High potential and gifted education (HPGE)

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

At Lake Illawarra South Public School, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

Our teachers inspire, encourage and develop potential within every learner. We see the promise in every student and help them flourish through dedicated guidance and support.

Tailored lessons

Recognising that every learner is unique, our teachers personalise lessons to stretch and inspire each student through meaningful challenges and engaging extension opportunities.

Rich opportunities and activities

Students can take part in opportunities to nurture and develop their talents. Whether their passion lies in the arts, sports or leadership, the school provides supportive programs to help build their skills and gain confidence.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Through access to a variety of local, regional and state-wide opportunities, our students are supported to extend their learning and realise their 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:

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

At Lake Illawarra South Public School, we are committed to recognising and nurturing the diverse potential of every student. High-quality, explicit, and differentiated teaching is at the core of our practice, ensuring that all learners are appropriately challenged and supported to achieve their personal best.

Through our HPGE framework, students are offered enriching learning experiences that foster growth across the intellectual, creative, physical, and social-emotional domains. In addition to classroom differentiation, a range of targeted programs and opportunities are provided each year. These vary according to student needs, interests, and identified areas of potential, ensuring that every learner has access to experiences that extend, engage, and inspire them.

Intellectual

In the classroom:

  • Challenging learning tasks
  • Inquiry projects
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Critical thinking activities.

Across our school:

  • Academic extension programs
  • Chess club.

Local, regional and state-wide:

  • Australian Problem Solving Maths Olympiad (APSMO)
  • International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
  • Premier's Spelling Bee
  • Premier's Debating Challenge
  • Premier's Reading Challenge
  • Illawarra Academy of STEM Excellence (IASE)
  • NSW Virtual STEM Academy.
Physical

In the classroom:

  • Sports skills programs
  • Outdoor learning opportunities.

Across our school:

  • Inter-class school sports program
  • Sport and Recreation Camps.

Local, regional and state-wide:

  • Gala days
  • Multi-class Sports Gala days
  • Representative sport
  • School Sports Knockout competitions
  • Premier's Sporting Challenge
  • Interschools Snowsports Championships.
Creative

In the classroom:

  • Comprehensive Creative Arts programs.

Across our school:

  • Drama club
  • Lego club
  • Private music tuition
  • STEM challenges
  • Coding and robotics programs.

Local, regional and state-wide:

  • Southern Stars Dance
  • Souther Stars Mass Choir
  • Operation Art
  • Wollongong Art Gallery Enrichment programs
  • Visual Art competitions.
Social-emotional

In the classroom:

  • Teamwork projects
  • Resilience building activities.

Across our school:

  • Leadership roles
  • Buddies program
  • Peer Support
  • Student Representative Council.

Local, regional and state-wide:

  • Minister's Student Council (DOVES) program
  • Creating Coaches Springboard program
  • Young Eyes Festival and Entrepruenership program.
Students have the opportunity to participate in academic competitions, such International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) and the Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO), to challenge their skills and extend their learning beyond the classroom.
Students can take part in the Premier’s Sporting Challenge, a statewide program that encourages physical activity, healthy habits and personal goal-setting.
Students regularly work with peers across the school, mentoring others and developing teamwork and communication skills.
Students have the opportunity to participate in engaging STEM incursions and excursions, exploring science, technology, engineering and maths through hands-on activities that spark curiosity and problem-solving skills.

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.

Contact us

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Student opportunities and activities

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Learning

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