High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

In our classroom, we are committed to effectively supporting High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) through a responsive and individualised approach. Thanks to our high student-to-teacher ratio, we are able to closely monitor each student’s learning journey, ensuring their unique strengths and needs are recognised and met. We use ongoing assessment, both formative and summative, to identify student potential early, target specific learning needs, and provide opportunities to extend and enrich learning beyond the standard curriculum. With a small age range in each group, we are able to fine-tune differentiation and design learning experiences that are both age-appropriate and intellectually stimulating, allowing every student to thrive.

Across our school

At our school, we provide a dynamic and inclusive HPGE program that supports students across all four domains of potential: intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical. Despite being a small school, we offer an impressive range of enrichment opportunities—allowing every student to be challenged, extended, and inspired.

In the intellectual domain, students are engaged through chess lessons and competitions, robotics, and a strong integration of technology in learning. Academic extension is also offered through ICAS competitions and inquiry-based learning experiences that promote critical thinking and problem-solving. Additionally, our students benefit from French lessons with a native French-speaking teacher, enriching their language skills, cultural understanding, and cognitive development.

The creative domain is supported through our rich music program, with a professional music teacher guiding students to explore a variety of instruments owned by the school. Students also take part in drama and whole-school productions, as well as excursions to art galleries and live performances at the Sydney Opera House, fostering artistic appreciation and self-expression.

In the social-emotional domain, students build leadership and empathy through peer mentoring, public speaking competitions, and meaningful collaborative projects. These experiences help students develop confidence, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.

Our physical domain is well supported through year-round swimming lessons in small groups with professional instructors, interschool sporting carnivals, and lessons with professional coaches each semester. Students also actively participate in gardening, tending to our school garden and chickens. They use the produce and eggs they collect to cook healthy meals, combining hands-on learning with lessons in sustainability, nutrition, and teamwork.

Through these varied experiences, our school offers a well-rounded and enriching environment that nurtures high potential in every student, across multiple domains of talent.

Across NSW

System-Wide High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Opportunities

As part of the wider NSW Department of Education system, our school actively participates in a range of statewide programs that provide high-potential students with opportunities to connect, excel, and grow beyond the classroom. These experiences support talent development across all HPGE domains—intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical.

In the creative domain, our students proudly take part in the School Spectacular as members of the massed choir, performing alongside peers from across the state in a world-class production. We also participate in Department of Education ensembles, such as the State Recorder Concert at the Sydney Opera House, giving students the opportunity to showcase their musical talents on professional stages.

The intellectual and social-emotional domains are supported through whole-school participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which fosters a love of literature and independent learning. Our commitment to student wellbeing is further strengthened through The Resilience Project, an evidence-based program that builds emotional literacy, empathy, and positive mental health through practical strategies.

In the physical domain, we take part in the Premier’s Sporting Challenge, promoting physical fitness, goal setting, and healthy lifestyle habits through structured activity and friendly competition across the state.

These system-wide programs complement our school-based HPGE initiatives, ensuring our students benefit from broad, inclusive, and high-quality opportunities that nurture their strengths and support their continued growth.