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 Hastings Public School, high potential and gifted education is embedded in everyday practice. We are committed to recognising and nurturing the strengths, interests and potential of every student, ensuring all learners have the opportunity to thrive.

Our classrooms are inclusive, supportive environments where students feel a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to take risks, think deeply and collaborate with others. Teaching and learning experiences are intentionally designed to provide choice, challenge and opportunities for creativity and critical thinking.

Flexible grouping, student voice, leadership roles and strengths-based feedback support students to set goals, reflect on their learning and extend themselves.

Our teachers engage in ongoing professional learning to support high potential and gifted students across all domains, ensuring adjustments and extensions are informed by data, student work samples, observations and reflection.

Across our school

Hastings Public School recognises that every student is an individual, and we provide a wide range of flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore, develop and showcase their strengths beyond the classroom.

High potential and gifted students are supported and extended through quality extra-curricular and co-curricular programs that begin at the school level and connect with opportunities across our local community and beyond.

These opportunities include:

Premier’s Public Speaking Competition and workshops
Premier’s Debating Competition and workshops
Robotics and STEM initiatives
Tournament of Minds (TOM)
Dance Groups
Choir
Band
Biannual Glasshouse Showcase
Student leadership roles, including the Hastings Leadership Team (HLT)
Leadership training program for Year 5
Peer mentor opportunities
Environmental leadership through Green Thumb Gardening Group
A broad range of sporting opportunities, including athletics, swimming, cross country and team sports, with pathways to zone, regional and state representation

Across NSW

Student talent, effort and growth are celebrated, and leadership is fostered through authentic roles that allow students to contribute meaningfully to school life.

Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide programs that aim to extend and enrich student potential.

Hastings Public School continues to prioritise sporting participation in a multitude of competitions including gala days, combined schools knock out competitions and selection through to zone, regional and state carnivals.
The Premier’s Sporting Challenge promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and collaborative learning. Students reflect and share their learning, so experiences build knowledge and character, contributing to the identity of themselves and their school.