Gifted and talented education program - www.sacs.nsw.edu.au Sydney Square, Sydney - St Andrew's Cathedral School
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Gifted and talented education program At St Andrew’s we seek to ensure every learner is engaged and growing every day. This forms the basis of our learning model which demonstrates the attributes of our graduates. www.sacs.nsw.edu.au Sydney Square, Sydney
Gifted
students given
every chance
to thrive
St Andrew’s recognises Identification
the educational need to of Giftedness
While psychometric testing like WISC IV or V
cater for gifted students or Stanford Binet 5 are important tools in
of high or exceptional the identification of gifted and high ability
academic ability within a students, they are not the only measure
used at St Andrew’s. Multiple criteria
mixed ability cohort. We identification procedures are used to
identify students who display potential
aim to cater for highly giftedness and display high aptitude in Staff (qualified and experienced in
able and exceptional domain specific areas. Gifted Education)
students by providing For a formal identification of giftedness, We have a number of highly
a student’s abilities are identified by a qualified and experienced staff
specialised educational WIAT or Woodcock Johnson assessment. with post graduate qualifications
programs and learning It is preferred that they also have a formal in Gifted Education:
IQ assessment (WISC or Stanford Binet).
environments. In the Middle School gifted program, Mrs Penni Maher
students included in extension class Director of Specialised Learning K – 12
From our core values, we believe it is programs must continue to show high Masters of Special Education (USYD)
important to develop the talents of performance in standardised and other
academically gifted students, just as we do tests of academic ability. Mrs Rhonda Robson
any other student who may possess
Deputy Head of School (Primary)
sporting, musical or other talents. Scholarships (Previously a Coordinator
Academic Scholarships and Music of Gifted Education)
Definition of Scholarships are offered at a number of Certificate of Gifted Education (UNSW)
Giftedness and Talent entry points across the school. Information
about these scholarships is available on Mrs Emily Edwards
Gagnè’s definition states that: the school website. Coordinator of Gifted Education K-6
“Giftedness is the potential to perform at Masters of Gifted Education (UNSW)
a level considerably superior to one’s age
peers in one or more domains of ability. Dr Yvonne Hammer
Leader of Learning, Gifted Education 7 - 12
Talent, by contrast, is defined as significantly What is meant by
Certificate of Gifted Education (UNSW)
superior achievement or performance in “Twice Exceptional”? PhD Children’s and Young Adults Literature
one or more fields of human performance.
At St Andrew’s we recognise (Macquarie)
Comprehensive research supports providing that some high ability students
high ability students with advanced curricula may require specific support due Teachers with a Masters of Gifted
in core learning areas or domains at an to diagnosed disabilities and Education or Certificate
accelerated rate.” (Van Tassel Baska 2007). learning issues. of Gifted Education (UNSW)
Mrs Kate Robertson (Junior School music)
In order to assist the twice exceptional
High ability students’ needs Mrs Lucy Birts (Junior School)
learner, we examine each student’s
are met through: profile and focus upon developing
Ms Teegan Colusso (Secondary School)
Mrs Emily Adcock (Junior School)
1. The development of appropriate the whole student through the
Dr Kaye Chalwell (Junior School)
content, processes and learning following provisions: executive
environments functioning support, assistance in
scaffolding tasks, research support,
2. The delivery of academically rigorous
and adjustments for examinations
curricula that challenges and enhances
and assessments.
talent development in core learning areas
3. The fostering of a caring and
compassionate approach to the
affective development of high ability
and exceptional students.
How we cater for students • widen curriculum content to enhance Challenging
the learning experience of students
of high academic ability opportunities offered
• place emphasis on encouragement
Junior School program and positive expectation, with an to St Andrew’s
emphasis on success and not failure
At St Andrew’s Junior School we ensure all students include:
• prepare student programs in units
students are challenged at their ability level,
that can be accessed by students
with differentiated spelling, reading and
independently or in small groups
maths groups within each class. School-
wide assessment and screening processes • allow open-ended contracts
occur regularly, tracking the progress of all
• organise units of work that branch into
students to identify those students who may
supplementary content and research Junior School
need individualised assistance or benefit by
support when necessary
extension programs or provisions beyond Advanced placement homework
the core curriculum. • encourage educational and academic Accelerated classes
stimuli, with real, active and varied
Those high ability students assessed as Communication Problem Solving
choices for student participation.
being in the gifted category are placed in Curriculum compacting
year group or stage-based high ability
Gifted Education Above level testing
classes, called Accelerated Classes (also
known as opportunity classes) from Year 3 and the IB MYP Gifted and Talented profiles
to Year 6. The Gifted Education Committee A focus on the International Baccalaureate Grade skipping
decides which students would benefit most Middle Years Programme (MYP) inquiry-based Drama mentors
by placement in the Accelerated Class or learning model is a major feature of our Middle
Engaging with the experts
cluster groupings. Accelerated Classes focus School (Year 7-9) curriculum. This prepares
on creating momentum in learning, meaning students well for either the International Philosophy
the curriculum is compacted and students Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the
learn at a faster pace, with less repetition, Higher School Certificate in Senior College. Extra-curricular academic
alongside like-minded students.
Within the MYP framework, we encourage opportunities
St Andrew’s believes the social and organisational skills, individual research with Budding Shakespeares
psychological benefits of placing like-minded both interdisciplinary and global connections.
students together in a classroom is just as The MYP also creates inquisitive learners ICAS Examinations – full suite
important as the academic outcomes for these who integrate their own passion for learning IPSHA and ISDA Debating
students. They are offered a plethora of in a holistic way. In Middle School the
Harbourside Network
opportunities to excel, seize, soar and compete. subjects of English, Maths, Science, Music
and Language have extension classes to Future Problem Solving
St Andrew’s has broken new ground in
facilitating grade skipping for exceptional allow students of high ability to be extended. Da Vinci Decathlon
all-rounders and single subject acceleration These classes can change to allow for students
who show growing talent in a certain subject Gateway 8
for those who excel in one or more areas.
Students will only be accelerated if the area and the classes are regularly reviewed HICES G & T Camp
school believes it to be in the best interests by the Leader of Learning ensuring students
Interschool Chess Competition
of the student. are best placed.
Mathematical Olympiad
In Year 9 the students undertake the MYP
Secondary School program Personal Project, lasting 9 months, which Maths Challenge Camp
Through differentiated academic programs, is both demanding and rewarding. It is Parent information evenings
gifted or high ability and exceptional students externally moderated by the International with guest speaker
are enriched, extended and accelerated at Baccalaureate ensuring high global standards.
It allows high ability students to follow an Rubik’s Cube Club
St Andrew’s. Teachers are trained to develop
subject specific, academic curricula that area of passion to a high academic level they Writers festival
challenges students and increases talent may not have had the opportunity to study
Write-a-Book-in-a-Day
development. Programs are differentiated within their subject areas. Skills associated
by the use of: with in-depth study of unit modules are
promoted by MYP learning processes.
• Compacted curricula
• Faster pace delivery of content
• Acceleration Secondary school extra-curricular
• Enrichment and extension work academic opportunities
• Individual Learning Plans Da Vinci Decathlon
• Inquiry Based Learning ICAS Examinations – full suite
• PBLs HICES Interschool Debating
• Differentiated learning
Sydney Writers Festival
Maths Olympiad
Curriculum differentiation is achieved in
mainstream classes when teachers: Australasian Philosophon
• allow for the different abilities of gifted Australasian Maths Competitions
students, by providing curriculum Gateway 8
compacting, acceleration, and diversity
in teaching approaches,St Andrew’s:
St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a coeducational K-12
Anglican school, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
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St Andrew’s Cathedral School
Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000
ABN 34 429 367 893
phone +61 2 9286 9500
fax +61 2 9286 9550
email info@sacs.nsw.edu.au
CRICOS Registration: The Council of
St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M
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