High potential and gifted education

At Orange East Public School, we recognise that every student has unique strengths and abilities. Our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) approach is woven into everyday learning, ensuring all students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.

Students are identified as having strengths across one or more domains:

Intellectual (cognitive thinking and reasoning)
Creative (original thinking and expression)
Physical (sporting and movement abilities)
Social-Emotional (leadership, empathy, and interpersonal skills

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.

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

Our school is committed to nurturing every student’s potential through a range of engaging and challenging learning opportunities. Within classrooms, differentiated and flexible grouping ensures that teaching is tailored to meet individual needs. Students are encouraged to explore enrichment and extension tasks that promote curiosity and deep thinking, while acceleration options are available where appropriate to provide the right level of challenge. Leadership opportunities and collaborative projects help build confidence and teamwork skills, and our approach to feedback focuses on recognising strengths, fostering growth, and supporting meaningful goal setting.

Across our school

Students who demonstrate particular strengths may be invited to participate in specialised High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) groups, teams, or programs designed to extend their learning beyond the classroom. These opportunities encourage students to think critically, solve complex problems, and engage in creative and independent learning experiences. Through enrichment groups and collaborative projects, students are able to connect with like-minded peers, explore areas of personal interest, and build confidence in their abilities. By fostering curiosity and a love of learning, these programs help students further develop their unique talents and reach their full potential.

Across NSW

Our students are encouraged to engage in a range of Premier’s and PSSA programs that promote excellence, teamwork, and personal growth. The Premier’s Spelling Bee enhances vocabulary development and attention to detail through friendly competition, while the Premier’s Debating Challenge builds students’ skills in logical reasoning, persuasive communication, and public speaking. The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) inspires whole-school participation in physical activity, offering leadership pathways and professional learning opportunities for students and staff. In addition, PSSA sporting events provide students with the chance to trial and compete at regional, state, and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment, and collaboration both on and off the field.