REACH

At Bundoora Secondary College, the REACH program is dedicated to extending a student’s academic excellence and personal growth. This initiative offers an accelerated curriculum, enabling students to deepen their learning in a supportive-enriched environment.

RIGOUR, Enrichment, Acceleration, Challenge, and High-Ability learning.

The REACH program at BSC provides an accelerated curriculum, enabling students to begin Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subjects earlier. This approach enhances academic potential and better prepares students for university. Participants are challenged with deeper learning and benefit from working alongside like-minded peers in a supportive, enriched environment.

Selection for REACH occurs before Year 7, placing students on an accelerated pathway that recognises and nurtures high potential. Progressing through subject content at a faster pace, REACH students experience:

  • Mastery of skills through additional practice and refinement

  • Deepened thinking via inquiry-based projects

  • Enrichment activities that connect learning to real-world challenges

Guided by skilled teachers and surrounded by motivated peers, REACH students are encouraged to demonstrate commitment both inside and outside the classroom. They are supported to pursue leadership roles and participate in extracurricular activities that reflect their passions, including sport, public speaking, and community engagement.

Here are just some of the programs our REACH students have access to:

Swinburne Children’s University

This initiative empowers high-ability students to extend their academic skills while developing leadership and community service through real-world, enriched experiences beyond the classroom. Students log their achievements in a Passport and are recognized at a formal university graduation ceremony.

Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES)

CHES offers high-achieving senior secondary students the opportunity to study first-year university-level and select VCE subjects, bridging the gap between secondary and tertiary education. Programs are delivered through a flexible hybrid model, with both online and on-site options at a state-of-the-art facility. Students who successfully complete Higher Education Studies (HES) can earn university credits, contributing to their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and giving them a valuable head start in future university studies.

Recently, out of 100 students selected across Victoria, 17 were from Bundoora Secondary College—a testament to the talent, dedication, and growth of our students.

University of Melbourne

Students can participate in the prestigious Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program and the Emerging Leaders Program, both designed to extend academic achievement and foster leadership development.

Deakin University
The Accelerate Program at Deakin University is a VCE extension studies initiative for high-achieving Year 12 students. It allows participants to gain university credit by completing two first-year Deakin University units during their final year of school. The program offers flexibility, enabling students to study either on campus at one of Deakin’s four locations or online. This experience not only provides a taste of university life but can also boost students’ ATAR scores and reduce future degree costs.

Alpine School of Leadership
For over 20 years, the Alpine School of Leadership has supported students through a state-wide residential program for Year 9 government school students. This experience helps students grow as citizens and leaders by fostering self-awareness, social engagement, community connection, and environmental stewardship.

Additionally, REACH students benefit from a wide range of extension opportunities, such as excursions, incursions, and valuable mentorship programs.

Unique university partnerships with La Trobe University and RMIT provide students with authentic tertiary learning experiences, available from Year 7 (Entry) through to Year 12 (Graduate).

For families, the REACH program embodies the spirit of Bundoora Secondary College—fostering curiosity, building resilience, and empowering every student to exceed their own expectations.

If you seek a school committed to academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity, the REACH program at BSC is the ideal choice for your child.