High potential and gifted education

At Rathmines Public School, our teachers are committed to recognising high potential early and responding thoughtfully to the individual strengths of every learner. Through strong relationships and deep knowledge of our students, teachers use a range of evidence, including formative assessment and classroom observations, to identify potential across the creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional domains.

We understand that high potential looks different for every student. Our teachers actively identify learning needs and plan differentiated, evidence-informed learning experiences that provide appropriate challenge, enrichment and extension. High expectations underpin all teaching and learning, ensuring students are supported to grow, take risks and achieve at high levels.

Our approach is collaborative and inclusive. We work in partnership with families, draw on school-wide expertise and engage in ongoing professional learning to strengthen teacher practice. Through high-quality classroom teaching and access to targeted opportunities, our teachers play a key role in developing talent, confidence and achievement, helping every high potential and gifted student at Rathmines Public School reach their full potential.

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 Rathmines Public School, high potential and gifted education is embedded in everyday teaching and learning. Our teachers know their students well and use evidence-informed practices to identify strengths and learning needs across the creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional domains.

Learning experiences are differentiated to adjust pace, complexity and depth, with a strong focus on higher-order thinking. Teachers use formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning, providing enrichment, extension and, where appropriate, acceleration. Students engage in inquiry-based learning, abstraction and curriculum depth, supported by explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.

In PDHPE, differentiated movement tasks, skill refinement and targeted learning goals support students with strengths in coordination, agility and motor control. Across all learning areas, strengths-based feedback, goal setting, structured peer collaboration and reflection are key features of classroom practice.

Our classrooms are safe, supportive environments that promote belonging and encourage confidence, creativity, risk-taking and perseverance. Teachers engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure consistent, high-quality support for high potential and gifted learners.

Across our school

Rathmines Public School provides flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and develop their talents beyond the classroom. Information and Communication Technology is embedded across the school, supported by interactive whiteboards, class sets of laptops and a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program for Years 3–6.

Students can extend their strengths through programs such as Debating and Public Speaking, the Premier’s Reading and Spelling Challenge, APSMO competitions, Battle of the Brains, dance groups from Years 2–6, school bands, aerobics teams and creative performance opportunities including school concerts, open days and participation in Star Struck.

Physical talent is supported through school representative teams and PSSA competitions across a wide range of sports, as well as swimming programs, athletics, cross country and coaching opportunities. Leadership skills are developed through school leadership programs, mentoring opportunities and student voice initiatives.

Experiential learning is enriched through major Stage 3 excursions, Outdoor Education programs and Environmental Education initiatives, including Garden Club.

Across NSW

Our students participate in a range of NSW Department of Education programs and statewide opportunities that extend and enrich student potential.

These include the Premier’s Spelling Bee, which supports vocabulary development and precision, and the Premier’s Debating Challenge, which builds logical reasoning and confidence in public speaking. Students may also take part in the Schools Spectacular, celebrating creativity and performance across NSW public schools.

The Representative School Sport Pathway, including PSSA and CHSSA events, enables students to trial and compete at regional, state and national levels, fostering commitment, discipline and teamwork. Mentoring programs, including connections with trusted adults and school alumni, further support students’ confidence, motivation and interpersonal skills.