High potential and gifted education

At Burraneer Bay Public School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. Many students have high potential, and we help that potential to grow into something powerful.

• Teachers identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students.
• Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk taking, creativity and collaboration.
• Teachers provide differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking​.
• Students engage in strengths-based feedback and goal setting to build on their talents and extend their learning.

As every student is an individual, we offer opportunities that are flexible and diverse for students to explore and grow their stregnths outside the classroom.

• All students, including those identified as high potential and gifted, are encouraged to take on leadership roles such as Student Leaders, SRC representatives, Sports Leaders, Library Leaders, and Technology Leaders.
• Our Student Leadership Team takes on a vital role in the life of our school. They confidently run weekly and whole-school assemblies, welcome visitors and new families by leading school tours, and support our youngest learners during Kindergarten orientation. They also represent Burraneer Bay Public School in Community of Schools leadership initiatives, working collaboratively with student leaders from neighbouring schools to share ideas, plan events, and strengthen connections across our wider community. These opportunities help students build confidence, develop organisational and teamwork skills, and grow as responsible, inspiring leaders.
• Our House Captains and Vice Captains play an important role in promoting school spirit and teamwork. They help organise and run school carnivals and house competitions, encourage participation, act as positive role models for their peers by demonstrating sportsmanship and leadership, and engage with local schools in leadership initiatives to develop connections and share ideas beyond our school community.
• Our Technology Leaders support younger students as mentors, assisting in coding club and helping develop technology skills. They guide peers in activities such as LEGO Robotics, Minecraft for Education, and programming robots like Spheros and Dash, fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and digital creativity.
• Students develop confidence and communication skills through Debating, Public Speaking, and Critical Thinking workshops, learning to think analytically, build persuasive arguments, and speak with clarity and conviction.
• Students have many opportunities to express themselves through the Creative Arts. They participate in Visual Arts, Drama, and Dance showcases, perform in school musicals, and share their talents through guitar groups and choir. These programs celebrate creativity, build confidence, and give students the chance to perform for authentic audiences.
• Students develop strategic thinking, problem-solving, and concentration skills through participation in our Chess Club, enjoying competition against other schools and the opportunity to challenge themselves and their peers.
• Our school offers extension groups in Mathematics and Reading, providing students with opportunities to engage in challenging, enriched learning experiences. These groups allow students to deepen their understanding, develop higher-order thinking skills, and work collaboratively with peers across the school to extend their knowledge and reach their full potential.
• Our Early Morning Reading Initiative encourages students to start their day engaged with books, fostering a love of reading and building literacy skills. Stage 3 students mentor Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 learners, guiding them in developing their reading strengths, building confidence, and easing their transition into school. Through this mentoring, students read independently or collaboratively, developing comprehension, fluency, and a lifelong passion for learning.
• Our Peer Support program is a whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiative that fosters connection, empathy, and collaboration among students. Older students act as mentors, supporting younger peers through structured activities and guidance, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging within the school community.

Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide programs that aim to extend and enrich student potential.

• The Premier’s Debating Challenge, representing our school in state-wide competitions that develop critical thinking, persuasive communication, and teamwork skills.
• 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 events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
• Participation in state-wide dance ensembles develops our high potential and gifted extension dance students’ technical skills and performances.