A unique Sydney Catholic Schools support structure is in place to optimise learning for all students. High-quality inclusive education is provided for students with diverse learning profiles relating to: giftedness, speech, language, communication, vision, hearing, literacy acquisition and post-school pathways. Central office diverse learning teams work with our classroom teachers to enhance their capacity to maximise learning outcomes for students. Specialists in these teams collaborate widely to consolidate an inclusive approach to learning. Each school also has dedicated learning support staff.

Specialist Support Classes

Specialist Support Classes meet the faith, educational, social and wellbeing needs of students by providing a rigorous, yet highly supported educational program for students with intellectual disabilities and complex needs. Students’ educational needs are met through:

  • Evidence-based strategies and targeted resourcing
  • Individualised planning and goal setting
  • Highly skilled and experienced teachers
  • Engaging and holistic learning experiences
  • Smaller class sizes and a high teacher to student ratio
  • Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist within class supports

Every student is encouraged to excel in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning, where student voice and special interests are incorporated into the class program. Students enrolled in Specialist Support Classes will be important, valued members of the school community and will be included in every aspect of the life of the school. Students may also be eligible for the Assisted Supported Travel Program.

Both schools are accepting Expressions of Interest for families who are interested in applying for a position in one of the support classes. Please follow the links below to complete Expression of Interest forms.

Newman Selective Gifted Education Program

Exclusive to Sydney Catholic Schools

The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program is our unique way of supporting gifted students. We focus on the whole child: their ability, creativity, character, and faith — not just their academic achievements.

The program offers:

  • Challenging and personalised learning in the classroom
  • A range of enrichment opportunities across all areas and subjects
  • A strong focus on social and emotional growth, so students thrive in all areas of life

Our goal is to help every gifted student reach their full potential, no matter their background.

Why Newman is different

Unlike Opportunity Classes, the Newman Program doesn’t just look at academic achievement.

We recognise that giftedness can show up in many ways — intellectual, creative, social, emotional, or physical.

How students are selected

We use a range of assessments, including ability and achievement tests, as well as teacher and parent input. All gifted learners are supported including:

  • Twice-exceptional students (gifted students who also have a learning or developmental disability)
  • Students from diverse cultural and language backgrounds (EAL/D)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • Students who may be underachieving

Opportunities for students

Newman students benefit from:

  • Personalised learning pathways that extend and challenge them in their strengths
  • Flexible grouping so they can work with like-minded peers
  • Specialist workshops, competitions, and projects that go beyond the standard curriculum

Specific Learning Support

Through expert support and resources from Sydney Catholic Schools, we collaborate and deliver personalised plans for students who have cognitive or developmental disorders, sensory disability, autism, physical disability, and speech, language and communication disorders. These plans focus on specific educational goals and adjustments related to areas such as curriculum, communication and social skills.

Reading Recovery is a short-term preventative early literacy intervention that provides extra help to Year 1 students who are identified as the lowest achievers in literacy. It helps students catch up to the average reading and writing level of their class and become independent readers and writers. Reading Recovery is delivered by a specially trained teacher.

Students learning English for the first time are supported by dedicated staff within our school, with programs for new arrivals.

We are committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families to ensure students obtain a high-quality education as a platform for achieving their full potential.