High potential and gifted education

Our teachers are committed to identifying high potential in students by using objective, valid, and reliable measures as part of formative assessment to support and inform teaching and learning across the creative, intellectual, physical, and social–emotional domains.

Teachers actively assess and identify the specific learning needs of all high potential, gifted, and highly gifted students, ensuring that every student has access to tailored programs and support that meet their unique learning needs.

Our planning is shaped by the belief that teachers must hold high expectations for all students, recognising that every student requires differentiated and evidence-informed learning opportunities to optimise growth and achievement.

We collaborate with families, our school community, and the wider community, and engage in ongoing professional learning to build teacher capability and enhance growth and achievement for all high potential and gifted students. Through these actions, our teachers are dedicated to being the catalyst for high performance and talent development for every student.

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 Rockdale Public School, teachers design differentiated learning experiences that extend and challenge all learners. Students engage in advanced problem-solving tasks, inquiry-based projects, and open-ended investigations that promote higher-order thinking and creativity. Within literacy and numeracy, students participate in enrichment tasks such as Maths Olympiad, Number Talks, and creative writing workshops, which extend their reasoning, fluency and abstract thinking. Flexible grouping, formative assessment, and targeted feedback enable each student—especially those identified as high potential or gifted—to work towards personalised goals. Our classrooms nurture curiosity, confidence, and perseverance through authentic, strengths-based learning experiences.

Across our school

Rockdale Public School offers a wide range of enrichment opportunities that allow students to explore and develop their talents beyond the classroom. Students take part in programs such as debating, STEM and coding clubs, school band, drama and visual arts showcases, and sport PSSA, which promote creative expression, leadership, and teamwork. The Student Representative Council (SRC) provides authentic opportunities for student voice and leadership, while initiatives such as peer mentoring, school musical performances, and lunchtime clubs support collaboration and connection across stages. Through these programs, Rockdale Public School cultivates a culture of excellence where every student is known, valued, and supported to thrive.

Across NSW

Our students proudly represent Rockdale Public School in a range of state and regional programs that extend their talents and celebrate excellence. Participation in the Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Debating Challenge, and Premier’s Sporting Challenge encourages students to apply their skills in real-world, competitive settings. Selected students also take part in STEM enrichment workshops and performing arts events, such as SPAF and School Spectacular deepening their critical thinking, innovation and creativity. These experiences connect Rockdale students with like-minded peers across NSW, empowering them to embrace challenge, showcase their abilities, and exemplify the Department of Education’s vision that every student is engaged, learning and achieving their personal best.

Music ensembles

Sporting Opportunities

Academic excellence

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.

background

light

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