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.

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Our Port Stephens 'Film By the Waters' was a huge success and I am extremely proud of our students and staff for the work they have put into our film "Little Whispers from the World."

"It’s amazing, isn’t it? How the world still finds a way to glow… even when we forget to look.

Sometimes, it’s just about stopping… and listening. To the wind. The birds. The way the leaves say hello.

These tiny things—flowers, sunlight, even the smell of fresh dirt—they're like little whispers from the world, reminding us to feel something good.

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. It just has to be noticed. And when you share the joy you see… it grows.

That’s the magic of it."

https://bcove.video/3W5YMWm

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.

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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.

Our recent Mural in a day project.

Our Stage 3 students had an amazing time today with Mrs Seager and artist Kate Stehr from the Department of Education Arts Unit! They learned how to spray paint and helped create a colourful mural celebrating spring. The artwork features the beautiful Flannel flower, blooming all around Port Stephens right now.

https://players.brightcove.net/6111118295001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6380020710112

In our classroom

Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.

Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning.
Advanced learning pathways, including accelerated or compacted content.
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.
Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE.
Targeted learning goals for coordination, agility, and control.
Opportunities to take on lead roles in physical demonstrations or team strategy.
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.

Across our school

CAPA groups K-6 in order to provide students with opportunity to be taught by specialist teachers in the areas for visual art, dance, drama and music.
Deadly Dutchies is a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high potential, gifted students in the social emotional domain who engage in opportunities to develop leadership skills in local preschools.
Academic competitions such as ICAS and Newcastle Permanent Math.
Choir
Visual art, drama and music showcases
Rock Band
Dance groups
Coding
Creative writing groups
Sports squads
House competitions
Student leadership
Wellbeing programs
Participation in whole school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives

Across NSW

The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
Participation in state-wide dance opportunities such as Starstruck.