new ways to engage with the world around them.