High potential and gifted education
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is all about helping students discover what they’re good at and then taking those strengths to the next level.
Some students learn faster, think more deeply, create passionately, or show strong leadership, athletic, or social-emotional skills. HPGE makes sure these abilities are recognised, supported, and extended.
At Ku-ring-gai High School, we develop student talent across the four domains of potential:
- Creative – like art, music, drama, dance, design and performance
- Intellectual – like problem-solving, critical thinking, writing and academic challenges
- Physical – like sport, fitness, skill training and competition
- Social-emotional – like leadership, teamwork, empathy and communication
Every student has strengths. HPGE helps them grow, feel confident, and have the chance to excel.
We do this through:
- effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration
- tailored supportduring lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire
- access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.
Why Choose Ku-ring-gai 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
All 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 every classroom, students experience learning that stretches their thinking and builds on their strengths. We support high potential and gifted learners through:
- Enrichment tasks that deepen learning, encourage problem-solving and promote higher-order thinking.
- Explicit teaching, so students understand new skills clearly and can apply them confidently.
- Differentiated learning, allowing students to work at a pace and level that matches their ability.
- Tasks with choice, creativity and real-world connections, including cross-curricular projects that link ideas across subjects.
Every student is encouraged to think deeply, take on challenges, and grow their potential every day.
We offer a wide range of programs that help students develop leadership, confidence, creativity and teamwork across all four domains of potential. School-wide opportunities include:
- Leadership roles such as Student Representative Council, house captains and Peer Support leaders.
- Mentoring programs through RISE UP for Unity and Raise Foundation, supporting student wellbeing, confidence and social-emotional growth.
- Talent Enrichment Program (TEP) – offering a range of extension programs across Creative and Sport fields.
- Creative Arts Scholarship Program (NATA) – for students seeking advanced opportunities in dance, drama, music and visual arts.
- Lunchtime clubs and creative spaces that allow students to explore interests, build skills and connect with like-minded peers
These programs help students build confidence, collaborate with others and develop their strengths beyond the classroom.
Students can access a range of NSW-wide programs, competitions and performance pathways that extend their talent and connect them with peers across the state, including:
- Combined High Schools (CHS) knockout competitions, and selection through zone, regional and state carnivals across multiple sports.
- Blowfly Cricket Club partnership, supporting inclusive participation and skills development.
- State competitions such as NSW Geography, History and Mathematics Challenges.
- School Spectacular programs for students in dance, music, drama, entertainment industries and production crew.
These statewide programs give students the chance to enrich their skills, build confidence and represent their school in high-level opportunities.
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.