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.
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) at our school is designed to recognise and nurture the diverse talents and abilities of students across four domains of potential: intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical. We provide a tailored and stimulating learning environment that challenges students to excel and develop their unique strengths. Through differentiated curriculum, enrichment programs and supportive teaching practices, we aim to foster critical thinking, creativity, leadership and personal growth. Our commitment is to ensure that every high potential and gifted student is engaged, motivated and supported to reach their full potential in a holistic and inclusive manner.
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.
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
- Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning.
- Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
- Opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth.
- Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects.
- Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation.
- Targeted learning goals for coordination, agility, and control.
- Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment.
- Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.
- Opportunities for leadership within the classroom.
- Structured peer collaboration and reflection.
- Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance.
- Debating
- STEM and coding clubs
- Academic competitions
- Critical thinking workshops
- School concerts
- Visual arts and drama showcases
- Creative writing groups
- PSSA Sport Teams
- House competitions
- Performance-based movement groups
- Peer mentoring
- Student leadership (SRC)
- Wellbeing programs
- Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives.
- The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
- Our STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
- The St. George Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
- The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
- Representative PSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
- APSMO Maths Olympiad competition
- Young Leaders Conference Day
Academic competitions
Students at Penshurst West Public School actively participate in a variety of academic competitions including the APSMO Maths Olympiad, Premier's Spelling Bee and Enrichment Competitions at local High Schools. Academic competitions offer valuable opportunities for students to challenge themselves, deepen their knowledge and apply their skills in real-world contexts. These competitions foster a spirit of curiosity, resilience and teamwork, encouraging students to push beyond the standard curriculum and explore new areas of interest. By participating, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities and confidence, while connecting with like-minded peers who share their passion for learning.
Sporting Pathways
At our school, we offer a wide range of sporting opportunities for students to develop their skills, fitness and teamwork. Students can participate in local PSSA competitions and within the Georges River District, representing our school and showcasing their talents. For those who excel, there are pathways to higher levels of competition, including Sydney East regional events and the prestigious NSW state championships. These pathways provide students with valuable experience and the chance to compete against some of the best young athletes in the state. Our gifted athletes receive the guidance and resources needed to reach their full potential both on and off the field. These opportunities enrich the HPGE experience by motivating students to strive for excellence and celebrate their achievements.
Dance Groups
Our school’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program nurtures the talents of our students by providing enriching opportunities to excel creatively and academically. Our vibrant school dance groups, a proud part of this program, showcase their skills and passion through dynamic performances. Recently, they had the exciting opportunity to perform at the St. George Performing Arts Festival (SPAF), captivating audiences with their energy and creativity.
SRC
The Student Representative Council (SRC) offers valuable leadership opportunities for HPGE students to develop and showcase their skills in decision-making, communication and teamwork. Through their involvement in the SRC, HPGE students have a platform to express their student voice, actively contributing to shaping school events and representing the views and interests of their peers. This experience nurtures their confidence, responsibility and problem-solving abilities. By participating in the SRC, HPGE students gain practical leadership experience that supports their personal growth and prepares them to take on future challenges with confidence and integrity.
Youth Leadership Conference
Each year, our School Captains and leaders participate in the Youth Leadership Conference, gaining valuable skills and inspiration. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we empower our School Captains, prefects, and HPGE students to develop confidence, effective communication and strong leadership abilities, preparing them to excel not only academically but also in all future endeavours beyond the classroom.
Debating and Public Speaking
We support High Potential and Gifted education (HPGE) students through active participation in the Metropolitan South Public Speaking and Debating competitions, providing them with dynamic opportunities to develop critical communication skills, confidence and persuasive thinking. These activities encourage students to articulate their ideas clearly, listen thoughtfully to different perspectives and engage in respectful, evidence-based discussions. Through specialised training, mentoring and regular practice, we help students build their abilities in research, argument construction and effective presentation.
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