High potential and gifted education
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
At our school we recognise and nurture these strengths early. Through engaging lessons, weekly enrichment groups and a wide range of activities, we support advanced learners to grow, connect and thrive.
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.
At Forest Lodge Public School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students from Kindergarten to Year 6, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in their learning.
Students may engage in:
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
- Learning experiences that promote creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking through authentic, cross-curricular projects.
- Supportive and safe environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking and perseverance.
- Opportunities for exploration, self-assessment and leadership within the classroom.
- Feedback and reflection that build on strengths, set clear goals and celebrate progress.
At Forest Lodge Public School, every student is unique, so opportunities are flexible and diverse.
Students engage in:
- Weekly Enrichment Groups (LEAPers), where students explore interests across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains.
- Student leadership opportunities through the SRC and school leadership roles.
- Sporting carnivals and events that encourage participation, teamwork and pathways to regional representation.
- A vibrant music and performing arts program, including choirs, bands, recorder groups and string ensembles.
- After-school programs in coding, languages, chess, karate, dance, visual arts and writing.
- Competitions in debating and public speaking.
- Enrichment opportunities across all four domains, such as our K-2 Acknowledgement of Country student collaboration project.
Our students also take part in opportunities that extend beyond our school, connecting them with regional and state-wide programs.
Students may engage in:
- Academic competitions such as the Premier’s Spelling Bee
- Creative and performing arts events including the Festival of Instrumental Music, the Cantabile Festival at the Sydney Opera House and the School Spectacular
- Regional and state sporting pathways through cross country, athletics carnivals and other representative events
- Enrichment experiences in areas such as creative writing and the arts
- Collaborative opportunities with other schools, such as Stage 3 students working with RPA Hospital School on a Film By entry that transformed poems into a short film about belonging
Our LEAPers program aligns with the High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy, focusing on student development across four key domains:
Intellectual: Challenging minds with problem-solving, STEM activities and introducing new languages.
Creative: Nurturing imagination through visual arts, drama and innovative projects.
Social-Emotional: Developing confident leadership, encouraging ethical discussions and enhancing critical thinking.
Physical: Inspiring active learning through dance, sport, movement-based exploration and outdoor challenges.
Empowering Choice and Discovery
Student choice is a fundamental aspect of LEAPers. Our students participate in a LEAPers Group they choose, diving into an area that excites and inspires them. By selecting an area they are passionate about, students are empowered to direct their learning and discover new talents. These groups offer a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with peers from different year levels.
We believe that through LEAPers, every student has the opportunity to flourish, expanding their horizons and developing the skills and mindset of a lifelong, curious learner.
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.
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