Learning Extension & Support

Learning Extension

The school aims to provide information, support and direction for academically gifted students and their parents.  Using the Gagné Model, the school seeks to translate giftedness into talent in a way that empowers students to achieve academically.

Members of staff with specialist postgraduate qualifications and experience assess, identify and group gifted students appropriately, monitor progress and support other teachers in their work.  In the Junior School, extension classes are offered in primary years, cluster groupings arranged for students in the earlier years of schooling, and highly gifted students are accelerated.  In Year 7, student selection involves parents, teachers and students and extension classes offer academic challenges designed to extend students.  In Years 8 to 10, gifted students are placed in advanced classes and exceptional students accelerated in English, Maths and Science.  In Years 9 and 10, gifted students develop individual research projects.  In Years 11 and 12, students are offered advanced levels of study through either the HSC program or the IB Diploma.

Learning Support

The aim of Learning Support 7-12 at St Paul’s is to help students with learning difficulty or functional disability access the regular curriculum.

Educating students with special needs takes a great deal of training, understanding, and care. Programs are conducted by the Head of Special Education, Mrs Howard, and further assistance is provided by specially appointed staff. Our Support Staff have undergone specific types of training and education including issues pertaining to physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities, the special academic and special needs of these students, and the laws governing the education of special needs students.

A wide range of support services exist to assist students with information, programs and processes.   Support programs ensure that every child with special educational needs reaches their full potential in school, enabling them to make a successful transition to adulthood and the world of further and higher education, training or work.