High potential and gifted education

Some students learn faster and more easily than others. Research tells us that capable students can benefit greatly from working with others of similar ability. Not only do students have the opportunity to work with students of similar ability, they also enjoy challenging and more complex work. Teachers have developed programs that incorporate both accelerated and enriched learning.

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.

At Holsworthy High School, we are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students across the creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional domains by providing opportunities in the classroom, across the school and beyond school.

In our classroom

At Holsworthy High School, we recognise that every student is unique. Students are supported in the classroom through:

differentiated learning that adjusts pace, complexity, and higher-order thinking so every student can thrive;
explicit teaching that extends critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to support student inquiry;
supportive classrooms that foster belonging while encouraging creativity, collaboration and positive risk-taking through authentic, choice-driven tasks;
professional learning for staff to build capacity in addressing the diverse learning needs of all students, using strengths-based feedback and student goal setting.

Across our school

Holsworthy High School is a place of diversity and opportunity, where every learner belongs. Our School:

celebrates student talent and extends this through the school showcase, drama groups, visual arts competitions, dance groups and music ensembles;
identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted enrichment, extension and extra-curricular opportunities such as debating, competitions, STEM and coding community partnerships (e.g. UTS Apple Foundation program, SheHacks and UTS Women in Technology program);
offers opportunities to take part in coaching sessions, The Challenge Cup, House Competitions and Physical Education Programs including Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals;
encourages students to take on leadership roles through Student Representative Council, Senior Leadership Group, mentoring programs and peer coaching.

Across NSW

At Holsworthy High School, we provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents, including:

The Representative School Sport Pathway and Combined High Schools Sports Association events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration;
The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking;
STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration;
The Game Changer Challenge empowering our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking;
The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools;
Mentoring Programs connect our students with trusted adults including school alumni to build confidence, motivation, and interpersonal skills;
Participation in local, state and national volunteering and charity events (e.g. The Salvation Army Winter and Christmas Appeal, Black Opal Volunteering, Kokoda Challenge, Clean Up Australia day, It’s in the Bag campaign).