High potential and gifted education

At Waterfall Public School, we are committed to recognising and developing the talents and capabilities of all students. In alignment with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy, we provide a school-wide approach to identifying, supporting, and extending students who demonstrate high potential in one or more of the following domains:

Intellectual
Creative
Social-Emotional
Physical

We know that with the right support and challenge, students with high potential can achieve outstanding outcomes, both academically and personally.

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 the classroom

Our teachers use evidence-based, high-impact strategies to engage and extend high potential learners. These include:

Differentiation: Adjusting content, process, product, and learning environment to meet student readiness and interest
Curriculum compacting and acceleration: Allowing students to move through content at a faster pace or engage in advanced learning
Open-ended tasks and problem-solving challenges: Encouraging deeper thinking and creativity
Student voice and choice: Providing opportunities for students to direct aspects of their learning and pursue areas of interest
Assessment for learning: Using formative assessment to track growth, set personalised goals, and identify next steps

Classroom teachers also monitor for signs of high potential across all four domains using observation, data analysis, and ongoing professional collaboration.

Across our school

In addition to strong classroom practice, Waterfall Public School offers a range of school-wide initiatives designed to foster talent and provide meaningful challenge for high potential learners:

HPGE Social-Emotional Program: A structured program that builds self-awareness, resilience, leadership, and collaboration skills
Public Speaking and Writing Projects: Opportunities for students to engage in extended oral and written expression, with feedback and performance opportunities
STEM and Inquiry-Based Learning: Access to projects that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through real-world problem solving
Creative Arts and Performance Opportunities: Visual arts, music, drama, and dance activities that support creative expression and performance confidence
Physical Activity and Sports Pathways: Daily fitness, team games, and access to representative sport trials for physically talented students
Cross-School Enrichment Days and Camps: Participation in HPGE mentor days and workshops with students from other schools to collaborate and extend thinking
Use of student data and tracking systems: To ensure talent development is deliberate, monitored, and evaluated

Across NSW

All NSW public schools are expected to:

Implement a school-wide HPGE plan
Identify students with high potential early and systematically
Provide differentiated and challenging learning opportunities
Monitor student progress and adjust teaching practices accordingly
Engage families and carers as partners in student learning

The HPGE Policy acknowledges that high potential occurs across all communities and may be demonstrated in different ways. Schools are supported with resources, training, and guidance to ensure that identification and support are inclusive, responsive, and ongoing.