High potential and gifted education

What does High Potential and Gifted Learning look like at Hurstville Public school?

At our school, every learner’s potential is our priority. Many students have high potential, and we help that potential to grow into something powerful.

All NSW public schools have a range of differentiated learning opportunities, enabling students to thrive and reach their potential.
Our school has a variety of supports available for students through a range of high-potential and gifted opportunities.
We use objective, valid and reliable measures to assess and identify high-potential and gifted students’ learning needs.
We provide access to local, state and national competitions that help students explore and extend their talents.

The 4 domains of potential

The 4 domains of potential do not sit in isolation and students may demonstrate high potential in one or more domains. The domains of potential may interact and influence one another

The creative domain

Involves imagination, originality and invention, supported through opportunities to be creative, innovative, take risks and solve problems.

The intellectual domain

Involves advanced abilities in reasoning, understanding and learning transfer, supported through differentiation, enrichment, acceleration and purposeful grouping.

The physical domain

Involves natural abilities in movement and motor control, supported through opportunities, mentoring, coaching and enrichment.

Involves abilities in self-management and relationships, supported through leadership, self-awareness, interpersonal skills and mentoring.

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

Our classroom practices support and extend high potential and gifted students.

Differentiated writing groups, maths groups, reading groups.
Extension learning opportunities (tiered tasks, inquiry-based learning).
Student choice in projects and presentations (e.g. Night of Notables, open-ended tasks, creative expression in CAPA).
Purposeful grouping and acceleration (e.g. targeted maths groups, advanced English tasks).
Science and writing competitions.

Across our school

Our school offers a range of whole-school programs that support student growth.

Lunchtime and after-school enrichment (STEM, Deck Games, Dance, Drama, String Ensemble).
Peer Power, Peer Mentoring. Buddy Program.
SRC Representatives and student leadership pathways.
Integration of EAL/D and HPGE strategies in mainstream lessons.
School-based sports teams, carnivals and coaching.
Specialised programs and competitions.
Creative showcases (Shakespeare Day, Readers Theatre, Night of Notables, school musicals.

Across NSW

Our students participate in a wide range of programs to extend their potential.

WriteOn and Operation Art Music ensembles (State Choirs, State Wind Orchestra).
Premier’s Sporting Challenge. Premier’s Spelling Bee Premier’s.
Debating Challenge (PSC) Participation in physical activity and leadership.
Representative Sport Pathways (PSSA) – trials & competition at regional, state& national levels.
Maths Olympiads.
Partnerships with local highschools for Mentoring Program – advanced extension opportunities.