High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

We identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students. We provide learning pathways, including enrichment and extension programs.

• Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher order thinking
• Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning
• Advanced learning pathways, including acceleration or compacted content
• Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies
• Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking and perseverance
• Teaching regularly using purposeful and flexible grouping, embed enrichment within the core curriculum and applying differentiation adjustments to ensure all students are appropriately challenged and supported in line with their potential

Across our school

Our school recognises that every student is individual and we provide diverse opportunities for students to explore and develop their strengths. At Hurstville South Public School, we offer a range of whole-school programs that support student growth across the four domains of potential.

Enrichment and talent development opportunities are available through:

Creative:

• A comprehensive band program offering both training and performing bands, providing students with regular tutorials to enhance their individual skills and ensemble performance. Students participate in regional events such as Bandtastic, engage in an immersive annual band camp for intensive rehearsals and team-building and showcase their talents at our annual Band Showcase evening.
• A performing arts program including Junior and Senior choirs, contemporary and cultural dance groups linked to the Chinese language program and Stage 3 students alternating between Dance Sport (ballroom dance) and a Stage 3 musical for school evening performances.

Intellectual:

• Inquiry-based learning units where students explore real-world problems through open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation, fostering deep understanding and creativity.
• Classes in Years 3 to 6 organised into stages that enable intellectual grouping across grade levels, providing opportunities for students to collaborate with peers at similar learning stages and challenge themselves academically.
• Student-led conferences for Years 3-6 in which students actively take responsibility for communicating their learning progress, achievements, challenges and personal goals, promoting self-reflection, confidence and ownership of their learning journey.
• A lunchtime chess club, providing a fun environment for students to build strategic thinking and problem-solving skills through friendly matches.

Physical:

• Participation in the Georges River Primary School Sports Association, offering opportunities to engage in a variety of sports throughout the year.
• School-based athletics, swimming and cross country carnivals, with support for qualifying students to represent the school at regional levels and beyond.
• AFL program in partnership with the Sydney Swans, offering students opportunities to develop skills and teamwork, including the opportunity to be selected to participate in the Paul Kelly Cup competition.

Social-Emotional:

• Elected Student Representative Council leaders, including School Captains, Prefects and class representatives advocating for their peers, Year 6 leadership roles such as participation in the Harmony Hub and the Year 6 Buddy Program supporting Kindergarten students, all fostering inclusivity, responsibility and positive community engagement.

Across NSW

We provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents.

• Participation in the APSMO Maths Olympiad, a prestigious competition that challenges students to develop advanced problem-solving and mathematical reasoning skills beyond the regular curriculum.
• Engagement in the Premier’s Debating Challenge, where students build critical thinking, persuasive communication and teamwork through structured debate formats.
• Opportunities to compete in regional and state public speaking competitions, including the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition, fostering confidence, effective communication skills and cultural awareness.
• Performance involvement in the St George Performing Arts Festival, providing students with a platform to showcase their talents in music, dance and drama alongside peers from other schools.
• Regional sporting representation in athletics, swimming and cross country, and promoting particpation in trials for representative sports teams, promoting excellence in physical education and teamwork.