PEAC

More information about Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) for parents, teachers and the school community can be found on the North Metro District PEAC website.

PEAC courses encourage:

Intellectual rigour and challenge
Pursuit of excellence
Higher order thinking
Creative thinking
Independent learning

Cooperative learning
Open ended questioning
Problem solving
Risk taking

Visit the North Metro District PEAC site

What is PEAC?

PEAC is a Department of Education initiative which provides enrichment and extension opportunities for exceptionally able primary school students identified as gifted and talented.

In the North Metropolitian Region PEAC caters for students from Years 5 and 6. PEAC centres are located at Balcatta, Kinross, Mt Claremont and Beldridge SHS. Transport to and from PEAC centres is the responsibility of parents.

The program complement school based provision is conducted on a part-time withdrawal basis. The aim is to provide a learning environment which is intellectually stimulating and rigorous, where children can meet and work with their intellectual peers.

PEAC courses span many learning areas and are designed to extend students in their thinking and learning. A unit of study runs for eight to ten weeks with students attending for one morning or afternoon per week. There are three rounds of courses per year.

Student outcomes are assessed through a range of activities which encourage self and peer evaluation. For each course completed, students receive a certificate and report.

All courses attract a fee to offset the cost of computer and internet access, resources, excursions, visiting speakers and, for some courses, specialist teachers. Students will not be excluded for financial reasons.

Identifying students for PEAC

Primary Extension and Challenge courses are designed for students who require differentiated educational programs beyond those normally provided in the regular classroom. The focus is on the special learning needs of students with high intellectual potential, including students who exhibit high levels of creativity or gifts and talents in particular learning areas.

Testing all students in Year 4 makes it possible to identify those suited to PEAC participation. This district-wide assessment provides a comprehensive profile of the specific strengths of each student and highlights a pool of student eligible for PEAC. Additional identification methods, including teacher records and characteristic checklists, support the testing.

Course nomination and selection process

In Years 5 and 6, student identified through testing – and in special cases, teacher-nominations – are offered a range of courses from which to choose. In consultation with teachers and parents, students nominate for courses of their choice. All nominations are forwarded to the PEAC centre/s for processing using a computer-assisted program to select students for courses. A Special Placement List highlights issues of equity and special requests.

Notification

Every effort is made to place students in their preferred course. However, since the number of nominating students is usually greater than the number of placements available, student cannot be guaranteed a placement each round.

Notification regarding eligibility for PEAC is sent via the school. Initial enquiries regarding PEAC should be directed to the Sorrento PS PEAC coordinator, Christine Byrne. Further enquiries regarding PEAC programs may be directed to the PEAC centres listed on this page.

Early Years PEAC

The North Metro Region runs an Early Years Extension Program for identified students in Years 1 – 3. More information about this program is available from www.northmetropeac.wa.edu.au. Our school based Coordinator is Christine Byrne.