High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

At Leonay Public School, we recognise that high potential exists in many forms across all learners. Our approach to HPGE is embedded in everyday teaching and learning, guided by a strong focus on formative assessment, evidence-based practices, and effective differentiation to meet the unique needs of every student.

Formative Assessment Tools
Teachers consistently use diagnostic assessments, observation checklists, and student self-assessments to identify strengths and areas for development across various domains. This timely data guides lesson planning and differentiation, supporting ongoing student growth and engagement.

Differentiated Learning Tasks and Flexible Grouping
Learning activities are crafted with varying levels of complexity, allowing students to work independently, in pairs, or in flexible groups based on their interests or abilities. This approach ensures appropriate challenge, while promoting collaboration, leadership, motivation, and social skills.

High Expectations Within Lesson Planning
Teachers communicate clear, high expectations by designing learning objectives that encourage higher-order thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Students are motivated to set personal goals and reflect on their progress, fostering a growth mindset, resilience, and self-confidence, which contributes to deeper learning and higher achievement.

Across our school

At Leonay Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education forms a vital part of our core business. We recognise and nurture the unique talents of every student by providing flexible, diverse, and enriching opportunities that support growth across academic, creative, social, and physical domains.

Here are some of the opportunities available to support the talent development of students at Leonay Public School:

Enrichment Programs

The HPGE (High Potential and Gifted) Enrichment Programs in Mathematics within the Nepean Learning Community are designed to challenge and extend students who demonstrate high potential and giftedness in mathematics. These programs aim to provide enriched learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum, fostering advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical reasoning skills.

Student Leadership and Voice
Students assume leadership roles in projects, discussions, and school initiatives aligned with their interests. They actively participate in goal-setting and self-assessment processes, which nurtures ownership, motivation, and leadership abilities.

Ongoing Professional Learning and Collaboration
Our teachers regularly participate in professional development focused on HPGE strategies and collaborate to share best practices and create differentiated curriculum units. This collective effort enhances instructional quality and consistency, ensuring all students benefit from effective talent development.

Outdoor Learning, Connection to Nature and Leadership
We provide regular opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom through gardening, bushwalks, and environmental monitoring activities. This hands-on approach deepens their appreciation of the natural world and fosters a sense of responsibility. Additionally, students take on leadership roles within these activities, such as organising group tasks, guiding peers during excursions, and leading sustainability projects, which helps develop their confidence, communication, and teamwork skills and engagement with the community.

Skill Development and Coaching
Students with advanced sporting abilities receive targeted coaching and opportunities to refine their skills, encouraging personal bests and higher achievement.

Competitive Sporting Opportunities
We encourage and support students to participate in representative sports, including PSSA (Primary Schools Sports Association) teams, providing pathways for talented athletes to compete at higher levels.

Sports Leadership and Teamwork
Sporting programs promote leadership development by giving students roles such as team captains, house captains or peer coaches, fostering responsibility, communication skills, and confidence.

Across NSW

We actively participate in statewide competitions and activities, providing our students with valuable opportunities to challenge themselves and perform at their best. Through this collaborative and enriched approach, we ensure every student’s unique talents are recognised, developed, and celebrated.

Here are some of the opportunities available to support the talent development of students at Leonay Public School:

• Australian Problem-Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO)
• Premier's Spelling Bee
• Premier's Reading Challenge
• Premier's Sporting Challenge
• Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition
• Premier's Debating Challenge
• Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events