High potential and gifted education

Our classroom practices support and extend the learning of high-potential and gifted students.

• 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, extension, and acceleration programs.
• Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
• Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high-potential and gifted learners, embedding opportunities for choice, higher-order thinking, abstraction and authenticity into learning across the curriculum.
• We design and deliver differentiated enrichment programs in English and Mathematics through English and Maths groups from Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Opportunities for leadership within the classroom​.
• Structured goal setting, peer collaboration and reflection.​

Our school recognises that every student is unique, and we provide flexible, diverse opportunities for students to explore and develop their strengths outside the classroom.

• Digital Technologies, STEM-based programs from Kindergarten to Year 6.
• A termly Little Big Scrub Bush School Program integrating all Key Learning Areas.
• Playground activities include under-the-cola chess, table tennis, scooters, tennis, and a 3-dimensional Lego board.
• All students, including high-potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles throughout the school.
• Student talent is celebrated and extended through an annual school musical, and key learning successes are celebrated and promoted through termly Assemblies.
• Our students can take part in Sporting Schools coaching sessions and differentiated Physical Education programs.
• Wellbeing Programs including Smiling Minds.
• Opportunities to participate in First North Schools opportunities through sport, public speaking, music opportunities, Byron Bay Writers Festival opportunities and excursions.
• Participation in Small School combined activities through camps and attendance celebrations.

Our students participate in a wide range of programs to extend their potential. We provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents:

• The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.

• The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.

• The Premier's Reading Challenge supports students to access high-quality literature and increases vocabulary.

• The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events enable students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.

• Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition.

• Far North Coast Creative Arts Camp.

• PSSA Sport Competitions - local/regional/state and small schools, PSSA knockout competition

• PSSA sport competitions – local, regional, state: Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, and a range of sports.

• Far North Coast Creative Arts Camp.

• Environmental Arts Camp, Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre.

• Access to the Conservatorium of Music tuition outside of school hours.

• Tournament of Minds (Years 5 & 6).

• ICAS academic competitions.

• Lismore Performing Arts.

• Small School Choir opportunities.

• Film by Northern Rivers (Years 5 & 6).

  More offering examples are listed on the HPGE system wide opportunities webpage open