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 our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow 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.
At South Grafton Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is integrated into our daily teaching. Every student possesses high potential, and we nurture that potential to develop into something extraordinary.
- Teachers identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students. We provide learning pathways, including enrichment and extension programs and acceleration.
- Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
- Groups are flexible, students take lead roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and self-assessment.
- Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners
Every student is individual, so opportunities are flexible and diverse.
- Students deepen strengths through debating and public speaking, critical thinking workshops, and STEM and coding pathways as well as the Game Changer Challenge.
- Talent is celebrated through our performing arts program (Dance, Choir, Verse Speaking, Band and Instrumental) and is showcased throughout the year at many different events including the Grafton Eisteddfod, Jacaranda School's Day, Education Week performances and our community Christmas Carols Celebration.
- Student leadership is fostered through opportunities including SRC, House Captains, Prefects, Library Monitors, Year 6 PRIDE Leadership as well as our Captains and Vice Captains who also attend the annual Young Leaders Conference.
- Daily life invites curiosity and belonging, with Open Library at break times, a free breakfast program, access to IT Centre with an array of resources including laptops, promethean boards and mixed games.
- Participation in Sport including PSSA Knockout Competitions, Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals, specialised coaching and house competitions that include differentiated PE.
Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.
- Students participate in opportunities such as DoE Game Changer Challenge, APSMO Maths Olympiad, , Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking, Dorothea Mackellar Poetry, The Long Way Home Writing Competition and NAIDOC public speaking competition.
- Statewide and NSW Department of Education support is available for high potential and gifted students, and we help with entries, preparation and reflection so every experience feeds back into learning.
Game Changer Challenge Competition
The Game Changer Challenge is an innovative, project-based learning initiative designed to engage High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) students in creative problem-solving and real-world challenges. This year, five teams participated in the competition, with all five advancing to the second round. Impressively, one of our teams was selected to compete in the grand final.
NSW PSSA Knockout Competitions
Each year, our students have the opportunity to try out for our PSSA Knockout teams. This gives them a chance to pursue their interests at school and explore activities they might not have access to outside of the school environment. Some of our sporting teams include:
AFL, Basketball, Soccer, Cricket, Hockey, Rugby League, Tennis, Netball
Performing Arts Program
The performing arts program greatly benefits HGPE by fostering creativity, self-expression and confidence among students. It enhances collaboration and communication skills through group performances and rehearsals, supporting social and emotional development.
Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking
The multicultural public speaking program benefits HGPE by promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity among students. It encourages participants to develop strong communication and leadership skills while respecting diverse perspectives. This program helps build confidence in expressing ideas publicly, fosters empathy and strengthens community connections, contributing to a more supportive and globally minded school environment.
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