High potential and gifted education

The High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy is the department's commitment to ensuring every student, including high potential, gifted, and highly gifted students from all backgrounds, achieves their full educational potential across the four domains: creative, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional. The policy establishes that assessment and data must be used in an ongoing way to inform learning and teaching, ensuring access to quality learning opportunities and evidence-informed talent development that meets individual needs and aspirations. To optimise growth and achievement, the policy mandates that schools implement five key iterative actions: evaluate school procedures, assess and identify students' specific needs, implement evidence-informed practices and programs, collaborate with the wider community and families, and build teacher and leadership capability through research and professional learning. Ultimately, the policy aims to create safe learning environments that support the social-emotional development and wellbeing of these students, enabling them to connect, succeed, and thrive in all educational settings, including general and specialist programs.

East Hills Girls Technology High School is committed to addressing talent development across all four domains, utilising evidence-informed procedures, and providing quality learning opportunities that meet the specific needs of high potential and gifted students.

Talent Development Across All Domains

· Intellectual & Creative: This is met through advanced learning pathways and acceleration across core subjects. Examples include Extension 1 and 2 classes in English and Mathematics, Science Extension, and the Accelerated Stage 6 Enterprise Computing in IT. Creative development is supported by CAPA's diverse Dance Ensembles, Theatresports, and Podcasting in English.

· Physical: The extensive Sport programs, including Knockout Competitions, Central Venue Days, and various Extra-Curricular sporting opportunities, directly address the physical domain. The Year 10 PASS Coaching/Refereeing/Officiating program integrates advanced learning with physical activity.

· Social-Emotional: The policy emphasizes safe learning environments and wellbeing. This is addressed through programs like SRC/Senior Mentors, Peer Mentors, and the Care Committee in the Wellbeing section. HSIE’s Peer Support and the Philosophy Club also foster critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership, which are key components of social-emotional growth and connection.

Evidence-Informed Talent Development

The policy requires evidence-informed procedures, programs, and practices. The school demonstrates this through:

· Differentiated Learning: Programs like the Visible Learning model in Mathematics and the use of Extension booklets and Extension lessons represent differentiated teaching methods tailored for students identified as high potential or gifted.

· Curriculum Acceleration: Offering subjects like Extension 2 (HSC) and Exploring acceleration in Stage 4 (Mathematics) is a key evidence-informed strategy to compact curriculum and provide a greater level of challenge, preventing underachievement.

· Industry and Research Links (Collaboration): The TAS faculty exemplifies evidence-based practice through Engineering Partnerships with industry (CSIRO, Bankstown Airport) and Collaboration with Engineering Australia. Science and HSIE also leverage this with excursions to institutions like UNSW Museum of Human Disease and the Whitlam Institute, providing authentic, real-world learning contexts.

Meeting Specific Needs and Aspirations

The school programs are designed to meet the learning needs and aspirations of high potential students by offering:

Enrichment and Extension:

Enrichment programs like the HPGE morning sessions (Maths), Astronomy Club (Science), and Drama Club (CAPA) offer broader, deeper exploration of topics outside the standard curriculum.
Extension is provided through specific courses (e.g., Extension 1 & 2) and focused activities like the Year 11 Depth Study (Extra-Curricular), allowing students to pursue advanced scholarly work.

Community and Family Engagement (Collaboration):

Programs that involve the wider community, such as Work placement (TAS), the Cultural Ambassador Program (English), and the Cross-school mooting competition (HSIE), facilitate the policy's expectation of collaboration to enhance growth and achievement.

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.