GRC Oatley provides a multifaceted program based on the perceived needs of the gifted and talented, catering for both individual students and the group as a whole.
Students are invited to participate in the Gifted and Talented program through an identification process based on:
- Standardised tests
- School assessment
- Teacher Nomination
- Parent/student Nomination
- Application (Platinum Class)
School based program
Through the unique tutorial program, our gifted and talented students will experience a range of activities, designed to address the challenges encountered by gifted students in a new senior school environment:
- Develop better interpersonal interactions
- Affirm students’ abilities and encourage their talents
- Introduce motivation strategies
- Emphasise stress and coping strategies
- Overview of assessment preparation
- Explore the importance of resilience and self esteem
- Foster leadership, collaboration and diversity
- Encourage connectedness
Curriculum
At GRC Oatley, we offer our students the broadest curriculum in the State with 80 courses onsite.
Students can access more TVET courses offsite, more languages through the NSW School of Languages and Saturday School of Community Languages. Every student is given the best opportunity to study the subjects, which suit their interest, ability and future career goals.
We offer the full range of extension courses in Languages, Music, Ancient and Modern History, English, Science and Mathematics, including Double Extension courses in both Mathematics and English. The study opportunities, the facilities and the more adult ethos help students’ better bridge the gap between school, tertiary study and training.
Platinum Class Program
This is a program for students who have been identified as showing high academic aptitude and who have high academic aspirations. GRC Oatley recognises that highly capable students have particular learning requirements and expectations that need to be nurtured to ensure they are extended beyond the confines of the curriculum. The establishment of a Platinum Class Program can better cater for these students in that it will provide a supportive learning environment and a more challenging curriculum delivery that will enrich and extend the students’ learning (See next section for more information regarding this program).
Co-Curricular Program
There is a full co-curricular program, including college and school bands, recreational and competition sports, State Titration Competition with success at regional and State levels, drama and creative and other performing arts, university, state and national competitions in an array of subject areas.
Development Opportunities
Through its strong links with a range of educational and corporate organisations, GRC Oatley is able to offer our gifted and talented students many opportunities to participate in a range of programs including:
- University of Wollongong Discovery Day
This program provides an opportunity for our gifted and talented students to participate in a wide range of exclusive activities, events, master classes, special information sessions and workshops. In addition, we have access to a dedicated information and enquiry service allowing staff and students to engage with UOW on a personal level.
Our students have also been able to participate in:
- University of Wollongong Elevate Leadership Conference
- UBS finance Academy
- L’Oréal Girls in Science Forum (through UNSW)
- Yunus Social Business Hub (through UNSW)
- Western Sydney University Young Entrepreneurs Business Skills Day
- Co-Op Scholarships workshops
Graduate Destinations
Approximately 85% of students who were eligible for an ATAR were successful in gaining a place in the course of their choice at university. The average ATAR of our gifted students is the same as the local selective high schools. Our gifted students regularly achieve the highest ATAR possible (99.50) and are placed on the NSW Premier’s Honours List and the HSC Distinguished Achievers List.
Platinum Classess
GRC Oatley Senior Campus recognises that highly capable students have particular learning requirements and expectations that need to be nurtured to ensure their potential is fully realised.
The establishment of a Platinum Class Program can better cater for these students in that it will provide a supportive learning environment and a more challenging curriculum delivery that will enrich and extend the students’ learning.
Aim
- To meet the needs of a specific group of students who have been identified as showing high academic aptitude and who have high educational aspirations.
- The Platinum Class Program will be committed to providing high achieving students with a fulfilling and challenging education that will allow them to develop their particular talents and areas of academic interest.
What curriculum will Platinum Class students follow?
- Our Platinum Class students follow the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) Curriculum, but work presented is more intellectually challenging, ensuring deeper understanding, with improved problem solving and thinking skills.
- The Platinum Class Program will allow students to progress through school ensuring they remain challenged with work appropriate to their abilities. Emphasis is placed on higher order level thinking, problem-solving and academic achievement.
- Platinum Class students will be encouraged to become involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and events, including sports, academic competitions, performing arts, community service, leadership and public speaking.
- The students’ attitudes and achievements in each group will be monitored and re-assessed at the end of each semester.
Outcomes
Platinum Class members:
- Will be highly motivated and productive to achieve high marks.
- Will complete their HSC with a highly developed study skills set.
What sort of student is suited to the program?
- The Platinum Class Program is designed to benefit those students who have shown academic aptitude in one or more specific areas of the curriculum.
- A Platinum Class member is not necessarily good at everything, but will show ability beyond that of most of his or her peers.
- A Platinum Class member will be encouraged to develop areas of specific interest and to pursue independent learning in these areas.
- A Platinum Class member displays skills in organisation, research and communication.
- A Platinum Class member enjoys the emphasis on creativity, critical thinking and higher order thinking skills.
- We all learn in different ways. Some of us may learn best through experimenting or doing. Others may prefer to read or follow instructions. Some of us have highly creative minds and others are more analytical.
Platinum Class members will be encouraged to recognise their preferred style and extend learning in other styles in preparation for tertiary studies. In the Platinum Class Program, students will be encouraged to optimise their preferred thinking and learning style, while developing others.
How are students selected?
Students will be asked to complete an application form and present a portfolio of recent work to support their application. In producing the portfolio, students should reflect on their achievements, and choose items, which illustrate their strengths and skills.
The portfolio might contain:
- Certificates and awards
- Examples of writing
- Recent test results
- Year 9 & Year 10 Reports
Expressions of Interest: After enrolment has been accepted, Expression of Interest for enrolment in Platinum Class will be sought from interested students