29 Mar 2023
Applications for Year 5 entry to the 2024 Opportunity Class open Thursday 30th March and close Monday 15th May.
The Bathurst West Opportunity Class is a well-resourced program, designed and delivered by expert teachers. It is the only Opportunity Class in the Bathurst and Orange regions.
We are known in the community as a warm, caring and inclusive school, where parents are welcomed and encouraged to be part of the learning journey.
What are opportunity classes?
Opportunity classes cater for high potential and intellectually gifted students.
They help students learn by:
· grouping them with other gifted students
· using specialised teaching methods so students can learn concepts in more detail and more quickly
· supporting their wellbeing needs.
Most students in opportunity classes enjoy learning more when their classmates have similar abilities and interests.
Note: Opportunity classes are unzoned so you can apply no matter where you live.
Where are they located?
There are 76 primary schools with opportunity classes in NSW each year.
· 45 schools are located in metropolitan Sydney
· 30 schools are located in rural or regional centres · a virtual class, Aurora College, for rural and remote students is available in 618 authorised host schools
Students successfully placed attend the opportunity class full time in Years 5 and 6 at the relevant public school.
In the majority of cases, students who have accepted a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with the opportunity class.
Should you apply?
If your child learns with greater ease and speed than their classmates, they may benefit from placement in an opportunity class.
High potential and gifted children need to be challenged so they remain engaged with their education. Discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together on Opportunity classes – Year 5
If you would like to discuss whether you think you should apply speak with your child’s teacher.
Equity provisions
The Equity Placement Model helps to make access to opportunity classes fairer for the following under-represented groups:
· Students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds
· Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
· Students from rural and remote locations
· Students with disability
The Equity Placement Model holds up to 20% of places at each school for students from these groups to help increase their participation.
These students may be considered for equity placement if their test performance is within 10% of general applicants’ first round offers for each school.
Learn more at Equity Placement Model.
Learn more about the placement process and the placement test at Opportunity classes – Year 5.
Ready to apply? Apply online at education.nsw.gov.au/oc
A guide to the Opportunity Class Process
Information for applicants brochure
Intention to apply form (this notifies your school, this is not an application)