Opportunity Class

Our school has an opportunity class. Opportunity classes are for high potential and gifted students in Year 5 and 6. Parents apply when students are at the end Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 for placement in Year 5.

It is a 2-year program (Year 5 to 6). Parents cannot apply for Year 6 placement only.

The opportunity class (OC) program at Jewells is for academically gifted students in Years 5 and 6. The class provides a forum in which students can learn to be creative and critical thinkers. In this environment, students are encouraged to develop positive interpersonal relationships and to cooperate and communicate their ideas effectively with others of similar ability.

The aim of the program is to maximise the educational outcomes for all students.

How to apply for entry into our opportunity class

Unlike NSW public schools, there are no intake areas for opportunity classes. Enrolment is by application only. You can apply to up to 4 schools.

Apply online

Steps:

1. Visit Selective high school and opportunity class placement
2. Register to start your application.
3. Verify your email address
4. Log in
5. Complete all sections of the application form
6. Submit the application form
7. Student sits the placement test
8. Family is advised of the outcome.

You must submit a separate application form for each school and list the schools in the same order of preference.

Late applications

The application period cannot be extended. Make sure you submit your application before the closing date. For more information, check key dates.

Placement Test

Students are required to complete an exam while in Year 4. The exam is usually held in July each year with the results sent to parents in late October/ early November.

The exam consists of an English component, mathematics and general ability components.

For information on the selection procedures and dates for this year's exam, contact the High Performing Students Unit.

• Facebook:  Opportunity Class Placement
• Website:  Selective high schools and opportunity classes
• Phone:  1300 880 367
• Email:  ssu@det.nsw.edu.au

How does the Opportunity Class work?

Students who gain a position in the opportunity class (OC) are offered the position for a two year period. i.e. They enrol in the class in Year 5 and continue with their OC studies in Year 6. Fifteen new students are accepted each year, with fifteen students continuing in Year 6 (for a total of 30 students in the class).

Stage curriculum requirements are covered before extending and enriching the students' learning with differentiated subject matter. This ensures that the ‘basics' in a child's learning are complete, while still providing opportunities to enrich the gifted child.

Students in the Jewells OC class do continue to be a part of the wider school community, being involved in Stage 3 sport, across grade dance classes and the annual Jewells Showcase, to name a few.

Since a common characteristic of gifted student is that they learn at a much faster rate than other students, work in the Jewells OC class is completed more quickly than in a regular classroom. This curriculum compacting allows for students to progress at a rate that suits their needs rather than work becoming repetitive and potentially boring.

To provide an effective curriculum for gifted and talented students, at Jewells, we firstly look at the common characteristics of gifted students and then determine the best strategies to cater for their needs.

To assist in children settling in to a new school, new class and a new way of learning, a Year 6 buddy is assigned to each newly enrolled Year 5 student. This buddy is a valuable friend to answer questions, explain procedures and alleviate or prevent possible uncertainties.

School programs that support the gifted

Jewells has a very strong commitment to gifted and talented children and provide many opportunities for students talented in all subject areas.

Academic – OC class and differentiated curriculum in mainstream classes, participation in the Newcastle Herald newspaper competition, regional public speaking competitions, state debating competitions, chess interschool competitions.

Sport – PSSA sporting opportunities, competitively successful gymnastics, trampolining and aerobics programs with specialist staff.

Creative and Practical Arts – a strong dance and drama programs with concert band, training band and music tuition on site, drumming group, and guitar tuition, with specialist teachers or tutors.

Does being in an OC class mean my child will be accepted into a selective high school?

No. There is a selective high exam similar to the OC exam which prospective students need to complete. This test contains a writing component as well as the English, maths and general ability component.

Although students still need to complete the exam for the selective high school, the OC class does provide students with the opportunity to develop higher order thinking skills and their problem solving ability which provides them with learning experiences that help to prepare them for completing the exam.

Why accept an Opportunity Class Placement

This is a very common question. "Why send my child to an OC class when my child's school have said that they have their own enrichment class/ A stream class?"

The simple answer is that an OC class draws from a large group of students, allowing for talented children to be brought together from many different schools. A local school enrichment class would find it difficult to have a full class of gifted students, so even though they are called enrichment classes, many of the students involved may not be gifted or talented.

When asking past students this question, they all agree that one of the best things about being in an OC class is that they get to work with other like-minded students. It is a joy to see the student who is obsessed with a particular subject, like Ancient Egypt or world history, meet someone the same age who is interested in the same, or a similar topic. Often the feeling of isolation that gifted children feel in a mainstream classroom is alleviated when they join an OC class as they finally have like-minded students to talk to. Socially, this often displaces feelings of being different or isolated.

The topics of work covered in an OC class are highly engaging as they allow for students to work at their own level, study topics that are interesting to them and complete tasks that are suited to their ability.

As the curriculum is compacted, students have the opportunity to accelerate their learning – completing Year 6, 7 and sometimes even Year 8 work while they are still in Year 5 and 6. There is also a strong focus on learning through problem solving.

Often there is a misconception that an OC class just provides more work. At Jewells OC, the work given to students is more challenging and complex, rather than just more work at the same level.

At Jewells OC, we focus on developing independent learning strategies, including students determining much of the direction of their own learning and being responsible for its completion. Time management is also focussed upon during the two year OC program. This develops important skills needed for high school.

Unlike structures that may operate in a mainstream classroom which must cater for a full range of ability levels and work speeds, where students have finished their work and are given ‘fast finishers' work, in the Jewells OC class as work is completed via contract, students are able to continue on with quality assignments rather than filling in valuable learning time with often repetitive work.

Curriculum and Educational Opportunities

The Hunter region has a very strong network of OC classes which regularly meet to provide opportunities for OC students. These gatherings allow students to interact socially with students who have similar interests and abilities as well as providing students the chance to compete in challenges and events against other OC classes.

OC schools in the Hunter gather twice a year for a Challenge Day of activities including building structures, maths relays, drama activities and trivia quizzes.

The big event in the Hunter OC calendar is Thinkfest – a competition involving building a structure, writing and performing a skit and a team trivia challenge. This event takes place in Term 4 and is a highlight of the OC year.

Students have opportunities throughout the year to be involved in competitions and challenges including ICAS competitions, the Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition, the internet based Murder Under the Microscope, and many more.

What do past and current students say?

"When I first got into OC, I was nervous - I didn’t know anyone and thought it might be too hard. But honestly, it turned out to be amazing. The work was challenging in a fun way, and I got to learn things we never did in regular class. But the best part? I made friends who were just like me curious, kind, and always up for a laugh. We helped each other, played games at lunch, and even worked on cool projects together. OC made school exciting again, and I’m really glad I took the chance and you definitely should too!"

- Addi Y5 OC student

"The Jewells Primary School Opportunity Class is an amazing place for students to release their creativity. The work in this class can get your brain going and we do so many super fun activities and projects! These activities include OCVC, the OC Challenge Day and much more! In our class, we have a nice open space with plenty of room for learning and brain breaks! Our teachers ensure learning that is just right for you, but you will also be put to the test with plenty of challenges as well. I have had a great time in this class, and I bet you will too!"

- Ivy Y5 OC student

"I would recommend the OC class to anyone who would like to invest in their learning because you get many wonderful experiences that in a normal class you wouldn't get. From excursions to masterclass it's a great way to continue your educational journey. Not only will you get to be with the same people for two years, but you will build great friendships on the way.  It's a great class with great people. It has an amazing learning space with great teachers. If you like education, I would recommend it to you. If your scared about having no friends, don’t worry. It's a very friendly space and you will find friends very quickly because we are all on the same page."

- David Y5 OC student

"At first, you might be really nervous but you get a buddy. Then you get used to the school knowing where to go, in the process you might get a friend or two. Around this time, you have your friend group circle. So there isn’t anything to worry about. Just follow your buddy and play with them. I really hesitated making new friends in the school, but it turns out, everyone is nice here. You also get a few new opportunities. Like bringing your own laptop. Also this school is really amazing. A beautiful landscape with real grass not fake grass, lots of trees and wonderful kids. The canteen also has good food!"

- Ehan Y5 OC student

"When I first came into the OC, I was more nervous than ever. Was I going to make any friends? Would the work be too hard? When I started, I realised there was nothing to worry about. All the classmates were friendly and welcoming and made me feel at home straight away. The work is not too hard, but there is always a time where we get to challenge ourselves. In the OC, we get so many different opportunities such as OCVC (A friendly competition with other opportunity classes) and OC challenge days (where we get to do many different activities and challenges with the other OC’s.)  Looking back, I am really glad I joined the OC, I've made loads of new friends, learned so many new things and I am super excited to see what's next!"

- Current OC student

"I believe that for children who are academically gifted, the OC class is the best place to go. When I was in year 4, the work I did was far too easy for me. I was constantly waiting around as I was always the first one finished. Now, I have 29 other students who are similar to me and the work suits us all."

- Past OC student

"It is good to be in an OC class because you have a lot of advantages both inside and outside the classroom. Children have the benefit of harder work. The work is not too hard, but at a level where you won't get bored. We have a really good teacher, who is really nice. In an OC class you make lots of new friends like yourself."

- Past OC student

"Being in this class is a great experience and is always a heap of fun. Not only is it a great way to learn and succeed at school, but you make friends from all over the place and enjoy yourself every day. We have lots of fun units like Earn and Learn where we create a community in the classroom, and Thinkfest where you compete against other OC classes from around the Hunter. Children are encouraged to succeed and have more interesting work to do, whereas in a mainstream class children get bored with the work being done. OC is a great opportunity and a great way to be encouraged to do well at school."

- Past OC student

"The OC class is a great opportunity for gifted students. We participate in lots of activities with the other OC classes and enjoy fun units that normal classes don't get to do. Together, we have lots of fun and understand each other. I have made great friends."

- Past OC student