High potential and gifted education

At Cooma North Public School, we are dedicated to nurturing the strengths of our high potential and gifted students through a comprehensive HPGE framework. By providing personalised programs and differentiated learning opportunities, we aim to create an inclusive environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment that challenges and extends all learners, ensuring they are engaged, motivated, and able to reach their full potential. Our programs are designed to identify and nurture giftedness across multiple domains, reflecting the Department’s emphasis on catering to the whole child. We recognise that high potential and giftedness can manifest in various ways and support our students across the four domains:

Academic: We provide challenging curriculum options and support for students excelling in subjects such as mathematics and science.
Creative: Our arts programs encourage creative expression through visual arts, music, dance, and drama, nurturing students’ imaginative capabilities.
Social/Emotional: Leadership and teamwork are fostered through group projects and community initiatives, helping students develop essential social skills.
Physical: We promote physical giftedness through sports programs and physical education opportunities, encouraging students to excel in athletic pursuits and develop their physical skills.

Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.

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 Cooma North Public School, we are committed to providing tailored educational experiences for our High Potential and Gifted learners. Our approach to differentiated learning ensures that each gifted learner’s unique needs are met. This may include:

Flexible Groupings – where students work in diverse groups based on their interests and readiness levels, promoting collaboration and peer learning.

Differentiated tasks provided in each lesson to cater to varying levels of complexity and challenge for enrichment.

Utilising a variety of assessment techniques to understand each student’s strengths and areas for growth, ensuring tailored feedback that fosters further development.

Learning plans are developed for all students outlining their personal goals and learning strategies, providing a roadmap for their educational journey.

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.

Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners

Across our school

Cooma North Public School recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths. We are committed to providing a comprehensive and inclusive approach to HPGE. Students can take part in a wide range of programs, clubs and opportunities, including:

Public speaking, debating and leadership roles (Student Leadership programs, EarlyAct Club – Primary Rotary Club, Rostrum Public Speaking, Interschools Debating Challenge)

Creative and Performing Arts, including dance, drama, music and visual arts events (Snowy Mountains Performing Arts Festival, Wakakirri Dance Story and a Visual Arts Showcase- ARTrageous)

Clubs including Environmentors, STEM, Robotics, Chess and Choir

Wellbeing Programs – Grow Your Mind, Project SKIP

Curriculum aligned excursions, camps and incursions

Sporting teams, gala days and representative pathways (PSSA Competitions and Knockouts), Special programs – aquatics, Snowsports and Interschool Skiing competition

STEM and coding experiences in science and technology ( Robotics and STEM Clubs, STEM Industry Partnerships and the Virtual STEM Academy)

Competitions and enrichment workshops across the network and state

Aboriginal Cultural Group

Writing and Art Competitions

We work closely with families to nurture each child’s strengths, interests and wellbeing. Our focus is on helping children grow, feel proud of who they are, and become confident learners who are excited to take on new challenges. Our curriculum has been designed to explore our local context and allow our students to connect with industries, people and places of significance that exist in our community.

Please note: Some of these programs run daily or weekly, whilst others may be over a term. Some programs will be when the opportunity arises, and others may be held one year and not the following, due to student interest, staffing, or changes in school direction.

Across NSW

Cooma North Public School actively participates in state-wide competitions and activities, providing our students with valuable opportunities to challenge themselves, and perform at their best. Through this collaborative and enriched approach, we ensure all students’ unique talents are recognised, developed, and celebrated. These opportunities include: