SPS Parent Handbook
This is the information handbook for parents and carers with students enrolled at Sutherland Public School.
Opportunity Classes
Opportunity classes (OC) cater for high potential and intellectually gifted students in Years 5 and 6. There are 75 primary schools with opportunity classes across NSW. These schools can provide intellectual stimulation by grouping together gifted and talented students who may otherwise be isolated from a suitable peer group.
Gifted and talented students who would benefit most from enrolment in opportunity classes are those who have superior to very superior academic ability which is matched by exceptionally high classroom performance.
Successful students attend the opportunity class full-time for the duration of Years 5 and 6 at the primary school with an opportunity class. It is a two-year placement program.
Application is usually made when the student is in Year 4. The application process becomes available at the end of April each year.
Sutherland Public School has proudly operated Opportunity Classes since 1963. The program at our school has been carefully developed by dedicated staff to provide a stimulating curriculum which emphasises academic rigour, while nurturing the gifted child's overall social and emotional development. Our students discover the advantages of being self-motivated and develop their abilities and creativity in a wide range of areas.
What are the benefits?
Opportunity classes help students learn by:
Most students in opportunity classes enjoy learning more when their classmates have similar abilities and interests.
How is the learning different in an opportunity class?
Because all students in an OC class have high potential or are gifted, teachers can set more challenging and complex tasks to ensure that they are engaged and excited by their learning. There is also often a strong focus on problem solving and independent thinking.
Teachers also help students to develop independent learning strategies and time management skills. For example, students might set the direction of their own learning and be responsible for its completion. They can learn important skills needed for high school and beyond.
In some OC classes students may have the curriculum accelerated as they complete Year 6, 7, and sometimes even Year 8 work while they are still in Year 5 or 6.
What do students say about attending an opportunity class?
Students tell us that they love learning with other students who are like them—students who enjoy asking questions, delving into topics, and being challenged academically.
Before entering an OC class, some students feel like they are different from their classmates which can lead to feelings of isolation. Students often feel a greater sense of social ease and belonging when they learn and become friends with others who have similar abilities and interests in an OC class.
Is an opportunity class the right fit for my child?
First, discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together here on our website.
Your child may have high academic potential if they demonstrate some of the following:
Note: Not all high potential and gifted learners will display all of these characteristics, for example, due to lack of opportunity, disability or disadvantage.
Learn more about the department’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy.
Learning in the OC at Sutherland Public School
The happy integration of all students is our priority.
In the early days, getting to know you activities are planned, to encourage the development of friendships and to help everyone feel at home and welcome at their new school.
The OC program encourages students to develop their organisational and independent learning skills. Work-rate and task commitment are a premium also. Time management in completion of tasks and assignments is a feature to prepare our students for ongoing studies.
Students are encouraged to take a leadership role through classroom group activities, being Peer Tutors of younger pupils and by acting as Peer Support Leaders.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities for participation in activities such as drama, dance, public speaking, debating, sport, visual arts, chess, band, technology, coding, and the environmental club.
The school Stage 2 and 3 Bring your own device (BYOD) laptop program ensures students have independent access to learning that links home and school. Student skills increase quickly to ensure smooth transition to secondary school.
The two-year OC program incorporates a wide variety of excursions, incursions and special programs linked to the curriculum and advanced units of work.
While the OC program encourages students to compete against themselves in the pursuit of personal goals, they are also given the opportunity to pit their skills and talents against others in a range of challenging competitions. These may include:
Applying for OC
Each year parents are invited to apply online for Year 4 students to obtain a place in a Year 5 OC class. This application and selection process is managed through the High Performing Students team, not our school.
Interested families should seek further information at Opportunity Class placement test (nsw.gov.au)
Parents and Carers of students who have applied for students to join the Opportunity Class in 2024 will soon find information here to support your decision.
Offers for student placement will be sent from The High Performing Students Team from October 20, 2024.
Here is a list of the information you may require prior to accepting an offer. We look forward to welcoming our new OC students soon!
Next steps:
Once you have accepted an offer, you now need to prepare to enrol at Sutherland Public School.
Next steps:
Here are the steps to complete this:
Once online enrolment has been completed parent will be sent information regarding the following:
Before and After School Care – those requiring BASC should contact Sutherland Activity Centre at sutherlandactivitycentre@gmail.com to begin this process as a matter of urgency. A video about this service can be found at https://youtu.be/NAIYziZd2SQ
Complete Opal applications for travel if required. Please read the Travel to School information leaflet for our families and students. Visit https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/child-student-concessions/primary-secondary-school
Starting information for 2024
Thursday 1st February – first day of school for students in Years 1 - 6
This is the information handbook for parents and carers with students enrolled at Sutherland Public School.
This flyer will give you further information regarding our OC program.
This is the information for families regarding the Bring your own device requirements for Sutherland Public School OC program. This is a laptop device requirement, please see the document attached.
Sutherland Parents and Citizens association run a uniform shop for our parents. This is a voluntary service run by parents for parents.
Currently all uniform orders must be done online:
https://sutherlandpsuniformshop.square.site/
Payments must be completed online prior to the order being filled. Orders will be sent home with your child when filled, please allow 10-14 days.
Incoming students will be sent a message to collect orders when they have been filled.
Only items with tags and original packaging will be exchanged or refunded.
Some items can be purchased directly from Claudines at Caringbah. https://www.claudineschoolwear.com.au/
Sutherland Activity Centre Before and After School Care
Please contact Sutherland Activity Centre if you require before or after school care. sutherlandactivitycentre@gmail.com
Please take a look at the parent information video.
Further support materials for families in preparation for starting school at Sutherland Public.
School readiness video: https://youtu.be/QRbN9BI_UoY
Preparing for school next year video: https://youtu.be/96Rq0ZcHvW0
Students talking about starting school: https://youtu.be/bEvSLq56Mx0
Parent information video from 2021 (much is still relevant): https://youtu.be/Qg0kSN-JfBg
address
38-54 Eton Street
Sutherland NSW 2232
telephone 02 9521 2478
We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past and present.
Copyright for this website is owned by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Education. For more information go to https://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright.