High potential and gifted education

At Boolaroo Public School, we are proud to align our approach with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy, which recognises the diverse strengths and needs of gifted and high potential students.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment that challenges and extends all learners, ensuring they are motivated and empowered to reach their full potential. Our programs are designed to find the potential and develop the talent of every student, preparing our students for lifelong success and wellbeing.

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Our approach focuses on four key domains:

The domains of potential describe the four broad categories of natural abilities found in Françoys Gagné's adapted model of Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent DMGT 2.0 (2009). These definitions apply to all students, including high potential and gifted students.

The domains of potential may not be mutually exclusive and are highly influenced by one another.

Creative domain – refers to natural abilities in imagination, invention and originality.
Intellectual domain – refers to natural abilities in processing, understanding, reasoning, and the transfer of learning.
Physical domain – refers to natural abilities in muscular movement and motor control.
Social-emotional – refers to natural abilities in self-management and relating to and interacting with others.

Potential exists along a continuum, where differing degrees of potential require differing approaches and levels of adjustment and intervention.

At Boolaroo Public School, we are also proud to work collaboratively with our Lake Macquarie West Community of Schools; Lake Macquarie High School, Teralba, Booragul, Fassifern, Speers Point, and Fennell Bay Public Schools to provide students with a range of HPGE opportunities and extension experiences at the high school. These partnerships allow our students to connect, learn, and be challenged alongside peers from across the network, strengthening the continuum of learning from primary to high school.

Through this collaborative, student-centred approach, Boolaroo Public School continues to nurture the potential of every learner across the four HPGE domains.

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.

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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 classrooms

At Boolaroo Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is embedded in everyday learning. We recognise that many of our students demonstrate a range of talents, and we are committed to helping every child reach their full potential.

We work in partnership with parents to understand each child’s strengths and design learning experiences that nurture and extend their talents. Our teachers use explicit teaching, differentiation, open-ended questioning, and formative assessment to challenge and engage students across all learning areas.

Students may be identified as having high potential in the academic, creative, physical, or social-emotional domains. Flexible groupings, enrichment opportunities, leadership experiences, and targeted feedback ensure that every learner is supported and inspired to achieve personal excellence.

Our approach aligns with the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE Policy, fostering belonging, creativity, and achievement across all four domains of potential.

Across our school

At Boolaroo Public School, students have many opportunities to develop their talents and explore their interests beyond the classroom. We offer a variety of enrichment activities that encourage creativity, leadership, collaboration, and confidence.

Programs and clubs include:

Student Representative Council
Debating and public speaking
Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition
Code Club
Choir
Dance group
Ukulele club
Art club
Drumming
Playground leadership
Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics carnival with Argenton PS, Fassifern PS, and Awaba PS
Football gala days
Netball gala days
Todd Woodbridge Tennis Cup

These opportunities allow students to extend their learning, express themselves, and connect with others through shared passions and experiences.

Across NSW

Boolaroo Public School students also have opportunities to represent our school and showcase their talents through a range of regional and state programs. Participation in these activities encourages excellence, teamwork, and personal growth beyond the classroom.

Programs and competitions include:

PSSA sporting competitions and trials
Children’s University Newcastle
Hunter Dance Festival
NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee
NSW Premiers's Debating Challenge
NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge
NSW Premier's Multicultural Public Speaking Competition
Young Dobell Art Competition
Battle of the Brains competition

Through these experiences, our students connect with the wider community, challenge themselves in new settings, and celebrate their achievements alongside peers from across New South Wales.