A unique Sydney Catholic Schools support structure is in place to optimise learning for all students. High-quality inclusive education is provided for students with diverse learning profiles relating to: giftedness, speech, language, communication, vision, hearing, literacy acquisition and post-school pathways. Central office diverse learning teams work with our classroom teachers to enhance their capacity to maximise learning outcomes for students. Specialists in these teams collaborate widely to consolidate an inclusive approach to learning. Each school also has dedicated learning support staff.
Specialist Support Classes
Specialist Support Classes meet the faith, educational, social and wellbeing needs of students by providing a rigorous, yet highly supported educational program for students with intellectual disabilities and complex needs. Students’ educational needs are met through:
- Evidence-based strategies and targeted resourcing
- Individualised planning and goal setting
- Highly skilled and experienced teachers
- Engaging and holistic learning experiences
- Smaller class sizes and a high teacher to student ratio
- Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist within class supports
Every student is encouraged to excel in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning, where student voice and special interests are incorporated into the class program. Students enrolled in Specialist Support Classes will be important, valued members of the school community and will be included in every aspect of the life of the school. Students may also be eligible for the Assisted Supported Travel Program.
Both schools are accepting Expressions of Interest for families who are interested in applying for a position in one of the support classes. Please follow the links below to complete Expression of Interest forms.
- Good Shepherd Primary School, Hoxton Park
- Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook
- Expression of Interest for Future Primary Specialist Support Classes
- Expression of Interest for Future Secondary Specialist Support Classes
- St Therese Catholic Primary School, Lakemba
- Holy Spirit Catholic College, Lakemba
Empowering The Gifted Student
With 19 primary and secondary Catholic schools in the St George network of schools, Sydney Catholic Schools is dedicated to providing an unparalleled education for the gifted student.
The network advantage allows for collaboration across our schools, from primary to secondary. Our gifted education teachers network to upskill and share ideas and resources, ensuring students benefit from a wide variety of gifted education strategies and across-school opportunities.
Gifted students are identified at an early age and are nurtured throughout their learning experience, allowing for a seamless transition from primary to secondary school.
Newman Selective Gifted Education Program
Exclusive to Sydney Catholic Schools
The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program is our unique way of supporting gifted students. We focus on the whole child: their ability, creativity, character, and faith — not just their academic achievements.
The program offers:
- Challenging and personalised learning in the classroom
- A range of enrichment opportunities across all areas and subjects
- A strong focus on social and emotional growth, so students thrive in all areas of life
Our goal is to help every gifted student reach their full potential, no matter their background.
Why Newman is different
Unlike public selective schools, the Newman Program doesn’t just look at academic achievement.
We recognise that giftedness can show up in many ways — intellectual, creative, social, emotional, or physical.
How students are selected
We use a range of assessments, including teacher and parent nominations.
When Year 5 students are enrolling into a Newman secondary school, parents are invited to nominate their child for the school’s Newman Selective Gifted Education Program. Parents may supply evidence of their child’s giftedness and/or achievement for consideration. Nominated students are invited by the school to sit the HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) in March of Year 6. A range of data, including the HAST results, is used to select students for the Newman Program.
All gifted learners are supported including:
- Twice-exceptional students (gifted students who also have a learning or developmental disability)
- Students from diverse cultural and language backgrounds (EAL/D)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Students who may be underachieving
Opportunities for students
Newman students benefit from:
- Personalised learning pathways that extend and challenge them in their strengths
- Selective Newman classes so they can work with like-minded peers
- Specialist workshops, competitions, and projects that go beyond the standard curriculum.
Newman Selective at St Ursula’s
Our Newman Selective Gifted Education Program is named after John Henry Newman who was a theologian and scholar within the Catholic church during the 19th Century.
Entry into our Selective program is very competitive and is determined through a combination of the following:
- Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) conducted by ACER
- Allwell Testing which is an academic placement test
In both of these externally administered assessments, students are assessed in a series of tasks:
- Abstract Reasoning and Problem Solving
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Spelling.
As well as these assessments student may present
- Previous psychometric assessments
- Primary School performance including reports and teacher recommendations
as part of their application.
Our Newman classes are all staffed by teachers who have specific post graduate qualifications in Gifted Education. This ensures that each girl not only achieves her “potential” but that she surpasses it.
Using Robert Gagne’s Differentiated model of giftedness and talent theories, teachers craft learning opportunities for their classes. Some will be offered curriculum compaction, others acceleration, others passion projects, others extension. Each one is designed to foster natural curiosity and stretch each girl’s capacities.
Currently the school offers acceleration in Mathematics and Hospitality enabling successful students the opportunity to complete HSC units prior to their Year 12 studies.
