High potential and gifted education
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.
Sefton High School values the importance of High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) and ensures that programs and lessons are adjusted to maximise the talents of our students across a range of fields.
Staff meet three times a term as part of Professional Learning Community (PLC) groups to ensure that the key principles of HPGE policy are adopted to meet the needs of our student body across four key learning domains; whether that is creative, intellectual, physical or socio-emotional. Our staff value the importance of creating appropriate learning environments and making deliberate adjustments to content to ensure that our students can achieve their potential across a range of pursuits.
The success of our approach to HPGE policy can be demonstrated through our achievements across a wide range at Fort Street High School including:
- Student Leaders through SRC opportunities for every students at every grade.
- Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh program
- Students representing Schools in Zone, Regional and State Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals
- Sports teams in Volleyball, Basketball and Netball,
- Mentoring
- Opportunities for students to participate in competitions such as Tournament of the Minds, Science, History, Geography and Maths Competitions
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.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
- We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at our school.
- Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
- Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.
- Groups are flexible for collaboration and presentation, students take lead roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and self-assessment.
- Students learn from tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects.
- When evidence shows a need for more, students are extended and have the opportunity to access advanced pathways.
- We measure impact, not anecdotes, through student work, reflections and progress checks.
Our school offers a range of whole-school programs that support student growth.
- All our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through student representative council leadership, mentoring programs and peer coaching and leadership of major events including ANZAC and Remembrance Day assemblies.
- Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted enrichment, extension and extra-curricular opportunities such as debating, competitions, critical thinking workshops, and STEM and coding clubs.
- All our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through student representative council leadership, mentoring programs and peer coaching.
- Student talent is celebrated and extended through school musicals, drama groups, visual arts showcases, music ensembles and creative writing groups.
- Our students can take part in inter school sports compeitions, carnivals, house competitions and gala days.
- Premier’s Debating Challenge and creative writing competitions sharpen voice and argument.
- Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.
- We provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents.
- Sefton High School continues to prioritise sporting participation in a multitude of competitions including gala days, selection through to zone, regional and state carnivals.
- Sefton students participate in ICAS English, Mathematics and Science, NSW Geography and History Competitions.
- Students reflect and share their learning, so experiences build knowledge and character, contributing to the identity of themselves and their 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