High potential and gifted education

Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction

• Curriculum compacting to enable acceleration through already-mastered content.
• Enrichment opportunities that extend the depth and complexity of standard curriculum areas, including English, Mathematics, Science and HSIE.
• Higher-order thinking, critical analysis and problem-solving embedded within teaching and learning programs.
• Flexible grouping to allow gifted students to collaborate with peers or pursue independent projects.
• Strategic use of digital technologies to foster creativity and develop advanced research skills.

Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)

• Development of personalised learning goals aligned to each student’s strengths, interests and learning needs.
• Ongoing monitoring and review of ILPs in collaboration with students, parents and teachers.

Additional Options

• Subject-specific curriculum acceleration where appropriate.
• Opportunities for participation in external and school-based gifted programs.

Dedicated HPGE Programs and Groups

• Targeted groups and programs for identified students, including Dance ensembles (Junior and Senior), Drama groups (Junior and Senior), Choir and Music ensembles.
• Enrichment days and workshops focusing on creative thinking, leadership and advanced disciplines such as robotics, STEM and chess.
• Participation in debating, public speaking and mathematics problem-solving groups specifically designed for high-potential and gifted students.

Staff Expertise and Professional Learning

• Ongoing professional learning for staff in high-potential and gifted education strategies and differentiation.
• Appointment of a Gifted Education Coordinator or specialist to lead programs and support teachers in identifying and catering for gifted learners.

Student Leadership and Mentoring

• Opportunities for high-potential and gifted students to take on formal leadership roles and mentoring responsibilities.
• Peer mentoring programs that promote collaboration, critical thinking and student agency.

Parental Involvement and Support

• Ongoing collaboration with families to support the academic, social and emotional well-being of high-potential and gifted learners.
• Engagement of parent and community volunteers who contribute their expertise to enrich and support school-based HPGE programs.

 Academic Competitions and Challenges

• Participation in a wide range of state-wide and nation-wide competitions designed to extend ability and recognise excellence, including the Maths Olympiad, Maths Games, Maths Explorer, Write-On Competition, Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier's Debating Challenge, Metropolitan South and Metropolitan South and West Public Speaking Competitions, Pulse Alive, Operation Art, National History Challenge and the IWPSSA Zone Sporting Pathway.
• Access to Gateways Education and other enrichment camps that provide advanced learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Department of Education Initiatives and Networks

• Access to the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education policy, resources and guidance.
• Connection to regional gifted education networks that support staff professional learning and provide student enrichment opportunities.
• Specialist support from regional gifted education consultants to enhance school-based provision.

Online and Distance Learning Opportunities

• Participation in state-wide and nation-wide online enrichment programs and courses tailored to gifted learners beyond the local curriculum.
• Opportunities to engage with extended learning communities that connect gifted students across NSW.

Wellbeing and Social–Emotional Support

• Access to a range of wellbeing, leadership and peer support programs that nurture the social and emotional development of high-potential and gifted students, including Peer Support, Foster Buddies, Koori Club, Student Representative Council (SRC), Earthlings, Breakfast Reading Club and Student Leadership Teams.