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 Stanwell Park Public School, we are proud to support the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy, which ensures that every student with high potential is recognised, supported and challenged to achieve their personal best. We know that potential can be expressed in many ways- intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical - and we are committed to nurturing each child’s strengths across these domains.

Our approach is a continuous process of identifying potential, planning, implementation and reflection, ensuring that every student’s abilities are noticed, valued and extended. We believe that with the right opportunities, encouragement and challenge, all learners can grow and excel.

Through enrichment, extension and extra-curricular programs, our students are given meaningful opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and build the confidence and skills they need for high school and beyond.

Opportunities for High Potential and Gifted Students at Stanwell Park Public School

Intellectual

Participation in extension literacy and numeracy programs
Engagement in science experiments and STEM activities
Opportunities to build digital literacy and technology skills
Involvement in extension or support programs such as: Tournament of Minds, public speaking, chess, debating, the Premier’s Spelling Bee, and HPGE days at Bulli High School

Physical

Active participation in physical education and sport programs
Swimming Scheme
District trials for representative PSSA teams
Gala Days promoting teamwork, skill and sportsmanship
Gardening and playground care that builds responsibility and wellbeing

Buddy programs, including our caring Year 6 and Kindergarten Buddy initiative
Student leadership opportunities, such as School Leaders and Sports Captains
The Break student-led podcast, sharing their learning and interests with our community and the world.
Fundraising and community service projects that develop empathy, teamwork and a sense of contribution
The Stanwell Park Way and our Values awards celebrating Respect, Engagement and Safety

Creative

Participation in visual arts, craft, and creative writing activities
Engagement in music, choir, and band
Opportunities to shine through dance, drama, and school performances

What is High Potential and Gifted Education?

High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is how we support students with advanced learning needs at Stanwell Park Public School.

We do this through:

Effective teaching strategies such as enrichment, extension and acceleration
Tailored classroom support and general adjustments that stretch, challenge and inspire learners
A wide range of opportunities, both within and beyond the classroom, that help students realise their potential 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

At Stanwell Park Public School, high potential and gifted education is part of our everyday practice. We recognise that many of our students demonstrate high potential in different ways, and we’re committed to helping that potential grow into something remarkable.

Our teachers use ongoing assessment and evidence-informed strategies to identify each student’s learning needs, providing purposeful challenge and extension in their daily learning. We offer a range of learning pathways — including enrichment, extension and acceleration — to ensure every student is engaged, inspired and stretched to achieve their personal best.

In our supportive and collaborative classrooms, students feel a strong sense of belonging. They are encouraged to take risks, think creatively and work together to solve problems. Learning groups are flexible, students are given opportunities to lead, and feedback focuses on strengths, clear goals and self-reflection.

Our teachers also engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure we continue to meet the diverse needs of all our learners, including those with high potential and giftedness.

Across our school

Every student is unique, so our opportunities are flexible, diverse and designed to nurture individual strengths and passions.

Students extend their thinking through debating, public speaking, chess, Tournament Of Minds, the Premier’s Spelling Bee, and STEM and technology projects that inspire curiosity and problem solving.

Talent is celebrated through our creative arts programs, including school performances, drama, dance, visual arts, music, choir, and band. Students also take on leadership and technical roles behind the scenes, contributing to assemblies, our podcast, productions and events with pride.

Leadership and connection grow through the school and sport leadership roles, and our Year 6–Kindergarten Buddy program. These experiences build confidence, teamwork and a strong sense of belonging.

Everyday life at Stanwell Park Public School encourages participation, wellbeing and joy — whether it’s through gardening and school playground care, lunchtime clubs, or representing our school with pride in Gala Days, swimming and district sporting events.

Across NSW

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

Students participate in opportunities such as DoE Arts Unit initiatives, DoE Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking, Premiers Debating Challenge and Sport and P.E opportunities up to State Representative level.

Statewide and NSW Department of Education support is available for high potential and gifted students, and we help with entries.