A passion for helping gifted students reach their full potential has led St Anthony’s Catholic School Marsfield teacher Lauren Marnezos to one of the University of New South Wales (UNSW)’s highest academic honours.
Lauren has been named on the 2025 Dean’s List for her outstanding results in the Graduate Certificate in High Potential and Gifted Education.
Lauren’s interest in high potential and gifted education was ignited early in her teaching career, where she realised that gifted students require deliberate, thoughtful differentiation to truly thrive, and that their learning needs are not always immediately visible.
“While teachers are often very aware of students who may need additional support, high potential learners can be overlooked or assumed to be ‘doing fine’ on their own,” Lauren explains.
“I wanted to deepen my understanding of how to identify and nurture these students’ abilities, while also supporting their emotional and social development.”
Being named on the Dean’s List at UNSW is a recognition Lauren describes as both humbling and motivating.
“More than anything, it affirmed how passionate I am about continuing to grow as an educator,” she says.
Lauren plans to continue developing her own research into the influence of teacher attitudes on the learning experiences of gifted students.
“The gifted child may not always stand out, and it is our job as educators to dig deeper and look beyond surface achievement to uncover their true potential,” she says.
The recognition has also opened the door to further research. With guidance from a university supervisor, Lauren will now start to explore how professional learning can help teachers better understand and support gifted students in their classrooms.
Jacinta Russo, Manager of Curriculum and Innovation at Sydney Catholic Schools, said Lauren’s achievement is one the whole community can celebrate.
“Lauren has shown exceptional commitment since beginning her postgraduate studies in Gifted Education through the Sydney Catholic Schools Supported Study Program. We are excited as she shares her expertise for the benefit of both her students and colleagues.”
Through the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program, offered across 90 schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Sydney Catholic Schools support the whole child including their intellect, creativity, character and faith.
Jacinta Russo says the system takes a thoughtful and supportive approach to gifted education, helping teachers recognise and nurture students with high potential.
“Our schools use an internationally recognised framework called Gagné’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent that helps teachers identify students whose natural abilities or achievements place them among the top performers for their age across areas such as thinking, creativity, social skills and physical ability.”
Lauren Marnezos says she is committed to applying her research in developing enrichment opportunities for students, and a culture where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking flourish.
“The role a teacher plays as both educator and mentor can be the difference between a student realising their potential and the student missing the opportunities they need.”
