Download the Perth Modern School Prospectus (PDF 0.88 MB)

Western Australia’s Only Fully Selective Academic School

Savoir c’est PouvoirKnowledge is Power2 Perth Modern School > ProspectusNew students to Perth Modern School will entera culture of achievement unmatched in WesternAustralia. Perth Modern School supports the growth ofindividual students to their full academic, intellectual,social and physical potential. Students will developas self motivated, independent learners who will beproductive and responsible community members.

Rich in tradition –Focused on the futurePerth Modern School opened its doors in 1911to students with strong academic abilities.The school established a strong reputationfor high achievement and is recognised forthe successes of former students who haveexcelled as leaders throughout the community.Today, Perth Modern School has returned toacademically selective schooling and is onceagain fully committed to developing the skillsand abilities of academically gifted students.Perth Modern School > Prospectus3

Perth Modern School students are part of a community of like-minded, extremelyacademically able peers. The school is focused on preparing students for the futurewithin a dynamic global environment.Exceptional StudentsStudents are challenged by a curriculum that privileges higher order thinking and reasoning, connects withstudents’ preferred learning styles and allows independent enquiring minds to explore concepts at theirown pace. The school maintains a commitment to keeping its rigorous curriculum engaging and relevantto the needs of very able students.4 Perth Modern School > Prospectus

Bringing out the Bestin the BestThe school meets the needs of curious, imaginative and gifted students who enjoy learning and bringwith them a range of diverse abilities and interests. The self motivation of these students is supportedby a school curriculum which fosters success beyond the school environment. Perth Modern Schoolstudents proceed to tertiary study, winning scholarships and gaining places in highly coveted coursesof study. They progress to distinguished positions and achievements in a variety of careers.Social support is strong and the school facilitates and encourages students to demonstrateconsideration of others and accountability for their own actions. Leadership opportunities are soughtand valued in a school that is full of leaders and balances academic achievement alongside social andcommunity responsibilities.Perth Modern School > Prospectus5

Developing Community LeadersThroughout its history, PerthModern School has producedan impressive array ofachievements. Alumni holdhigh positions in local, nationaland international environmentsand have excelled in the fieldsof engineering, medicine,industry, law, academia, politicsand the arts. Perth ModernSchool has produced 15Rhodes Scholars – a reflectionof the rich tradition ofexcellence. Today’s students aresupported and mentored bythis illustrious alumni.Developing Community Leaders6 Perth Modern School > Prospectus

of the FuturePatron, His ExcellencyMalcolm McCusker AO QCGovernor of Western Australia andformer Perth Modern School studentStructured leadership and serviceopportunities are provided forstudents. Positions of responsibility areavailable at a variety of levels – fromStudent Council representatives tocaptains of sporting and class groupsand peer support leaders.In accepting these opportunities,students will be well placed tolead with courage and serve withconviction. The school views theseopportunities as developing students’self esteem and organisational skills.Leadership at Perth Modern Schoolwill impact positively on students’preparation for life and will empowerthem to take their place in an evolvingglobal and democratic community....empower them to take their place in anevolving global and democratic community.Perth Modern School > Prospectus7

Providing a UniqueEducational ExperienceGifted and talented students work cooperatively in a stimulating, relaxed but structuredand secure learning environment. Perth Modern School reflects the extensive body ofresearch identifying the positive effects of selective schools for very able young peopleand draws on best practices of other selective schools in Australia and overseas.8 Perth Modern School > Prospectus

Exceptional SchoolingQuality teaching staff have the greatest positive impact on studentlearning. Perth Modern School recruits, trains and retains thebest available teaching staff who possess specialist skills andexperience in teaching gifted and talented students. The schoolequips teaching staff with the most up-to-date information andcommunication technology and targeted professional learningopportunities. This supports the school’s aim to deliver leadingedge learning to gifted and talented students.The teachers have a real passion and deepunderstanding of their subject area and arecommitted to extending able students tohigh levels of achievement. Teachers provideenrichment and acceleration opportunities tocarefully identified students and the school hasdirect links with tertiary providers to provideoutstanding opportunities to challenge andbroaden students’ intellectual horizons.Providing OpportunitiesTeachers approach subjects from complex ‘whole’ concepts, including generalisations and principles,rather than from the discrete, ‘atomised’ aspects of a concept. The level and pace of work will match closelywith the needs and abilities of students for whom conventional learning programs are not appropriate.Innovative and flexible programs extend on the interests and achievements of each student.Perth Modern School > Prospectus9

BalancePerthModern School provides a uniqueopportunity to achieve excellence in academic,cultural, sporting and civic endeavours inan inclusive environment conducive tolearning, teaching and friendship. A range ofintellectual, social and life skills is necessaryfor students to excel at university and in theirfuture work contexts.In becoming more connected to their schoolenvironment, especially in their relationshipswith friends, teachers and mentors, studentswill balance their academic achievementsalongside appropriate social and communityresponsibilities.10 Perth Modern School > Prospectus

BalanceThe school values the involvement of students in the extensive range of sporting, cultural, social andcommunity activities available to them. The emphasis is always on involvement to facilitate the developmentof individual and teamwork skills. Extra curricular activities including community service and debating arerecognised as providing valuable opportunities for students to develop individual excellence, leadership andresponsible citizenship.Perth Modern School has an international reputation for excellence inperformance and music studies. Music students take part in a dynamicprogram and are taught by highly skilled professional musicians.Perth Modern School integrates regular health and physical educationactivities into the curriculum and these are designed to improve students’skill levels, interpersonal abilities and general wellbeing. All studentshave opportunities to access a selection of sporting activities includingathletics, swimming, fencing and team sports.Perth Modern School > Prospectus11

General InformationEntranceStudents wishing to enter Perth ModernSchool at Year 8 must complete anentrance examination in Term 1 of theyear preceding entry.Application forms for the selectiontest are available from the Departmentof Education Gifted and TalentedEducation Unit by telephoning9264 5513 or by email atgate@det.wa.edu.au.Application forms are distributed toall primary schools in the State inTerm 4 each year for distribution toYear 6 students.A limited numberof students are alsoadmitted to PerthModern School in Years9, 10 and 11, againthrough a selectiontest. Further details areavailable from Giftedand Talented Educationon 9264 5513.CommunicationsParents are encouraged to take an interestin the activities of their children atPerth Modern School. Communicationbetween the school and home is essentialfor the effective education of students.Informative newsletters are mailed hometwice each term. Email contact withStaff and the School is available. Parentinformation evenings, reporting sessionsand other activities provide opportunitiesfor parent and teacher communication.Telephone contact is valued and willalways lead to a response.Curriculum and AssessmentThe academic program challengesand supports students to developdeep levels of thinking and applicationthrough a range of initiatives.The accelerated and differentiatedcurriculum is tailored to giftedstudents and is based on internationalexperience and research.Student progress is assessedconsistently through valid and reliabletools (essays, investigations, research,tests and examinations). Standards aremonitored by student participation ininternational testing processes such asthose conducted by the University ofNew South Wales.12 Perth Modern School > Prospectus

ContactCONTACT DETAILS >Perth Modern SchoolRoberts Road, SubiacoWestern Australia 6008T: (08) 9380 0555F: (08) 9380 0550E: perthmodernschool@det.wa.edu.auperthmodernschool.det.wa.edu.auPerth Modern School > Prospectus15

perthmodernschool.det.wa.edu.au