Aspire Program - Year 7 2027

The Aspire Program at Callaghan College Wallsend Campus enables high potential and gifted students to shine in a stimulating and supportive high school environment. The aim of the program is to move students with high potential to high performance.

Click here to apply

About the Aspire Program

The Aspire Program offers a compacted and accelerated curriculum for students demonstrating strong academic ability. Students participate in integrated units of work and are encouraged to take part in activities such as public speaking, external exams, and academic challenge days.

Through these experiences, students develop advanced academic skills and positive attitudes toward learning, setting them up for success through their secondary years.

The Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. It supports students to reach their full potential through talent development opportunities and differentiated teaching and learning practices that respond to their specific learning and wellbeing needs.

 Who should apply?

Year 6 students who have a positive attitude to learning, and who can demonstrate that they possess high potential in one or more of the HPGE domains: intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical.

Successful Aspire applicants have:

Follow these simple steps

  1. Complete the online application form: LINK
  2. Download the Learning Portfolio: LINK
  3. Keep an eye out on the family email for full information about the process, including dates and links.
  4. Attend the 2-hour online exam at Wallsend Campus (no supporting documents required). Make sure you know your student login e.g. john.citizen2@education.nsw.gov.au as you will need this to log into the exam
  5. Attend a 15-minute interview, where you will present your completed Learning Portfolio
  6. If successful, accept your position!

Aspire Application Timeline for Year 7 2027

It is important that you keep your phone number, email and postal address up to date with your primary school. We also advise that if you change your email address, to notify us as well.

Term 1, 2026
Friday 27 February - Online Application Form opens - LINK
Term 2, 2026
Friday 8 May - Online Application Form CLOSES
Tuesday 26 May - Aspire Program Exam - Make sure you know your student login e.g. john.citizen2@education.nsw.gov.au as you will need this to log into the exam
Term 3, 2026
Wednesday 22 - Friday 24 July - Individual interviews (15 minute) held across these days. Students will be notified of their interview time and date at the exam
Friday 31 July - Students will be notified of the outcome of their application by this date. A notification will be sent to the family email address.
Thursday 13 August - Last date for successful applicants to accept or decline their offered position