www.sacs.nsw.edu.auSydney Square, Sydney

Gifted and talented education programAt St Andrew’s we seek to ensure every learner is engaged and growing every day. This forms the basis of our learning model which challenges and develops all learners.

St Andrew’s recognises the need to cater for gifted and talented students within an inclusive cohort. We aim to provide specialised educational programs and opportunities.

From our core values, we believe it is important to develop the talents of academically gifted students, just as we do any other student who may possess sporting, musical or other talents.

Definition of Giftedness and Talent

Gagnè’s definition states that:

“Giftedness is the potential to perform at a level considerably superior to one’s age peers in one or more domains of ability.

Talent, by contrast, is defined as significantly superior achievement or performance in one or more fields of human performance.

Comprehensive research supports providing high ability students with advanced curricula in core learning areas or domains at an accelerated rate.” (Van Tassel Baska 2007).

Gifted and talented students’ needs are met through:

1. The development of appropriate content, processes and learning environments

2. The delivery of academically rigorous curricula that challenges and enhances 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.

Identification of GiftednessWhile psychometric testing like WISC IV or V or Stanford Binet 5 are important tools in the identification of gifted and talented students, they are not the only measure used at St Andrew’s. Multiple criteria are used to identify students who display giftedness.

ScholarshipsAcademic Scholarships and Music Scholarships are offered at a number of entry points across the school. Information about these scholarships is available on the school website.

Talent development and networking opportunities• Individual talent recognition and advancement

• Subject acceleration

• Inter-school, state and national representation, eg. music, Theatresports, debating philosophy, problem-solving

• Entrepreneurial opportunities, eg. SACS StartUp program

• Access to niche businesses, professionals, institutions, organisations, scholarships and grants, eg. networking events for students, staff and parents with specialists.

Staff (qualified and experienced in Gifted Education)

We have a large number of highly qualified and experienced staff with post graduate qualifications in Gifted Education.

St Andrew’s also provides opportunities for all staff to participate in further professional development opportunities in conjunction with UNSW Faculty of Education - specialising in the field of Gifted Education.

Mrs Rhonda RobsonDeputy Head of School (Primary)(Previously a Coordinator of Gifted Education)Certificate of Gifted Education (UNSW)

Mrs Joanne Raheb-MolLeader of Learning, Specialised Learning 7-12Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, (Swinburne University of Technology)Master of Inclusive Education (CSU)

Ms Cathy DangarCoordinator of Specialised Learning K-6Masters of Education (CSU)Graduate Certificate of Special Education (CSU)

Ms Esteé StephensonLeader of Learning (Gifted Education) 7-12Certificate in Special Education (UOW)Master of Gifted Education (UNSW, 2019)Master of Education (UOW) – Major in Special Education

Mrs Lucy BirtsCoordinator of Gifted Education K-6Masters of Gifted Education (UNSW)

Others with post-graduate qualifications in Gifted EducationMrs Kate RobertsonMs Teegan ColussoMrs Emily EdwardsDr Kaye Chalwell

Gifted and talented students given every chance to thrive

How we cater for gifted and talented students

Junior School program

At St Andrew’s Junior School we ensure all students are challenged at their ability level. School-wide assessment and screening processes occur regularly, tracking the progress of all students to identify those students who may need individualised assistance or benefit from extension programs or provisions beyond the core curriculum. Junior School class structures include several strategies which address the needs of gifted learners.

Students assessed as being in the gifted category are placed in Accelerated classes (opportunity classes), from Year 3 to Year 6. The Gifted Education Committee decides which students would benefit by placement in the Accelerated class or cluster groupings. Accelerated classes focus on creating momentum in learning, meaning the curriculum is compacted and students learn at a faster pace, with less repetition, alongside like-minded students.

St Andrew’s believes the social and psychological benefits of placing like-minded students together in a classroom is just as important as the academic outcomes for these students.

St Andrew’s has established clear guidelines in our acceleration policy, facilitating grade skipping for exceptional all-rounders and single subject acceleration for those who excel in one or more areas. Student acceleration K-12 is governed by the SACS Gifted Education policy which complies with NESA acceleration guidelines.

Features of the Junior School program: Accelerated classes; curriculum compacting; advanced placement; above-level testing; Gifted & Talented profiles.

Secondary School program

Through differentiated academic programs, gifted or talented students may participate in enriched, extended or accelerated learning experiences at St Andrew’s. Teachers are trained to develop subject specific, academic curricula that challenges students and increases talent development. Programs are differentiated in several ways: enrichment and extension; compacting the curriculum; advanced placement; advanced or accelerated provisions.

Middle School extension classesProvisions for gifted learners in Middle School occur as a regular curriculum provision. Extension classes allow the grouping of identified students for core subjects in English, Mathematics, Science and Technology. Advanced learning options also occur in LOTE classes and in Music.

The placement of students in these classes includes performance-based decisions as well as evidence gathered from external test and competition results. This focus supports our emphasis upon talent development as students move through the Middle Years of schooling and make decisions for further Senior School studies.

Gifted Education and the IB MYP A focus on the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) inquiry-based learning model is a major feature of our Middle School (Year 7-10) curriculum. This prepares students well for either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the Higher School Certificate in Senior College.

Within the MYP framework, we encourage organisational skills, individual research with both interdisciplinary and global connections. The MYP also creates inquisitive learners who integrate their own passion for learning in a holistic way. In Middle School the subjects of English, Maths, Science, Music and Language have extension classes to allow students of high ability to be extended. These classes can change to allow for students who show growing talent in a certain subject area and the classes are regularly reviewed by the Leader of Learning. All extension and mixed ability classes provide extension work in the curriculum.

In Year 9 the students undertake the MYP Personal Project, lasting 9 months, which is both demanding and rewarding. It is externally moderated by the International Baccalaureate ensuring high global standards. It allows high ability students to follow an area of passion to a high academic level they may not have had the opportunity to study within their subject areas. Skills associated with in-depth study of unit modules are promoted by MYP learning processes.

Junior School ICAS Examinations – full suite

IPSHA and ISDA Debating

Harbourside Network

Future Problem Solving

Da Vinci Decathlon

Maths Mentors

Gateway 8

HICES G & T Camp

Interschool Chess Competition

Mathematical Olympiad

Maths Challenge Camp

Philosophy

Writers festival

Write-a-Book-in-a-Day

Secondary SchoolDa Vinci Decathlon

ICAS Examinations – full suite

Inter-school Debating

Sydney Writers Festival

Mathematical Olympiad

Australasian Philosothon

Australasian Maths Competitions

Gateway 8

Challenging extra-curricular academic opportunities offered to students.

St Andrew’s:

St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a coeducational K-12 Anglican school, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

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

www.sacs.nsw.edu.au