High potential and gifted education

At Fern Bay Public School, high potential and gifted education (HPGE) is a core part of our daily teaching and learning. We recognise that many students demonstrate advanced abilities, and we are committed to nurturing these talents so they can develop into meaningful and lifelong achievements.

Teachers identify individual learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-based strategies to extend and challenge students at their point of readiness. A range of learning pathways are available, including enrichment opportunities and extension activities. Students may be identified by teachers, with input from families encouraged, as having high potential or giftedness in the cognitive, creative, physical or social-emotional domains. This information is shared across the school to ensure consistent support for every learner.

We provide supportive and inclusive learning environments that build a sense of belonging and encourage creativity, collaboration and positive risk-taking. Students with advanced cognitive abilities receive targeted learning experiences designed to provide appropriate challenge, including open-ended tasks and enrichment programs.

Flexible grouping, leadership opportunities, strength-based feedback, clear learning goals and self-assessment are key features of our whole-school approach.

Our practices reflect the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE policy, which focuses on supporting high potential and gifted students across four domains:

• Creative: Developing original thinking, innovation, problem-solving and artistic expression.
• Intellectual: Providing challenging learning experiences that promote deep thinking, advanced reasoning and high-level inquiry.
• Physical: Supporting physical development, coordination, health and wellbeing through a wide range of activities.
• Social-emotional: Building positive relationships, resilience, self-awareness and emotional wellbeing.

Fern Bay Public School is committed to recognising and developing every student’s strengths. By supporting the whole child across these four domains, we ensure all learners are empowered to thrive and succeed.

At Fern Bay Public School, we provide a wide range of programs to support and enrich High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) students within our school and the wider community. Our initiatives are designed to nurture talents across multiple domains and create pathways for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

Students have creative arts opportunities include choir, drumming and guitar groups, along with combined schools performances that allow students to collaborate and showcase their talents. We also offer representative sports pathways and school sporting teams to encourage physical development, teamwork and resilience.

Leadership skills are fostered through the Student Representative Council and the Junior AECG. Communication and critical thinking are enhanced through Public Speaking and Debating programs, and students are encouraged to participate in a range of academic competitions that extend their intellectual growth.

At Fern Bay Public School, we are committed to offering rich and varied HPGE experiences that empower high potential and gifted learners to thrive across all areas of their development, both within our school and in the broader community.