Norwood International High School: how STEM program entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with Norwood International High School, the SA Department for Education or ACER.
Norwood International High School's STEM program, for Years 7 to 9, takes students through an online application, a vodcast and three HAST papers. The next HAST date for Year 7 entry in 2028 is not published1Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
How does entry to Norwood's STEM program work?
Through the school's own online application, plus three HAST papers. Every applicant sends the online form, supporting documents and a teacher supporting statement, in zone or out of zone2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Fill in the online application
On Norwood's website, for the STEM curriculum pathway. 1Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published
Upload documents
These include the latest school report and Year 5 NAPLAN results2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Ask a teacher for a statement
A current teacher writes a short supporting statement. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
Record the vodcast
STEM applicants send a video answer (vodcast) of up to 2 minutes2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Sit the HAST
Three papers: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What does the STEM vodcast ask?
Applicants send a video answer (vodcast) of up to 2 minutes2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published, answering four set questions. Two ask about why your child wants to join, and what classmates would gain from having them2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The other two ask for a STEM experience your child is proud of, and a STEM struggle they overcame2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published. A real example from school, a club or home works better than big claims.
Pick one true story
A project, an experiment or a build your child actually did, with what went wrong and what they changed. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
Let your child speak
Notes are fine, a script read aloud isn't. The panel wants to hear your child, not a parent.
Keep it inside the time
Rehearse once with a timer so nothing gets cut off. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
Which HAST papers do Norwood applicants sit?
Three: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published. The school names no writing paper, unlike IGNITE's four. 3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
ACER sells the HAST as three or four tests, chosen by the school4Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published, so schools choose their own mix. Last round, Norwood asked families to contact the school if your child sat a similar HAST in early 20262Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Program | HAST papers |
|---|---|
| Norwood International, STEM | Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| IGNITE (Glenunga, The Heights, Aberfoyle Park) | Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published |
When is the next Norwood STEM test?
The next HAST date is not published1Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published. Norwood's pathways page shows applications as closed2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published, and its tour dates for the 2027 school year are still being finalised5Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What is Norwood's STEM program like?
It is a 3-year program in Years 7 to 96Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published, taught as integrated Science, Mathematics and Technologies6Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published with industry partners.
One integrated course
Science, Mathematics and Technologies are taught together, around real problems. 6Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published
Inside the IB Middle Years
All Norwood students take the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in Years 7 to 91Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What does the STEM program cost?
The STEM program has a course fee of A$2001Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published a year, on top of normal school costs. It covers extra materials and activities.
Can in-zone and out-of-zone students both apply?
Yes. The school asks every applicant for the online form, supporting documents and a teacher supporting statement, in zone or out of zone2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Norwood is listed by the Department for selective entry7SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, meaning it is allowed to select students by audition, test or interview7SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What are Norwood's other special interest pathways?
Norwood runs three selective pathways: Italian Immersion, Rowing and STEM1Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published. Each has its own application, and only STEM uses the HAST. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
The Department's lists also show Norwood under languages, for Adelaide High, Norwood (Italian Immersion) and Unley (French bilingual)7SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, and for the IB Diploma, with Aberfoyle Park, Glenunga, Norwood International and Roma Mitchell Secondary College7SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Where is Norwood International, and why is it in Magill?
Norwood International High School is at 505 The Parade, Magill SA 50721Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the foothills of eastern Adelaide5Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the address in your own map app.
The name comes from the school's start: it began on 25 January 1910, as Norwood District High School8Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published. The school moved to its Magill site in 19608Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Norwood International | What the school says |
|---|---|
| Students | About 1,7005Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Values | Curiosity, Community, Integrity and Diversity1Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Principal tours | About 905Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published minutes, with stairs; dates for the 2027 school year still being finalised5Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Phone | +61 8 8364 22995Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published |
Is there a cut-off score for Norwood's STEM program?
No score is published: the HAST result needed is not published2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Not published. The application, documents, teacher statement and vodcast all form part of selection. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
We don't rank schools or show Year 12 results, because neither tells you how STEM places are offered.
Is Norwood's STEM program a good fit for your child?
Talk these through together. Nothing is saved or sent.
Your child enjoys science, maths and building things, and has a story to tell about it. 2Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published
One integrated STEM course suits your child better than separate subjects. 6Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published
The yearly course fee works for your family. 1Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published
An IB school, with SACE or the IB Diploma later, suits you both. 1Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published
The trip to Magill works at school times.
Questions parents ask about Norwood International
Is Norwood International High School public?
Yes. It is a government school, run by the Department for Education6Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Can my child apply to Norwood and IGNITE?
They are separate applications with separate sittings. When the schools' test dates differ, ACER says a child sits a separate sitting at each school, on its own date9ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published, and IGNITE allows one school, one sitting3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
My child has already sat a HAST. Does it count?
Norwood doesn't say a past result can be reused, so ask the school. Last round, it asked families to contact the school if your child sat a similar HAST in early 20262Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is the STEM program the whole of Year 7 to Year 12?
No. It is a 3-year program in Years 7 to 96Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published; after that, students follow the pathway that best meets their needs1Norwood · 13 October 2026 · Published.