Years 5 and 6 Opportunity Classes
We believe in providing gifted children with opportunities to learn with like-minded ability peers to provide them with challenges to reach their full potential. Emanuel School's Opportunity Classes (OC) for gifted learners in Years 5 and 6 offer an exceptionally dynamic teaching and learning environment, tailor-made to suit gifted learners.
At Emanuel School, the Opportunity Classes (OC) are structured to maximise learning for all students. The OC group works together for English, Science, Global Studies (HSIE) and Personal Development. Where possible, the topics are similar to those of the other classes within the grade. The OC group covers topics with increased depth, complexity and challenge. Sometimes the OC groups work on different topics to the core classes.At Emanuel, Mathematics and Hebrew are both 'streamed' across the grade. In this way, students who are talented in Hebrew or Mathematics may join the extension class without needing to fulfil all the criteria for inclusion in the OC program. Similarly, new students, who may not have had exposure to Hebrew, may be included in the beginners' program.
We also value the need for all students to mix widely across the grade and for friendships to be maintained and built across the classes. For this reason, students are regrouped into mixed ability classes for Art, Drama and Physical Education.
The process for inclusion in the OC program begins in Year 4. Students apply for the OC class and are assessed on general ability, English and Mathematics skills. Students, who are successful at this stage, are invited for an interview, before final places are offered. Assessments, additional information and evidence gathered externally can be submitted for consideration.
At Emanuel School, all OC students receive a scholarship worth 25 percent of tuition fees in Years 7-10, renewable, depending on performance, in Years 11 and 12. All Year 6 students, including OC students, are also eligible to apply for a Year 7 Academic Scholarship.
