Dubbo College year 10 student Chayan Deb Nath is enrolled in full-time study at three different schools.
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The 16-year-old gifted Delroy Campus student has been part of the Xsel Virtual Selective High School Provision, studying maths, science and English via web-conferencing since year 7.
Chayan completes his other subjects with classmates at Delroy Campus, and this year has enrolled in the Dubbo School of Distance Education to undertake accelerated year 11 studies in mathematics.
Xsel school principal Pauline Freeburn said meeting the specialised academic needs of gifted and talented students had been the hallmark of her school, which would continue to operate in 2015 as the selective stream in the state's new virtual secondary school.
"Students like Chayan are able to source their specialised educational needs locally and that is a major advantage for them and their families," Ms Freeburn said.
"Students can stay in their home school and have direct social interaction with their friends, while also being part of a network of gifted and talented students throughout western NSW."
"In Chayan's case he has also accelerated in mathematics and is currently undertaking his year 11 maths studies through the Dubbo School of Distance Education," she said.
Ms Freeburn said applications were currently open for the 2015 selective stream from year 8 to year 10 in the new NSW Virtual Secondary School.
"Students who have been part of the Xsel program gain automatic entry," she said.
"Year 7 offers of placement have already gone out for 2015 but gifted students in schools in the western region who will be in year 8 to 10 next year are invited to apply via the Xsel website by July 29."
"Current year 5 students, who will go into year 7 in 2016, also need to register on the website when the season opens in October."
Ms Freeburn said the major selection criteria for students going into the selective stream were academic excellence and the ability to work independently.
"The selective stream of the Virtual Secondary School will provide a great way for gifted and talented students to access a challenging curriculum meeting high expectations," she said.
Chayan, who has been part of the Xsel school since its inception in 2010 said the real advantage of the provision was the opportunity to work at your own pace.
"I have been able to work at a good pace because I don't have to wait for others to catch up," he said.
"The web-conferencing lessons are also great because you are focusing entirely on the computer screen and therefore there's no distractions like there often are in a real classroom."
The year 10 student, who hopes to become a doctor, will begin year 12 maths in term 4 this year and will continue his study at Dubbo College Senior Campus in 2015.
Dubbo College acting executive principal Stacey Exner said strong partnerships between the College and other education providers including Xsel, TAFE and Dubbo School of Distance Education ensured the diverse needs of all students could readily be met.