Applying for placement in an opportunity class – a webinar for parents of Year 4 students

This webinar will cover the steps involved in applying for placement in an opportunity class for Year 5 entry in 2025.

It will cover:

• what are opportunity classes
• who are opportunity classes aimed at
• the benefits of opportunity classes
• the placement process
• the Equity Placement Model
• Aurora College: for students in rural and remote areas
• submitting the online application
• reasonable adjustments for disability
• preparing for the test
• outcomes
• the appeals process.

Participants may submit questions in advance.

• Magda Pollak PSM, Leader, Selective Education Unit
• Garth Bolwell, Relieving Manager, Selective High School Placement
• Skye Bower, Senior Disability Placement Officer
• Morag Swankie, Opportunity Class Placement Advisor, Selective Education Unit

To register, please click on the button below.  Participants are also encouraged to submit questions to the panelists on the webinar registration page.

Magda Pollak PSM
Leader, Selective Education Unit, NSW Department of Education, Selective Education Unit

Magda Pollak has led the Selective Education Unit since 2005. She has spent almost 20 years as a high school English teacher and has two publications for English teaching staff to her name. She has always had a special interest in the education of high-potential and gifted students. She is particularly passionate about providing a suitable peer group and teaching environment for such students who might otherwise find themselves isolated in mainstream classes and become disengaged. She is also committed to ensuring equal opportunity of access for disadvantaged groups and has received a Public Service Medal in recognition of her services to public education.

Garth Bolwell
Relieving Manager, Selective High School Placement

Garth Bolwell has worked in NSW public education for almost 2 decades. He has been a primary school Opportunity Class teacher, assistant principal and principal. For the past 6 years Garth has worked within the department on online assessment, teacher professional development, policy development and implementation and is now relieving as the Opportunity Class Placement Manager. He is a passionate advocate for high-potential and gifted learners and has worked extensively to support equitable participation in selective education for students from underrepresented groups.

Skye Bower
Senior Disability Placement Officer

Skye Bower is a Senior Disability Placement Officer for the Selective Education Unit and is responsible for arranging reasonable adjustments for students with disability sitting the Selective High School Placement Test. Prior to joining the Unit, Skye worked as a primary school teacher, enrichment teacher and learning and support teacher for over 10 years.

Skye is a passionate advocate for students with disability and is committed to ensuring equitable access for all students applying for placement in a selective high school. Skye has a BA Dip Education with first class Honours and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Difficulties Support Teaching.

Morag Swankie
Opportunity Class Placement Advisor, Selective Education Unit

Morag Swankie is an Opportunity Class Placement Advisor for the Selective Education Unit. She has worked in public education for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the Unit, Morag was an Assistant Principal in a primary school and the coordinator for opportunity class and selective high school applications.

Morag is a passionate advocate for the provision of opportunities for high potential and gifted students for all students K-6.