Learning

Reflective of our collaborative school community culture, every member of our community plays an essential role in supporting our High Potential and Gifted students.

We are therefore committed to the following:

School Leaders will:

develop and communicate a shared vision statement that recognises the diverse needs of high potential and gifted learners
actively advocate for gifted education in school planning, budgets, and community engagement
establish policies that promote equity and inclusivity, ensuring all students have access regardless of background, language, or socioeconomic status
foster a positive school climate where differentiation and extension are expected practices

Parents and Caregivers will:

provide information, using parent questionnaires/checklists, about the abilities and characteristics of their child to the school
support enrichment programs provided for their children
provide feedback to the classroom teacher about their child’s experience with the extension, enrichment and differentiation strategies put in place within their PLSP

The School will:

provide ongoing and relevant professional development in strategies for high potential and gifted teaching and learning whilst support teaching and learning activities through a range of resources and opportunities
develop positive attitudes towards the needs of high potential and gifted students
work collaboratively with the community to review the school policy for high potential and gifted education within 4 years
ensure students requiring intensive curriculum adjustments have meaningful goals and a personalised learning plan

Teachers and the Learning and Support Team will:

recognise and identify individual student needs through the use of a variety of assessment strategies
select and implement a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of high potential and gifted students
provide appropriate enrichment and extension opportunities
nominate students considered high potential and gifted for further assessment
provide ongoing and relevant professional development in strategies for high potential and gifted teaching and learning
develop personalised learning plans for students requiring intensive curriculum adjustments

The School Counsellor will, in consultation with the Learning Support Team:

conduct psychometric assessments when required
provide counselling support at the request of students, parents or teachers
advocate for students and support staff professional learning

Students will:

specifically designed to cater for their individual needs
be involved in the development of their learning plan where appropriate

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Why choose us for your child’s learning?

Strong foundations

We focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in school and beyond. This helps them feel confident and prepared for the future.

High-quality education

We offer a range of subjects to match what students enjoy and want to learn about. Our skilled teachers support every student to find what they love, do their best and succeed.

Inclusive and personalised learning

Our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs, interests and learning pace. We make sure every student feels confident and supported.

Extension opportunities

Some students are ready for more challenges. We offer open-ended tasks, enrichment programs and support. We help all students to reach their full potential.

What students learn

Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.

Our subjects

Explore how we teach the NSW curriculum through key learning areas.

Religion and ethics

SRE/SEE

At Vardys Road Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Thursdays, from 9:15am -9:45am for Years 3-6 students and 10:00am - 10:30am for K-2 students.

On enrolment parents/carers will be given the choice to selection which SRE and SEE their will participation in.

After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE/SEE should be submitted via the School Bytes parent portal. Please refer to Change of Special Religious Education (SRE) or Special Education in Ethics (SEE) Class

The following SRE/SEE classes are currently offered at Vardys Road Public School:

Catholic is provided by Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
Combined Christian is provided by Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Hindu is provided by JET Australia Foundation
Special Education in Ethics is provided by Primary Ethics.

During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities.

For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.

High potential and gifted education

At our school, we give the right support to help advanced or talented learners grow and do their best.

We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.

Our learning approach

Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.

Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.

Our learning approach includes:

real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
community connections: through excursions and local programs.

Helping students progress

We support every student’s academic progress by:

checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
setting learning goals with each student
giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing

providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
making wellbeing part of everyday learning
working with families to support learning at home and school
helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.

Learn more about additional learning support at our school.

Want to know more about our subjects?

We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.

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Student opportunities and activities

Programs that are periodically re-introduced when appropriate

· Robotics Club

· GAT Writers Workshop and mentoring

· GAT Art Group

· GAT Maths Group

· Buddy classes

· Acceleration

· Run Club

· Debating

· Boys Dance Group

· Maths Olympiad

· Tournament of the Minds

· Blacktown Learning Community STEAM Expo

· Ukulele Group

· Recorder Group

· Operation Art

Handball Competition

Our principal and staff

Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.