Students at St Charles’ Catholic Primary School Waverley have embraced ‘a novel idea.’
About one in six of the school’s students are part of three before-school enrichment groups for students identified as gifted in literacy.
During remote learning, they have morphed from morning meetings to weekly challenges that include logic puzzles and riddles.
Principal Paul Croker said the enrichment groups provide students with an additional learning opportunity without impacting their regular learning time.
“There is a genuine excitement during these morning groups, as the students are very keen to participate and to feel challenged,” Mr Croker said.
“Research tells us how important it is for gifted students to interact with other like minds.”
“The enrichment group is an opportunity for the students to collaborate, bounce ideas off one another and help support and extend each other’s thinking” – Paul Croker
Enrichment lessons
Years 1 and 2 students read Lev Grossman’s The Silver Arrow, a fantasy adventure about endangered animals who are returned to their habitats via a magical train.
Students in Years 3 and 4 tackled the big themes in J.K Rowling’s post-Harry Potter adventure story The Ickabog.
And Markus Zuzak’s historical fiction set in Nazi Germany, The Book Thief, allowed students in Years 5 and 6 to explore world history, politics and power.
“The major themes throughout are the value of literacy and the power of words” – Paul Croker
Their work included a project on the major themes in their book.
Other co-curricular enrichment opportunities at the school include coding, robotics, debating, chess, music tuition, a Maths Olympiad and creative writing and art competitions.
St Charles’ students share what they loved about the books and activities that were part of their literature enrichment group experience.
