High potential and gifted education
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.
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.
At Gundagai Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is part of our everyday practice. We recognise that many students demonstrate high potential, and we are committed to helping that potential grow and flourish.
Our teachers identify students’ learning needs and use evidence-informed practices to challenge, support and extend learners. We offer a range of learning pathways, including enrichment and extension opportunities, as well as acceleration where appropriate.
Our classrooms nurture a strong sense of belonging and encourage students to take risks, think creatively and collaborate with confidence.
Learning groups are flexible, students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, and feedback focuses on strengths, clear learning goals and opportunities for self-reflection.
Our staff engage in ongoing professional learning to meet the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.
Every student is unique, so our opportunities are flexible and diverse.
Students extend their strengths through debating, academic competitions, critical thinking workshops, and STEM pathways such as Code Club and STEM Club.
Talent is celebrated in our school musical and showcases like Lights Camera Action, along with drama, visual arts, music ensembles, choir, guitar group and dance programs, supported by student tech and crew roles.
Leadership is fostered through the SRC, mentoring and peer coaching, while wellbeing is recognised through our PBL awards.
Daily life promotes curiosity and belonging with Open Library at lunch, activity zones, and clubs such as Chess Club and Environmental Club.
Sport also plays a key role, with PSSA participation, training and coaching opportunities, house competitions and differentiated PE.
Our students engage in a wide range of statewide programs that extend and enrich their potential.
They take part in opportunities such as APSMO Maths Olympiad and Maths Explorer, the Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking, ANZAC Writing, the Premier’s Debating Competition and Tournament of Minds.
We also access statewide and NSW Department of Education support for high potential and gifted students, assisting with entries, preparation and reflection so each experience strengthens their learning.
2025 Maths Olympiad Success
Gundagai Public School is incredibly proud of our 2025 Maths Olympiad team, who have demonstrated outstanding lateral thinking and problem-solving skills this year. Across Terms 2 and 3, students completed four contest papers featuring challenging questions designed to extend their mathematical reasoning.
We are delighted to share that nine of our students placed in the Top 10% across all of Australasia. As a team, our students were also recognised with a commemorative plaque for finishing in the Top 10% of all competing schools — an exceptional achievement.
Our Stage 2 students also excelled in the Maths Explorer program, a valuable introduction to Olympiad-style thinking. Between the Olympiad and Explorer programs, more than 150,000 students from across Australasia participated, and our students stood proudly among them.
Congratulations to all students and staff involved in this outstanding accomplishment.
Senior Boys Basketball – NSW State Finals
In November 2025, our Senior Boys Basketball team travelled to Sydney to compete in the NSW Basketball State Finals — an outstanding achievement in itself.
The boys played three games on Tuesday, finishing the day with two strong wins and one narrow loss. This placed them 2nd in their pool and set them up confidently for the finals rounds.
On Wednesday, they opened with a cross-over quarterfinal and produced an impressive win, securing a semifinal position and a place in the top four teams in the state. In the semifinal, they faced a very strong St Erskine side and, despite a close defeat, the boys finished proud of their effort and growth.
Finishing 4th in NSW for their division is an exceptional result. Across the week, the team showed development, cohesion, resilience and outstanding sportsmanship — and, most importantly, they enjoyed the experience.
Thank you to the parents who supported the team and contributed to such a memorable week. A final thank you to our staff for guiding and supporting this fantastic group of students on their basketball journey.
Well done, boys — what an achievement.
Debating Success in Regional Knockout Rounds!
Our school’s debating team achieved a fantastic victory in the first stage of the Regional Knockout Rounds against Young Public School. Our talented debaters Lily-Rose Mooney, Tyler Smith, Tilly Coleman, and Jax Smart confidently argued the motion: “Schools should not make their top students spend one afternoon per week helping a struggling classmate.”
With well-crafted arguments, powerful rebuttals, and excellent delivery, our team impressed both the audience and the adjudicators, showcasing their skills and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and success.
We now eagerly look forward to the next stage of the competition and wish our debaters the very best of luck as they prepare to face their next opponent. Go team!
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