St Therese’s Primary School is focused on providing engaging and challenging learning opportunities that meet the needs of High Potential and Gifted Learners.
Teachers closely analyse data and students’ academic performance to identify High Potential and Gifted Learners. All teaching and learning programs are differentiated, ensuring lessons are of high intellectual quality, embedding critical and creative thinking skills. The school’s Gifted Education Mentor (GEM) assists teachers with collating and analysing data, identifying the strengths and needs of students and providing appropriate strategies to support student learning.
Curriculum subjects where High Potential and Gifted Learners students are provided with opportunities include:
- Mathematics for Years 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 students. Targeted students participate in specialised lessons where curriculum content is compacted and extended to challenge students and deepen their understanding of Mathematics.
- Literacy- targeted students participate in Writer’s Workshops throughout the year in years 3-6. These include the creation of a Picture Book, the Aspire Script Writers Program and Author Visits.
- Debating and Public Speaking- selected students across each Stage participate in the Regional Public Speaking Competition. A group of selected year 5-6 students learn the craft of debating and participate in the Regional Debating Competition.
- STEM Activities- selected students can participate in STEM Competition Days organised by Gifted Education in our Diocese.
- Creative Arts- talented dancers can participate in the Dance Program with Miss Toscana. Our School Choir caters for students with a talent and expertise in singing and Music.
The Virtual Academy Program is designed for a select group of year 5 and 6 High Potential and Gifted Learners and is unique to Catholic Education in our Diocese. Students work through conceptual units of learning facilitated by Virtual Academy teachers with expertise in Gifted Education. These students are guided to use more complex Digital Technology applications, as they investigate real world issues aligning with their own interests. Throughout the year, Virtual Academy students have opportunities to collaborate with other Virtual Academy students across the Diocese. Students present their comprehensive research to an audience in both Semesters.