Newman News 

What is the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program?

Since 2021, the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program has been offered at St Martha's. We received full accreditation in the program in 2024.

The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program is a whole-school approach, designed to support gifted and talented students in Catholic schools across Sydney. It provides a tailored educational experience that challenges and nurtures students' abilities while fostering their personal growth in a faith-based environment.

The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program aims to create a holistic and inclusive approach to gifted education, benefiting not only the students but also the broader school community.

What does Newman look like at St Martha's?

The program identifies gifted students through a combination of testing, teacher recommendations, and evidence of academic achievements. Students at our school benefit from differentiated learning experiences that include enrichment in all key learning areas. Learning programs within the classroom setting are designed to encourage critical thinking, independent learning, and collaboration with like-minded peers. 

At times, students may participate in group work, with opportunities to participate in learning experiences that extend on concepts learned in the classroom. These groups are flexible and responsive to students' learning goals. We also offer a variety of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities, including competitions and challenges across a variety of key learning areas.

Our teachers participate in specialised professional development to ensure they can effectively support gifted learners. Schools participating in the program undergo regular accreditation to maintain high standards and provide a stimulating environment for all students.

What do our students enjoy most about differentiated learning opportunities?

"I really enjoy being able to collaborate with other students and work on projects that are more complex than the usual curriculum." ~ Stage 3 student

"During class we are challenged so our teacher can see our limits and can test our limits. There are different levels of challenge for students who enjoy the subject and excel in it." ~ Stage 3 student

"I like to be challenged in Maths. We get to learn multiplication and I like working with people that have similar interests to me." ~ Year 3 student

"I like to learn about new and exciting things in Science. I know a lot about Science already, and my teacher gives me interesting projects to work on. I really like researching and gathering information." ~ Year 3 student

"In English, I like to read texts with difficult words because they are always more interesting to me." ~ Year 2 student 

"I like to try solving harder problems in Maths." ~ Year 1 student

If you have any questions about the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program at St Martha's, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs Zilich via the office.

Mrs Kate Zilich

Newman Facilitator