High potential and gifted education

At Peak Hill Central School, we work closely with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy to make sure every child is supported, challenged and encouraged to reach their best. We value the unique strengths of each student and aim to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment where all children feel recognised and supported.

We focus on developing the whole child through four important areas:

Creative: Encouraging creativity and imagination through engaging and varied learning experiences.
Intellectual: Providing meaningful and challenging learning opportunities that help students think deeply and grow academically.
Physical: Supporting students’ physical wellbeing through active learning and sport.
Social and Emotional: Nurturing wellbeing, resilience and positive relationships so students feel confident and supported.

By working closely with families, we ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive — both at school and beyond.

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

At Peak Hill Central School, we:

Are committed to recognising and supporting high potential and gifted students so every child has the chance to succeed and grow
Create supportive classroom environments where students feel they belong and are encouraged to be creative, work together, take positive risks and develop leadership skills
Continue to build our teachers’ knowledge through ongoing professional learning so we can meet the needs of all learners, including high potential and gifted students
Offer learning tasks that are adjusted to suit different abilities, learning speeds and levels of challenge
Use a range of assessments to track each child’s progress and better understand their learning needs, helping teachers plan lessons that extend and challenge every student

Across our school

At Peak Hill Central School:

Students are encouraged to share their talents through activities such as STEM experiences, the agricultural show team, activate interest based sessions, cultural groups and a vast range of electives
A variety of sporting opportunities are available, including PSSA teams, coaching sessions, knockout competitions, and weekly Physical Education lessons designed to suit different abilities
Curiosity and creativity are supported through dance programs and opportunities, visual arts showcases, choir and eisteddfod performances
Students have the opportunity to take part in STEM engagement opportunities, academic competitions and peer mentoring
Our whole school participates in wellbeing programs and special days that promote inclusion, awareness and positive mental health
Leadership skills are developed through roles such as involvement in the the SRC and leading sporting teams
Career and pathway opportunities connect our students with trusted adults and industries to build confidence, motivation, skills and knowledge.

Across NSW

At Peak Hill Central School, students are supported to participate in various state programs:

The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.