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.

In our classroom

At Old Bar Public School, supporting High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is part of our everyday practice.

Many of our students demonstrate high potential, and we are committed to helping that potential grow into something powerful.
Our teachers carefully identify students’ learning needs and use evidence-informed practices to challenge and extend them. We provide a range of learning pathways, including enrichment, extension, and acceleration opportunities.
In our supportive classrooms, students experience a strong sense of belonging, where creativity, collaboration, and risk-taking are encouragedLearning groups are flexible, students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and opportunities for self-assessment.
Our teachers also engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure they can meet the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.

Across our school

Every student is unique, so the opportunities we provide are flexible and diverse.

Students are encouraged to deepen their strengths through debating, competitions, critical thinking workshops, and STEM and coding pathways such as Lego Club, 3D printing, and technology.
Talent is celebrated through school musicals and showcases, including our annual Art Show, drama, visual arts, music, choir, band, and dance.
Leadership is nurtured through the SRC, mentoring, and peer coaching, while wellbeing is made visible through Active Learner awards, our on-site wellbeing initiatives, and Berry Street practices.
Daily life at Old Bar Public School fosters curiosity and belonging, with an open library at lunchtime, creative play, Free Dance Fridays, craft groups, and other activities that bring students together. Sport also plays an important role, with PSSA opportunities, training, coaching, house competitions, and differentiated PE to engage all learners.

Across NSW

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

Students participate in opportunities such as ICAS, Premier’s Spelling Bee and Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking,
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.