Tailored Teaching for Gifted Learners
We take an evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning, drawing on national and international research—including principles from the Gifted Education Research, Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC)—to ensure gifted and high-potential students are both challenged and supported.
Teaching is underpinned by purposeful differentiation. Teachers adapt content, process, and product to respond to student readiness, interests, and learning profiles. This ensures students experience the right level of challenge and opportunity for growth.
Curriculum Innovation
Our curriculum is designed to offer appropriate pace, depth, and rigour. This includes:
- Curriculum Telescoping: Students progress through content more rapidly when ready, allowing earlier access to advanced concepts and more time for deep learning.
- Curriculum Compacting: Previously mastered content is replaced with learning tasks that emphasise abstraction, conceptual depth, and big ideas.
- Acceleration: Where appropriate, students may access subject or whole-year acceleration. Decisions are made in consultation with families and based on academic readiness and student wellbeing.
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Extension and enrichment are offered through higher-order thinking, real-world applications, and a broad range of co-curricular activities.
Rich and Rigorous Learning
We embed enrichment and extension across all learning areas. Students explore interdisciplinary links, engage in higher-order thinking, and apply their knowledge to real-world problems. A wide range of clubs, competitions, excursions, and special programs allow students to extend their learning beyond the classroom.
For twice-exceptional students, individual needs are met through responsive differentiation and support—enabling students to thrive by building on strengths while addressing challenges.
Developing Independent Learners
We foster student voice and agency, supporting students to co-design learning goals, pursue areas of passion, and develop as independent, self-regulated learners. Our approach values metacognition, inquiry, and the development of transferable thinking skills across disciplines.
Values-Driven Culture
Our gifted education philosophy is anchored in our school values:
Courage, Curiosity, Compassion, Commitment, and Collaboration.
These values guide every aspect of learning and wellbeing, ensuring students grow not only as capable thinkers, but also as ethical contributors to the world around them.
Assessment and Reporting
Assessment and reporting at Perth Modern School are designed to reflect both academic excellence and the holistic development of each student.
We prioritise personal progress over competition, focusing on individual strengths and growth. Students receive feedback that is consistent, accurate, and meaningful highlighting not only achievement, but also attitude, behaviour, and effort in line with our school values.
In the senior years, formal examinations provide clear benchmarks of achievement. Across all years, we use assessment to build a growth mindset, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and strive for their personal best.