3.10.8 Re-establishing Perth Modern School as Western Australia's only fully selective school for academically gifted students
Perth Modern is WA's only fully selective academic school. Students come from across the state and more than 120 primary schools. The first cohort commenced in 2007 and graduated in 2012 as the school transitioned from comprehensive to selective. By considering the needs of the gifted, students can achieve within a supportive environment.
Students report Perth Modern provides opportunities to meet like-minded peers, curriculum challenge, and opportunities beyond the classroom. The school is regularly the top school for median ATAR and students earn more awards than any other school. This presentation will focus on strategies and processes that led to this outstanding success.
Author(s):
Lois Joll
Lois.joll@education.wa.edu.au
Department of education WA
Australia
Lois Joll is an educator with experience in senior roles in the public and private systems. At Methodist Ladies’ College, she guided students to achieve outstanding examination results. Later roles included Moderator for the Arts at the Curriculum Council and Director of Secondary Education in the Department of Education, with oversight of gifted education. In that role she proposed and led the repurposing of Perth Modern School from a comprehensive to a selective academic school. As Principal of Perth Modern for six years, Lois has ensured appropriate curriculum, co-curricula opportunities and skilled staff are in place to support student success.
Val Furphy
Val.furphy@education.wa.edu.au
Department of Education WA
Australia
Val Furphy has been Vice Principal of Perth Modern School for the past 10 years. In that time she has operationalised the vision for repurposing Perth Modern to a fully selective academic school. This role has involved developing a whole school vision and approach to the curriculum and its delivery, selecting staff, ensuring appropriate professional development and ensuring parents understand the vision of the school. In 2014, Val was a recipient of a Churchill Fellowship to study approaches to gifted education in various countries to meet the academic and social and emotional needs of gifted students.