Gifted and Talented Report
Welcome back to all MSCW families and a special welcome to Year 7!
It was wonderful to meet the Newman parents at the Parent Information Evening. I hope this has given you an insight into the Newman Program at MSCW.
I have spoken to many Newman students about their new class and the reshuffling from last year and it is heartening to hear that they have settled in well and have a friend or two. Whilst it might cause students a little apprehension initially, it is an essential social skill that we must encourage- meeting new people, and learning from new people is essential in life.
Our Marist Compass recognises that all students have gifts for life. Through the differentiated curriculum all students are challenged through academic rigour, critical and creative thinking across a variety of subjects. Differentiation is evident at the classroom level where appropriate challenges are available for all students. Curriculum is adapted in content, process and product to provide developmentally appropriate opportunities.
Their assessment tasks reflect the higher order thinking that students are demonstrating in class. I have spoken to both classes and am promoting the message of “progress over perfection.” I want our students to be excited by their learning and understand that their teachers want to see improvement and growth- not perfection- yes one day you might even fail.
Note the distinction between the terms giftedness and talent:
- Gifted students are those whose potential is distinctly above average in one or more of the following domains of human ability: intellectual, creative, social and physical to a degree that places an individual at least among the top 10% of age peers.
- Talented students are those whose skills are distinctly above average in one or more areas of human performance to a degree that places an individual at least among the top 10% of age peers who are or have been active in that field or fields.
(Adapted from Gagné, 2003)
“…Society gains from the advancement of all abilities and from the highest development of all its members, whatever their strengths. That which nurtures and actualizes each individual nourishes us as a society.”
(Clark, 1997)
Our Talented Performing Arts Students
Congratulations to the following students who are using their gifts for life: Adelaide, Seana, Madison, Charlotte and Rose. They have been selected after an extensive audition to work with NIDA in collaboration with SCS and perform an original show called Voices in Virtue. We can’t wait to see you all on stage in May!
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| Adelaide Kennedy | Seana Miao | Rose Barrish |
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| Madison Hanchard | Charlotte Vukiuki-Legge |
External Competitions
Please see the list below for students who would like to enter external competitions. There are a variety of categories and there are some amazing prizes on offer.
RAS AB Paterson Bush Poetry Award
Entry information – Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
https://www.cyaconference.com/entry/hatchlings
Mulga Bill Writing Award – Goldfields Library Corporation
Eastwood/Hills FAW Literary Competitions 2025
2025 Speech Competition | Robert Menzies Institute
Enter the Young Archie 2025 | Art Gallery of NSW
National Songwriting Competition 2024 – ACMF
Submissions – Head On Photo Festival
Mrs Colreavy’s Conundrum
45 girls are sitting in a row. If Radha is sitting in the 21st position from the left end, then what is her position from the right end?
(a) 20
(b) 23
(c) 25
(d) 31
Email: rachael.colreavy@syd.catholic.edu.au with your answer. Correct answers will win a prize.
Taken from: SSC CGL Prelims Reasoning Practice Test -1 – GeeksforGeeks
