High School Education in Perth

[proudmum]

I have just learned that the Department of Education in Western Australia has a very good education for gifted and talented high school students. Perth Modern School is a fully selective academic school with a brilliant music program and there are also schools like Shenton, Rossmoyne, Churchlands, Willetton - all are top performing in the state education tables and all do as well as if not better than most private schools. Why pay $20 000 when a few hundred dollars get you something as good.

To get in the the Year 8 2009 Gifted program you actullay have to apply by Feb 22 2008 - otherwise it is really hard and a lot of paperwork. The best thing is that the Education Department will pay to test your child anywhere in the world - as long as you show that you will be in WA for the start of the 2009 school year. If your child is entering Year 9, 10 or 11 I noticed that you could register for testing for these years in June 2008.

Their website is Gifted and Talented - I have already filled out my online application and registered my older son. Thought I should pass on this news as the window is really short (I think they get thousands of applications) for about a 1000 places in the program - which includes academic schools, music schools, drama schools etc.

[ali]

I wouldn't worry if you miss the deadline, we arrived last January and didn't know about the gifted and talented programme and therefore didn't apply. However, my daughter has just completed year 7 at Primary School and her teachers recommended her to the high school she is going to as a gifted and talented student, and as a result the high school contacted the principle of her school, who in turn contacted me and she was offerred the opportunity to sit the exam in December this year for the Academic Extension Programme. She really wasn't aware that she was also being interviewed and thought the head of the programme was just chatting to her. The exam lasted about 2 and a half hours and she was accepted and also offered a place in the science academy. If you miss the deadline - you can always ask at the school your child will be enrolled in and I'm sure they'll try to offer your child an opportunity.

Ali

[Proudloves]

We have just had our son tested for Perth Modern School. Amazing to find that over 1000 students applied to enter the gifted program but only 175 are accepted.

Spoke to the selection officer at the Education Department this week who advised that our son will highly likely be offered a place at this school. We visited during open week and were impressed. Have him down at a few private schools but Modern is the better option for him with the academic and music program being so strong. Our daughter applies next year and we can only hope that she will get in too as this would make life so much easier.

The Gifted program run by the Education Department is worth considering.

[janinecooksey]

Hi.

I have sat my twin boys for Perth Modern this year, but only one of them went through the P.E.A.C program, the other only just missed out on the extra schooling. They told me to sit both for the entrance tests though.

When I contacted G.A.T.E. for an update they told me they were not informing anyone of the outcomes of the entrance exams until 30th May 08. Would love to know, the suspense is killing me.

Jan