High potential and gifted education
Killara Public School is deeply committed to identifying and nurturing the strengths and talents of high-potential and high-achieving students from the early years of their learning journey. We recognise that high potential can look different for every child and may emerge over time, which is why our approach is inclusive, responsive and grounded in knowing our students well.
Our teaching and learning practices, enriched experiences and targeted extension opportunities align with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy and its focus on empowering every student to reach their full potential.
Across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains, advanced learners are mentored and encouraged to challenge themselves in meaningful ways, deepen their thinking and take pride in their growth. Through high-expectations teaching, explicit instruction, carefully sequenced learning and ongoing formative assessment, students are supported to thrive as confident, capable learners
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 programs in the arts, sport, leadership and more.
Opening doors to wider experiences
Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide programs 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.
High potential students are those whose potential exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains. Their potential may be assessed as beyond the average range across any domain. They may benefit from an enriched or extended curriculum and learning opportunities beyond the typical level of students the same age and stage of development.
Gifted students’ potential significantly exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains. Research estimates 10% of students may be considered gifted. These students typically develop talent and achieve mastery notably faster than their age peers. Students who are classified as gifted, seek further opportunities as an individual, and are successful at and beyond a state-wide level.
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.
Learn more about HPGE at High potential and gifted education
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
At Killara Public School we aim to enrich and extend all our students lives in a climate of possibility through learning in every class and providing opportunities for our HPGE students. We strive to make every class an opportunity to enrich student learning. These opportunities include:
We aim to provide a dynamic and supportive learning environment where gifted learners can thrive:
- Emphasis on problem- based learning in the Sciences and Mathematics
- Flexible grouping and structured peer collaboration opportunities that encourage students to build communication skills, generate ideas, gain a deeper understanding and present learning in different ways
- Ongoing formative assessment to monitor growth and adjust learning strategies
- Safe learning environments that promote confidence, risk-taking and perseverance
- Differentiated advanced learning pathways like accelerated mathematics programs that occur within lessons where appropriate.
- Explicit and visible learning intentions and success criteria that guide students to explore, reflect and self-assess
- Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies that support students to reason, question and justify their thinking
- Excursions to support learning in all areas
- Deep learning in subject areas to encourage motivation and interest
Teachers work collaboratively across stages to ensure student strengths are recognised, shared and supported as students progress through their schooling. Beyond the classroom, we offer a range of programs to further challenge and develop gifted learners:
- Enrichment Program in English, Mathematics & Science K-6
- Public speaking and debating opportunities and competitions
- Participation in academic competitions such as the Maths Olympiad
- Creative writing opportunities, including the Write On competition for talented writers
- Sports teams, including PSSA Sport and house competitions
- Dance group
- Wellbeing Program: URSTRONG
- Peer mentoring through buddy classes
- Student leadership opportunities through the Student Representative Council (SRC) for Years 2-6
- Music ensembles: Junior Bands, Strings, and Senior Bands
- Extracurricular activities such as Drama, Dance, Art, Chess, and Coding
- Teaching of STEM by a specialist teacher to include robotics and coding
- School Choir
- Register of HPGE students, tracking their progress and individual learning programs where appropriate
- A dedicated music program for all students K-6
- Teachers have engaged in professional learning with the new HPGE policy and are constantly updating their teaching and learning skills through the Department of Education’s curriculum reform
Gifted learners at Killara Public School also have access to advanced opportunities beyond the school level:
- Premier’s Debating Challenge
- Pulse Alive and Ryde School Performing Arts Festival and other major performance events
- Participation in State Music Ensembles (e.g., State Wind Orchestra, State Choirs)
- Premier’s Sporting Challenge and Representative School Sport Pathways (PSSA/CHSSA)
- Sydney North Public Schools Dance Festival
- Operation Art Competition and other regional art festivals
Lunch time clubs:
We offer a range of lunch time clubs to students from K-6.
- Gardening Club
- Board Games
- Chess
- Sustainability
- Playground Games
- Lego
- Choir
- Dance
- STEM
Music ensembles:
- Choir
- Junior Band
- Senior Band
- Strings Ensemble
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 clubs, sports and other opportunities our students have beyond the classroom.
Learning
Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.