High potential and gifted education (HPGE)
Kotara High School has cultivated a strong and enduring culture of supporting High Potential and Gifted Education, proudly celebrating the diverse talents and abilities of all our students. We nurture learners across all HPGE domains - creative, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional - recognising that potential appears in many forms. By providing inclusive and stimulating environments tailored to these varied strengths, we ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their highest potential.
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.
In the classroom
In our classrooms, we implement targeted strategies and innovative practices designed to challenge and engage students across all domains of High Potential and Gifted Education, ensuring that each learner’s unique strengths are recognised and nurtured. This includes:
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
- Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
- Extension opportunities across all stages, including Stage 4 & 5 academic enrichment classes, as well as an extensive offering of HSC Extension courses.
- Opportunities for leadership within the classroom, including peer coaching roles in PDHPE and Sports Coaching lessons
- Dynamic environments that foster creative thinking, culminating in art and performance showcases for real-world audiences
Across our school
Across the school, we provide a comprehensive and inclusive approach to High Potential and Gifted Education, ensuring that students’ diverse strengths are supported through enriched programs, collaborative opportunities and a culture that values and celebrates excellence in all domains.
Creative
In the creative domain, we inspire and challenge students through diverse opportunities that encourage imaginative thinking, artistic expression and innovative problem-solving, fostering a vibrant culture of creativity across the school. This is celebrated and extended through:
- Community showcases displaying the diverse artistic works, drama skills and musical talents of our students
- School musicals that bring together students across year groups to showcase their performing talents
- A Stage Band that regularly performs at whole-school events and assemblies, showcasing students’ musical talents
- Immersion opportunities such as dedicated art enrichment days to deepen students’ creative skills and experiences
Our own music festival, The Big Day Out, celebrating student musicians and performers in a dynamic school event
Intellectual
In the intellectual domain, we offer diverse experiences that inspire critical thinking, enhance problem-solving skills, and deepen understanding, nurturing a passion for inquiry and academic excellence. This includes:
- Active school clubs in a range of areas, including Mathematics, Science and reading.
- Participation in competitions such as the Australian Mathematics Competition, Education Perfect Language Competition and STEM Challenge
- Meaningful opportunities to connect our sister school in Ube Japan, including a school study tour.
- Preparation programs for Stage 5 students wishing to pursue higher-level mathematics
A wide range of VET subject offerings providing students with a range of post-school pathways.
Physical
In the physical domain, we provide opportunities that promote physical development, health and wellbeing, encouraging students to excel through active participation, teamwork and personal growth in a supportive environment. This includes:
- A variety of sporting teams with a strong foundation for consistent achievement and success
- Whole school sports carnivals for swimming, cross country and athletics, providing pathways for higher representation
- A comprehensive Wednesday afternoon sport program that provides students access to a wide variety of physical activities
Engagement in a range of sport gala days and inter-school tournaments
Social-emotional
In the social-emotional domain, we focus on fostering resilience, empathy and positive relationships, creating a supportive environment where students develop strong interpersonal skills. This includes:
- A strong and active Student Representative Council that empowers students to voice their ideas and contribute to school decisions
- An established Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) that supports cultural engagement and leadership
- A structured mentoring program providing guidance and support for students in Years 7-12
- Enrichment and wellbeing days involving teamwork and shared reflection
Across NSW
Across NSW and beyond, our students at Kotara High School engage at the highest levels of competition and collaboration. This includes:
- The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC), which promotes whole-school participation in physical activity
- CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
- The Premier’s Reading Challenge, inspiring students to cultivate a passion for reading
- Nomination and support for participation in Star Struck
- Engagement in student leadership conferences, expanding student networks and leadership capacity.
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