High Potential and Gifted Education

Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.

At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

Our teachers find potential and nurture our students to be the best they can be.

Tailored lessons

Each student has different abilities. Teachers respond to each student’s ability by providing extra challenges and extension activities to keep learning exciting and engaging.

Rich opportunities and activities

Students can take part in opportunities to develop their talent in the arts, sport, leadership and more.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide opportunities that aim to extend and enrich student potential.

What is high potential and gifted education?

High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs.

We do this through:

effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration

tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire

access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.

In our classroom

Differentiated teaching and learning that intentionally provides appropriate challenge, depth and complexity, ensuring all students are engaged and supported to achieve their potential
Flexible grouping structures that allow students to work with peers of similar readiness, interest or ability, supporting extension, enrichment and targeted talent development
Explicit teaching of key concepts and skills, with planned opportunities for students to apply and refine their learning in increasingly sophisticated and authentic contexts
Open-ended tasks and inquiry-based learning experiences that promote creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and student agency
Ongoing formative assessment practices that identify individual strengths, interests and areas for growth, informing responsive teaching and future learning opportunities

Across our school

Debating opportunities to develop confidence, reasoning and persuasive communication
STEM and coding clubs that foster innovation, problem-solving and digital skills
Participation in academic competitions to extend and challenge learners
Critical thinking workshops that promote deep thinking and reasoning
Music lessons and ensembles to develop instrumental skills and performance confidence
Visual arts, dance and drama showcases that celebrate creative expression
Creative writing groups to develop imagination and advanced literacy skills
Aboriginal education and cultural programs that build understanding, respect and connection to culture
Sport squads and participation in PSSA to support skill development, teamwork and competitive pathways
Performance-based movement groups that develop coordination, expression and confidence
Peer mentoring and Peer Support programs that promote leadership, empathy and positive relationships
Wellbeing programs that support social and emotional development
Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives that support all learners

Across NSW

Alignment with the NSW Department of Education High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy, ensuring consistent, equitable and high-quality support for high potential and gifted students
Access to state-wide initiatives, programs and targeted opportunities designed to identify, nurture and extend student potential across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains
Participation in external competitions, challenges and enrichment opportunities, including Newcastle permanent maths competitions, ICAS Assessments and PSSA sporting pathways
Engagement in Community of Schools cultural days, providing opportunities for students to connect, collaborate and learn alongside students from other schools
Opportunities to engage with specialist programs, networks and expert educators across NSW
Participation in high-level performance pathways, including FISAF National Championships and state-level aerobics competitions
Consistent monitoring and evaluation of student progress to support sustained talent development, long-term growth and achievement