Western NSW Virtual Selective Class Provision
The model for selective high school provision in Western NSW connects students from across the region into a selective strand, covering English, Mathematics and Science using a suite of sophisticated technology as well as face-to-face teaching.
Students will take part in the virtual selective class provision while enrolled in their local government high school; meaning that they can access a more challenging academic program without leaving home and friends to do so.
Western NSW Region schools have for many years successfully used innovative technology to connect students and teachers in different locations. The selective class provision builds upon and extends this experience into an exciting new opportunity for students.
Technological advances including very high speed internet access, quality video-conferencing equipment with excellent audio and classrooms specifically designed to make full use of digital technology, now mean students can fully participate in classes delivered by expert teachers from another location. Strategies such as peer-to-peer networking; blogs; wikis; podcasts and vodcasts will be adapted into the learning environment.
To be eligible for the program students must complete the selective high schools application form plus the Virtual selective class: Report of academic merit and sit the Selective High School Placement Test in March 2010.
Up to 30 students will be offered a place in the virtual selective class provision. These students will need to enrol in a government high school in the Western NSW Region for 2011.
Applications forms and more information are available from your current government primary school, school education group offices and all selective high schools.
Who can apply?
Any student currently in Year 5 intending to attend a government high school in Western NSW Region can apply for a placement. Western NSW Region includes the regional centres of Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Bourke and Broken Hill and the surrounding districts. Many rural districts including Oberon, Cowra, Grenfell, Blayney, Mudgee, Coonabarabran, Kandos, Forbes, Parkes, Narromine, Warren, Nyngan, Cobar, Ivanhoe, Wentworth and Coomealla also form part of the Western NSW Region.
Click here for a full list of Western NSW Region schools: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator/
Do I have to sit the Selective High School Placement Test?
Yes. All applicants will need to sit the Selective High School Placement Test on 18 March 2010.
What score do I need to get in the Selective High School Placement Test?
No minimum score has been set to be successful in gaining selection. Test and school assessment scores will be taken into consideration when assessing applications. The entry score for successful students will change from year to year.
What other criteria will be used to assess applicants?
Applicants will be assessed on their potential to succeed using a virtual interface. They will need to demonstrate self motivation and efficient time management.
Principal and parent referrals and other determiners of potential for success in a virtual mode will also be used. Principals are required to complete the Virtual selective class: report of academic merit. This report will be considered by the selection committee.
Identified places will be available for gifted Aboriginal students who may be selected using additional criteria.
How will classes be taught?
Classes will be taught in a variety of modes. Some classes will be delivered to all students by a teacher using video-conference facilities and other technologies that enable a teacher to conduct a lesson to the whole class simultaneously.
The same technology will be used to conduct small group projects with the support of the class teacher or between the students themselves.
To see how this technology can work in practice view the Connected Classes trial video produced by the Centre for Learning Innovation: http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/cli/focus/technology/vc.shtm.
The virtual class provision will be complemented with regular academic residential schools.
These residential schools will allow for practical experiments, group work problem-solving activities and seminars to ensure maximum benefit is gained from the face-to-face teaching.
Who will teach the classes?
Teachers in each subject area will be among Western NSW Region's leading teachers with specific subject expertise and experience in the innovative use of technology.
What is the name of the provision?
xsel is the name of Western NSW Region's virtual selective class provision.
Are there additional costs?
Every attempt will be made to minimise costs to student families.
However, there will be costs associated with attending the mandatory academic residential schools. We will be seeking opportunities for scholarships and sponsorship to defray personal costs.
How many places will be offered?
In the second year of operation (2011) up to 30 new places will be offered.
The number of students provided for is expected to grow over six years with increasing numbers of Year 7 students and the progression of students through to Year 12.
Do I have to have Internet access or special equipment at home?
No, although access to the Internet would assist the student in their home study. Students who are selected for the Western NSW virtual selective class provision will require a space at home to work and complete individual projects.
All students will be provided with a laptop computer and broadband access for keeping in touch with teachers and classmates via email and other Internet based technologies.
What subjects will be taught through the selective class provision?
The selective strand is English, Mathematics and Science.
Can I elect to do only one selective subject?
Students will be accepted only in the full selective strand. At this stage, students cannot elect to complete only one or two of the selective strand subjects.
How will subjects other than Mathematics, English and Science be taught?
Each student must enrol in a government high school within Western NSW Region, their 'home' school. The home school will be responsible for all other subjects that are part of the curriculum. Students are expected to comply with all requirements and policies of their home school.
What happens when I finish Year 7?
On successful completion of Year 7 requirements students will continue with the selective strands of English, Mathematics and Science through to Year 8 and beyond.
What are the benefits of enrolling in this selective class provision?
xsel provides students with a challenging and academically engaging curriculum in Mathematics, English and Science, encouraging them to reach their potential in a supportive environment of like-minded peers.
As well, students will develop and maintain relationships with students in their home school, as they participate in their other subjects and school activities.
xsel uses multimedia delivery modes to provide opportunities for both interactive and individual activities; while the residential schools will allow development of closer relationships between the teachers and students, and the students themselves. xsel emphasises the acquisition of deep knowledge and understanding of all facets of English, Mathematics and Science within a framework that is relevant to a 21st century education.
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