Opportunity Class

Bathurst West Public School offers the only Opportunity Class in the Bathurst region.

What are opportunity classes and selective high schools?

Opportunity classes, often called OC classes, are located in selected public primary schools and cater for high potential and intellectually gifted Year 5 and Year 6 students. Bathurst West Public School is the only school in Bathurst with an opportunity class.

Research demonstrates that grouping high potential and gifted students together has academic benefits and is also good for emotional wellbeing. The majority of students in opportunity classes report higher levels of satisfaction from learning with, and being friends with, like-minded students.

What does it look like to be a student in the Bathurst West Public School Opportunity Class?

Curriculum: Students progress through the Year 5 and 6 curriculum at an accelerated pace, enabling deeper and more advanced learning. At the start, comprehensive assessments identify individual strengths and gaps, ensuring tailored support. Emphasis is placed on developing independent learning skills like note-taking, referencing, and meeting assessment criteria to prepare students for high school.

Mindset: Our opportunity class focuses on effort and continuous improvement, encouraging students, particularly those who have found work easy before, to embrace challenges. Together, students and teachers build and maintain high expectations that inspire determination, curiosity, and ongoing growth.

Resources: The class is equipped with laptops, iPads, a 3D printer, and all necessary textbooks and workbooks, including materials for extension programs, enabling students to consistently produce high-quality work without extra cost.

Excursions and Extra-Curricula: The accelerated program also allows time for exploring additional topic-specific or extracurricular opportunities as they become available. Throughout the year, students participate in various enriching activities such as visits to Mt Panorama during race week, excursions to local galleries, collaborations with authors, artists, and tertiary education providers, and performing a dance at the Bathurst Eisteddfod.

The students also have access to the wide range of High Potential and Gifted Education programs that run at our school. Visit the HPGE page.

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.

Our program provides a stimulating learning environment where students can engage with advanced curriculum, develop critical thinking skills, and explore their passions alongside like-minded peers. We are committed to fostering a culture of excellence and creativity, ensuring every student reaches their full potential.

Applications are now open for the Opportunity Class — join us in cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators.

How to apply for entry into our opportunity class

Students must sit a placement test to be considered for a year 5 placement in an opportunity class. The placement test is a computer-based test, delivered at a central location with 3 sections (Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills).

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.

Download our enrolment form

If you don’t want to enrol online, you can download and fill out the enrolment form. Then hand it in at our school's front office.

Application to enrol in a NSW government school (PDF 696KB)

Visit us before you enrol

Starting a new school is a big step. We're here to help make the transition a smooth and positive experience for every student and their family.

We may offer a school tour, open day, information session or orientation program. These events help you and your child feel prepared for starting school.

Meet our friendly staff, explore our school facilities, and see what makes our school a great place to learn.

Contact us to find out what’s available and how we can support you before your child starts at our school.

Does your child need extra support?

Our learning and support team is here to help. Visit Additional learning support before you complete the enrolment form to learn how we can best support your child.

Learn more