High school teachers — advice needed on selective academic class offers for Year 7
My child recently sat the test for a fully selective school in VIC (still waiting on that outcome) and also for an academically selective class at a local high school.
We honestly assumed they'd get into the local class without much trouble. They are super bright — consistently near or at the top of the year, regular academic recognition awards, years in extension math classes, solid NAPLAN results in Year 5 (exceeding in every category except one that was strong), and selected for a small gifted-education program run at the high school, chosen by teachers across several feeder schools. Every school report has been strong across the board with high achievement for every subject.
Then a few weeks ago we found out they didn't make the class and are on a waitlist- but near the bottom of a long waitlist, well outside the number of places available. It seems they didn't do well on the entry test, while lots of kids they usually outperform did get a place.
My question is: what, if anything, should I do? Do I contact the high school to ask about it? Talk to the primary school for advice and see if they can talk to the high school? Or just leave it, trusting they'll do well anyway and eventually move into the top classes? The school expects some families to decline if they land selective-school offers, but given the waitlist position, there's no realistic chance of a spot opening up.
One more thing weighing on me: at the time of the test, our family was going through a very, very, very serious crisis that the primary school knew about. I didn't request any accommodations, because I thought they were coping fine at the time. Now I can't help wondering whether everything happening at home affected the result, and I feel guilty about it.
Is this a case of they didn't do well on that test, bad luck, learn from it, move on? Or is there a realistic chance to get them bumped up the list if i talk to the school?