High potential and gifted education

Some students learn more quickly or show exceptional ability in areas such as creativity, critical thinking, leadership, or sport.

At our school, we recognise these strengths early and provide targeted opportunities to help advanced learners flourish. Through differentiated learning, enriching activities, and high quality teaching, we nurture their potential and support them to achieve their personal best

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:

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 Cessnock Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is an integral part of our daily teaching practice. We inspire our students to think deeply, create innovatively, lead confidently, and grow continuously.

  • Our teachers carefully assess students’ learning needs and apply evidence-based strategies to both challenge and extend their capabilities. We offer a variety of learning pathways, including enrichment, extension programs, and opportunities for acceleration.
  • Our classrooms foster a supportive environment that promotes belonging, encourages risk-taking, nurtures creativity, and values collaboration. We design tasks that emphasis choice, authenticity, and the development of critical and creative thinking skills.
  • To meet the diverse needs of all students, including those who are high potential and gifted, our staff engage in ongoing professional learning and development.
Across our school

Each student is unique, so we offer flexible and diverse opportunities to meet their individual needs.

  • Students strengthen their abilities through activities such as competitions and critical thinking workshops.
  • Leadership development is fostered through the Student Representative Council (SRC), Year 6 Leaders, mentoring.
  • Everyday life at our school promotes curiosity and a sense of belonging with open library sessions.
  • Sports also play an important role, with PSSA sports that incorporate differentiated Physical Education.
Across NSW

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

  • Students participate in opportunities such as Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking, What Matters Writing Competition.
  • Statewide and NSW Department of Education support is available for high potential and gifted students, and we help with entries.

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.

Contact us

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