High potential and gifted education (HPGE)
At Gooloogong Public School, we are committed to developing high potential across 4 domains: Creative, Intellectual, Physical & Social-Emotional. 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 opportunities and activities to help them grow and thrive. We tailor these experiences by partnering with other small schools, creating a culture of high expectations and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to develop their talent.
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.
We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at our school.
- Our classroom practices support and extend high potential and gifted students.
- We identify students' learning needs in the classroom and individualise pathways including acceleration where appropriate.
- Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
Our school recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.
- Being from a regional area gives our school the chance to be innovative in our approach to high potential and gifted learners. For example: varied age class groupings, virtual classrooms, school network VET opportunities.
- We partner with other regional schools to deliver teaching and learning experiences and opportunities for all students to develop their potential in all domains: creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional.
- We work with other regional schools to share our expertise and classroom resources for the benefit of all students.
- Our students have the opportunity to travel to different sporting events across NSW.
- We use technology to provide different ways of learning that help students develop their talent, regardless of distance, location or background.
- We use the expertise of parents and carers and community to ensure all students have opportunities to develop their potential.
- We ensure our teachers have time to engage in professional learning to build their experience and ensure they can assess and identify talent in the classroom and school setting.
- Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted extra-curricular opportunities such as PSSA sporting pathways, academic competitions, leadership workshops, STEM and coding lessons.
- Student creative talent is celebrated and extended through school musicals, local Eisteddfod performances, visual arts showcases, school band and combined Cowra Small Schools Showcase performances.
- Our students can take part in morning fitness sessions, PSSA sports programs, competitions and differentiated Physical Education programs and coaching sessions.
Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.
- Statewide/NSW Department of Education level support is available for our high potential and gifted students.
- We provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents. See System level opportunities for examples to customise for your school context.
Academic Competitions
Academic competitions such as the Premier's Reading Challenge and Spelling Bee, provide students with opportunities to challenge their knowledge, extend their learning and engage with complex problems beyond the classroom. These competitions foster critical thinking, problem-solving and intellectual curiosity across a range of disciplines. By participating, students develop resilience, strategic thinking and a passion for academic excellence, enriching their educational experience and connecting them with like-minded peers.
The Premier’s Sporting Challenge & Fitness Sessions
The Premier's Sporting Challenge provides students with opportunities to engage in physical activity that supports overall well-being and balanced development. This initiative encourages participants to set individual fitness goals, embrace teamwork and develop resilience through regular exercise and sport.
As part of our HGPE program, this challenge, combined with our morning Fitness Sessions, not only enhances student physical health but also skills such as discipline, focus and perseverance. Nurturing physical & mental health to provide holistic support to well being and academic excellence.
Creative Performances
Opportunities to practice and perform creatively encourages our students to explore & develop their artistic abilities in a supportive environment that values innovation & expression. These experiences build self-confidence and resilience whilst fostering collaboration and teamwork through Music, Art, Drama & Dance.
Opportunities include:
School Band
Eisteddfod Recitals, Percussion & Music Ensembles
Small School Showcase Drama or Dance performances
Visual Arts Displays & Agricultural Show Entries
Help for your high potential child
If your child shows signs of high potential, contact us. We can share how our HPGE support can guide their learning journey.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover the opportunities our students have at our school.
Learning
Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.