High potential and gifted education

At Arcadia Public School, we understand that every student learns at their own pace and shines in different areas. Some students may progress quickly across various domains—whether that's academic subjects like English, mathematics, science, history, or geography; physical activities such as sport or dance; creative pursuits including visual arts, music, or drama; or social-emotional skills like leadership, empathy, and initiative within the school community.

We are committed to recognising and nurturing these strengths early. Through targeted classroom activities and a proactive approach, we create opportunities for advanced learners while ensuring all children’s unique talents are supported and celebrated. Our goal is to help every student grow confidently and reach their full 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:

Using effective teaching strategies (https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/high-potential-and-gifted-education/supporting-educators/implement) such as enrichment, extension and acceleration to challenge and engage learners

Providing tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire each student

Offering access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school, to nurture and develop their talents.

Our high potential and gifted education offerings (2026)

Our students experience High Potential and Gifted Education not only in the classroom but also throughout our school community, within our local area and across New South Wales.

We do this by:

Our approach focuses on four key domains:

Intellectual Domain - challenges a child’s natural ability to think, understand, reason and apply what they have learned in new situations.
Physical Domain - recognises the importance of physical development, supporting natural abilities in muscle coordination, movement and motor skills through targeted activities and sports.
Creative Domain - provides opportunities for students to develop their natural talents in innovative thinking and artistic expression, encouraging originality and problem-solving through diverse creative activities.
Social-Emotional Domain - prioritises the emotional wellbeing and social development of gifted students by enhancing natural abilities in managing emotions, building relationships, and interacting positively with others.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

Our teachers identify potential and nurture every student to reach their best.

Tailored lessons

With small class sizes and personalised learning, teachers provide extra challenges and extension activities to keep learning engaging for all ability levels.

Rich opportunities and activities

Our students participate in diverse state-wide and local programs designed to extend and enrich their potential.

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.

In our classroom

Personalised learning
Extension Groups
HPGE Opportunities

Across our school

Student Leadership Pathways
House Sports Captains
Debating
School Carnivals
School Sport
Gala Days
Dance Troupe
Wellbeing Groups

Across NSW

ICAS Assessments
Writing Competitions
Reading Challenges
Mathematics Challenges
Spelling Bees
NSW Premier’s Debating challenge
PSSA Representation
PSSA Zone Pathways
PSSA Team Pathways
NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge

Personalised learning happens in every classroom. Our small class sizes allow teachers to deeply understand and challenge high potential learners, providing tailored learning opportunities that stretch their thinking and foster their academic growth, while celebrating their achievements along the way.

Targeted Sporting Pathways students who meet qualifying criteria, such as placing in finals or achieving required standards, may be invited to represent Arcadia Public School at the Beecroft Zone, Sydney North, and NSW levels in swimming, athletics, and cross country. These pathways provide high potential physical learners with challenging opportunities to compete, excel, and develop their athletic talents beyond the school community.

Extension Groups selected students in Years 4 to 6 engage in targeted groups designed to extend and challenge their skills in either English (reading) and / or Mathematics. These groups offer high potential learners focused opportunities to deepen their understanding and accelerate their academic growth in a supportive setting.

Help for your high potential child

If your child shows signs of high potential, contact us. We can guide their learning journey with tailored support through our HPGE program.

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Student opportunities and activities

Discover the opportunities our students have at our school.

Learning

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