High potential and gifted education (HPGE) at Eleebana Public School
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
At Eleebana Public School, we recognise that every student has unique talents and strengths. Our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) approach supports students who demonstrate high potential across one or more of the four domains – Intellectual, Creative, Social-Emotional, and Physical – and ensures they are appropriately challenged, extended and supported to thrive.
Our Commitment
We are committed to providing opportunities that nurture the potential of every student through inclusive, challenging, and engaging learning experiences. Our approach aligns with the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE Policy and focuses on identification, differentiation, and enrichment within and beyond the classroom.
Domains of High Potential at EPS
Students at Eleebana are encouraged to express their creativity through a range of artistic, performance and design experiences. Opportunities include:
Bands (Senior, Training, String, Rock); Choir and Choralfest participation; Starstruck and School Concert; Drama Groups, Drama Games and Drama Club; Art Club, Story Book Art, DET Arts Exhibition; Cultural Diversity Competitions and Drawing Us Together; Minecraft and LEGO Clubs.
We provide high-quality sporting programs and pathways that challenge and inspire students with physical talent. Opportunities include:
School Carnivals (Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country); Knockout competitions; Representative Sport Pathways; Macquarie Cup; Friday Sport; Class and Stage Sport Programs; Sporting Schools initiatives; Quality coaching; Soccer Skills Coaching; Dance programs; Brain Breaks and active learning.
Students demonstrating advanced intellectual ability are supported through differentiated classroom practice and enrichment programs. Opportunities include:
Differentiation and extension; ICAS; Chess Club; Public Speaking; Debating; Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition; Maths Games; STEM; Minecraft Education; Maths Online; and Critical and Creative Thinking tasks embedded in classroom learning.
We nurture leadership, collaboration, and wellbeing to help students build confidence and purpose as active members of the school community. Opportunities include:
Leadership roles (Year 6 School Leaders, Year 5 Buddies, Band Captains, Sports Captains, Junior AECG); SRC; Peer Support; Lunch Clubs; Public Speaking; Debating; Fundraising; Ethics Olympiad; Green Team; Calm Space Leaders; Riding the Waves; and Leadership Days focused on personal growth.
Identification and Support
Students are identified through teacher observation, assessment data, and collaboration with parents and students. Each identified student completes an HPGE Student Profile through School Bytes to plan individual extension and enrichment goals.
Working Together
We value the input of students, parents and carers in recognising and developing student potential. Together we celebrate growth, creativity, and achievement across all areas of learning.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities at Eleebana Public School
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
High potential and gifted students are supported every day through high-quality teaching and learning practices, including:
- Differentiated and extension learning tasks
- Explicit teaching with opportunities for deep thinking and challenge
- Critical and creative thinking embedded across curriculum areas
- Enrichment in mathematics, literacy and STEM
- Use of assessment data to plan targeted extension
- Opportunities such as ICAS, mathematics competitions, chess and public speaking
Students are encouraged to develop their talents and interests through a wide range of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities, including:
Creative and performing arts
- Senior Band, Training Band, String Ensemble, and an extensive Band Program
- Choir and Choralfest
- Starstruck participation and school concerts
- Hunter dance and Hunter Drama Festivals
- Drama groups, clubs and performance opportunities
- Art Club, exhibitions and creative competitions
Leadership and social-emotional development
- Year 6 leadership roles
- Year 2-6 Student Representative Council
- Peer Support and buddy programs
- Debating and Public Speaking
- Student leadership days and wellbeing programs
- Calm Spaces and Lunchtime Clubs
- Green Team and student environmental initiatives
Sport and physical development
- Swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals
- Local and PSSA tams in a wide variety of sports
- Representative sport pathways
- Quality coaching programs and Sporting Schools
- Friday sport and stage-based programs
Where appropriate, students are supported to access opportunities beyond our school, including:
- Representative sport at zone, regional and state levels
- State-based creative arts and performance opportunities
- External competitions, exhibitions and enrichment programs
- Connections with broader community and Department initiatives
Further Information
For more details about the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE Policy,
visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/high-potential-and-gifted-education
For school-specific enquiries, please contact Eleebana Public School’s HPGE Coordinator or school executive.
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.
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.
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.