High potential and gifted education

At Bellevue Hill Public School, we recognise and nurture the strengths of every learner. High potential and gifted education is woven into everyday classroom practice from Kindergarten to Year 6. Our teachers use evidence based approaches to identify student strengths and provide learning that is appropriately challenging, engaging and meaningful.

In our classrooms, students experience rich learning opportunities such as inquiry based tasks, flexible grouping, extension activities and creative enrichment projects. Teachers adjust the pace and depth of learning so students can think deeply, solve problems and explore ideas with confidence. Our modern learning spaces support collaboration, independence and curiosity.

Our goal is to stretch and inspire students in ways that build both capability and confidence. Whether a child excels in a particular area or across multiple domains, we tailor learning to help them grow, thrive and reach their full potential. Opportunities include:

• Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking​.
• Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning​.
• Advanced learning pathways, including accelerated or compacted content​.
• Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
• Opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth​.
• Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking​ including cross-curricular projects.
• Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation​.
• Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE​.
• Targeted learning goals for coordination, agility, and control​.
• Opportunities to take on lead roles in physical demonstrations or team strategy​.
• Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment.
• Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.​
• Opportunities for leadership within the classroom​.
• Structured peer collaboration and reflection.​
• Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance​.

High potential and gifted education is a whole school priority at Bellevue Hill Public School. We aim to nurture curiosity, capability and talent by offering a wide range of opportunities, programs and pathways that extend and enrich student learning.

Our students have access to specialised extension groups, enrichment activities, leadership opportunities and creative arts programs. Our languages offerings include Hebrew, Russian and Italian, and students may also join music, band and performance pathways. For learners needing deeper challenge, the Year 5 and 6 REACH class provides an advanced learning environment.

We also participate in programs such as Gateways, ICAS and the Bebras computational thinking challenge, along with wellbeing initiatives that support social, emotional and academic growth.

Our teachers are trained in the High Potential and Gifted Education Policy and use differentiation and talent development strategies to ensure learning is appropriately challenging. Each year we review student progress to identify who may benefit from extension opportunities, including consideration for the REACH class. We recognise that potential can emerge at any time, and we are committed to supporting it when it does. Opportunities include:

• Debating
• STEM and coding clubs
• Academic competitions
• Critical thinking workshops
• School musicals
• Music ensembles
• Visual arts and drama showcases
• Sport squads
• House competitions
• Performance-based movement groups - Dance
• Peer mentoring and mediation
• Student leadership (Student Representative Council)
• Wellbeing programs
• Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives.

Students at Bellevue Hill Public School benefit from a wide range of high potential and gifted opportunities offered across the state. These programs extend learning beyond the classroom and allow students to explore their strengths in new, challenging and inspiring settings.

Our students participate in state-wide academic competitions, performing arts programs such as Primary Proms and the Dance Festival, STEM and coding challenges, digital technology events, and sporting pathways for students with physical talent. They also have access to external assessments, enrichment experiences and mentoring opportunities aligned with the NSW High Potential and Gifted Education Policy.

Through these programs, students extend their interests, develop new skills, build confidence and connect with expert educators, peers and mentors from across NSW. Opportunities include:

• The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
• The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
• Involvement in the Game Changer Challenge and the da Vinci Decathlon empowers our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking.
• The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
• Participation in choir, band and music ensembles (e.g. Festival of Instrumental and Choral Music at the Opera House) hones our students’ musical skills, discipline and ensemble awareness.
• The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
• The Primary Sschool Sports Association (PSSA) events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at district, regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
• Participation in dance ensembles (Sydney Eistedfod, Showcase Dance Festival, In the Spotlight Dance Festival) develops our high potential and gifted Stage 2 and 3 dance students’ technical skills, performance presence and physical expressiveness.