Dear Parents/Carers,

Gifted & Talented Students

We have recently received numerous requests for references for our students to sit selective school entry examinations.

In previous newsletters I have provided an outline of my concerns about selective schools. Put simply, I do not think they cater well to the majority of the students that attend them and I do not think they are good for our education system generally. They are elitist and they may create a ‘brain drain’ out of comprehensive schools.

Students who are high achievers in comprehensive school settings suddenly may have a crisis of confidence as they are mixed with other high achievers from other schools and not all can be at the top of the class. Many schools that are promoted as ‘selective’ are in fact semi-selective, segregating a single top performing academic class from a school of underachievers who consider the one academic class as outcasts.

A significant amount of research suggests that parents should reconsider the once popular view that selective schools are something to aspire to. They may start with top performing students but they do not necessarily end up this way. 

The leadership team at the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong, share my concerns and as such have instructed me not to support applications for selective school enrolment. I would ask that parents not approach St Francis staff with forms seeking admission into selective schools. I liken it to buying a new Hyundai car, having your car serviced regularly at the Hyundai dealership, not ever raising an issue and appearing to be happy and then approaching the Hyundai dealer asking them forward your service history so that you get your Hyundai serviced at Ford. It doesn’t make sense. It is not in the dealer’s interest, and he/she won’t agree that it is in your car’s interest. 

Instead I would prefer that you have a conversation with me and our staff about your high performing student. I welcome conversation about how we can better meet their needs and extend their learning. This year is the first year we have employed a teacher who is dedicated full-time to working with building the capacity of teachers to deliver personalised programs for high performing students. Miss Issa is testing high performing students with recommended assessments such as the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the General Ability Test (AGAT) as well as the Slosson Intellegence Test (SIT). These tests have been designed by universities and are well recognised tools to identify students who may be gifted and talented in a range of domains. 

A number of our teaching staff have also completed a mini-certificate of Gifted Education (mini-COGE) with the University of NSW. We have an ongoing commitment to work with the Uni of NSW to build the capacity of our staff. 

Once formally identified, personal plans are developed to extend or enrich each student’s learning. A range of programs are on offer to students at St Francis and we are expanding these programs rapidly. Some are working on accelerated Mathematics and writing  programs, others are involved in the Diocesan led Spliced program, some are accessing external competitions. Next term an entrepreneurial group will be established to work in partnership with Liverpool Council on a biodiversity program. Newly formed ‘clubs’ are now operating in the Creative & Performing Arts areas and opportunities for debating and public speaking will occur in Term 3. Consideration is currently being given to how ‘High Performance Classes’ in Years 7-10 will run in 2021 and to the staffing of these classes. 

Please rest assured that no matter where your child is academically, we are doing everything we can to accurately access their current learning needs, tracking their growth and progress and working to continually challenge them to improve and be life-long learners. 

Interschool & MISA Sport/Cultural Events

I am excited to announce that it is anticipated that MISA Sport of a Tuesday afternoon is set to return in Term 3 for Years 7-10. The MISA Debating Competition will also occur in Term 3 which is great news for our Year 7 and 8 Debating Teams.

Building Update

The scaffolding will be coming down on the Performance Centre next week. The focus this week has been erecting whiteboards, pinboards, doors and glazing.  I have attached a photo of the progress of the Hall, which is coming along nicely.

May God continue to bless you and your family.

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Principal