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Opportunity class

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Opportunity Classes (OC classes) in New South Wales, Australia are government primary school classes operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities for gifted and talented children. It functions for students grade 5-6, and is entered by a test done in grade 4. It is similar to Selective streams and schools[1]

History

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Opportunity classes have a long history in NSW, with the first ones established in 1932.[2] The impact of attending Opportunity classes varies with individual students, with some reporting negative experiences, while others report a strong sense of community and wellbeing.

Opportunity classes have been regarded by some parents as feeder schools for selective schools;[3][4] however, not all students in opportunity classes successfully gain admission to selective schools.[4] Not all Opportunity Class (OC) students apply to attend a selective high school, as in some areas attending a selective high school means either long daily commutes or living away from home. The reality is that entry to both OC and Selective High School classes is via standardized testing that focuses on ability in mathematics, english and general ability (basically an IQ-style test), and that there are fewer places available for entry to OC (~1800) than to Selective High School (4214 places in 2015[5]), so in theory it is 'harder' to gain entry into OC than Selective High School and a large percentage of students attending OC classes gain entry to Selective High School, or gain a scholarship to a private high school.[6]

Admission

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Parents of prospective applicants for opportunity classes complete an "Intention to Apply" form provided by the school, then complete an online application.[7] Prospective applicants undertake an aptitude test, consisting of mathematics and English literacy components,[8][9] the marks for which are sent with assessment scores based on the student's performance in Years 3 and 4 by the applicant's school principal.[7][10]

List of schools with opportunity classes

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The following schools offer admission to opportunity classes in Year 5 & 6.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Primary schools with opportunity classes". Department of Education and Communities.
  2. ^ New South Wales Teachers Federation Report
  3. ^ O'Rourke, Jim; Fraser, Paul (30 January 2011). "Early opportunities leave many behind". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ a b McNeilage, Amy (21 July 2013). "OC classes no guarantee of place at selectives". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. ^ Selective HS Statistics and Reports
  6. ^ "Opportunity Class Preparation (OC)". www.arrendell.com.au.
  7. ^ a b "Opportunity Class Application". Department of Education and Communities.
  8. ^ Patty, Anna (28 July 2006). "Gifted children compete for school places". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  9. ^ "Opportunity Class Placement Tests: Past Papers". Department of Education and Communities.
  10. ^ "Opportunity Class Placement". Department of Education and Communities.
  11. ^ "Schools with Year 5 Opportunity Classes in 2014". Department of Education and Communities. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
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