630 new selective places at high schools

25 September 2005

NSW Premier Nathan Rees today announced 630 new selective school places at 14 comprehensive high schools across the State, including NSW’s first virtual selective class.

Mr Rees said the selective places would be at schools from South Western Sydney to the north coast and a new state-of-the-art virtual selective class would be established in Western NSW.

“I’m committed to providing more opportunities for all students, whether they live in the city or the bush,” Mr Rees said.

“I am especially excited about the new virtual selective class in Western NSW, which will give 30 gifted and talented students in remote and rural areas the ability to be involved in a selective class, while remaining at their local school.

“We’re providing 630 new places for our gifted and talented students; delivering an election promise and bringing the total number of selective places in the State’s public schools to 4,152.”

Education Minister Verity Firth said the places were decided after extensive discussion with principals, staff, parents and the communities about the value of the additional places in particular schools and learning communities.

“Community consultation revealed strong support for this type of class, which will use state-of-the-art technologies to create a virtual classroom,” Ms Firth said.

“These students will benefit from access to a higher range of subject options and access to gifted and talented programs previously not available to those living in remote areas.

“NSW is a leader in supporting gifted and talented students by offering them a wide range of programs.

“These include opportunity classes in primary schools, fully and partially selective high schools, and gifted and talented programs in primary and comprehensive high schools.

“Estimates show that about 10 per cent of the public school population is involved in a gifted and talented program, with 46 selective high schools now operating throughout NSW.

“The new selective classes will be in place and ready for students beginning Year 7 students in 2010.”

From October 27, application packages for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2010 will be available for government primary school students from their schools and from the selective high schools and school education group offices on request.

The new places are at:

Region Approved Schools Places Western Sydney 60 BLACKTOWN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL 30 BLACKTOWN BOYS HIGH SCHOOL 30 South-western Sydney ELIZABETH MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL 60 BONNYRIGG HIGH SCHOOL 60 60 60 Illawarra & South East 30 Hunter/Central Coast 60 Riverina 30 North Coast GRAFTON HIGH SCHOOL 30 New England 30 30 30 Western NSW 1 virtual high school 30