High potential and gifted education (HPGE)

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. Our teaching practices are grounded in evidence and continuously enhanced through professional learning and collaboration. High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is embedded in everyday classroom practice, challenging students to think critically, create, lead, and grow.

Our framework concentrates in four essential domains - creative, intellectual, physical and social emotional. We are committed to delivering the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE policy through a holistic, learner-focused approach that supports and develops the unique potential of each student across these four key domains.

St Marys North PS offers students an innovative music program that has been developed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Our school is the only public school in NSW that delivers the ACO Foundations program. Every student in Years 1-3 engages with daily lessons in the violin or the cello. At the completion of the program in Year 3, students may elect to participate in the Super Strings Ensemble until the completion of Year 6.

Click here to find out more information about our ACO Foundations program.

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 St Marys North Public School, we are dedicated to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students by creating differentiated classroom learning programs and supportive environments that enable every learner to thrive.

Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher order thinking.
Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning.
Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
Opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth.
Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation.
Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE.
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

Our school recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.

ACO Foundations string program - Years 1-3
Super Strings ensemble - Years 4-6
Dharug Language program
Debating
Public Speaking
Spelling Bee
Environmental Kitchen Garden program
Student Leadership (SRC)
Gymnastics
Cultural dance groups
Sport Carnivals
Sporting Gala Days
Dance groups
Choir
Wellbeing Programs
Gardening Club
Technology Club
Excursions
Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives

Across NSW

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

The Australian Chamber Orchestra Foundations program provides opportunities for our students to perform with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra throughout the year.
Greater Western Sydney String Ensemble provides opportunities for our talented violinists and cellists in Years 4-6 to participate in a string ensemble with students in Years 4-12 from public schools across Greater Western Sydney.
The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
The Synergy Dance Festival celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students across NSW public schools.
Sydney West Representative carnivals foster dedication, teamwork and sporting excellence.