High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE)

At Warragamba Public School, we are committed to the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy, which ensures that students with high potential across all areas of ability are identified, supported, and challenged to thrive.

This policy recognises that students may demonstrate high potential and the capacity for gifted performance, in one or more of four domains: intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical.

Our HPGE approach involves a continuous cycle of assessment, identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This ensures that all students with potential and giftedness are recognised and extended across each of the four domains.

Through enrichment, extension, and extra-curricular opportunities, we offer engaging pathways to nurture talent, build confidence, and develop the capabilities that prepare students for high school and life beyond.

Opportunities are endless

HPG Challenge Cup

Students take part in an exciting challenge against teams from across Camden and Macarthur. This event encourages creative thinking, teamwork and problem-solving as students work together to tackle a range of fun, inventive and complex activities.

Leadership Days

Our students engage in a variety of leadership workshops with schools across our network. These days, along with exciting opportunities in school, give students valuable chances to connect with others, build confidence and develop skills that will support them both in and out of the classroom.

Leadership K-6

We offer a range of leadership opportunities for students from Kindergarten to Year 6, including class leaders, house captains and school leaders. These roles help students grow in responsibility, communication and teamwork while actively contributing to our school community.

Clubs

At Warragamba, students can join a variety of lunchtime and recess clubs designed to spark interests and build skills. From strategic thinking in chess, to caring for our chickens, exploring nature in gardening, staying active through dance and sport and expressing creativity in art, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Book Week
Our annual Book Week celebration invites students to express their creativity with a wide range of imaginative costume choices. It’s a joyful week where students step into the shoes of their favourite characters and bring stories to life.

Spelling Bee

The Premier’s Spelling Bee encourages students to extend their spelling and vocabulary skills in a fun, statewide competition. It helps build confidence, encourages a love of language and celebrates word-power across New South Wales.

Public Speaking

Our K–6 public speaking competition gives students the chance to shine through a prepared speech and an impromptu challenge. This experience builds confidence, creativity and communication skills in a supportive environment. Students are encouraged to show their range and build their resilience with zone and future opportunities available.

Gala Days

PSSA Gala Days provide students with the chance to enjoy a range of team sports in a fun and inclusive setting. These days encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, skill development and the joy of active participation.

Zone/State Representation

Students who excel in sport have the opportunity to represent our school at zone, regional and state levels. These experiences allow them to compete with pride, demonstrate resilience and develop their skills alongside peers from across NSW.

Knockouts

School sport knockout competitions give students the opportunity to compete in a structured elimination format against other schools. These events promote teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship while inspiring students to strive for their personal best.

Arts Alive

The Arts Alive Film Festival celebrates student creativity through film. It provides young storytellers with an exciting platform to share their work, develop artistic and technical skills and engage with the wider community. Helping our young high potential students to explore performance and behind the camera action.

Award Recognition
Our Recognition Assemblies celebrate the diverse achievements of our students across all domains of potential. Through merits and awards presented on stage and in whole-school gatherings, we honour accomplishments in academics, the arts, citizenship, leadership, and personal growth. These celebrations highlight each student’s unique strengths, inspire others to strive for excellence, and foster a culture of pride, encouragement, and community.

Limelight/ Ballroom/ Pulse Dance

Our school dance groups showcase dedication, teamwork and artistic expression. Through regular rehearsals and performances, students develop discipline, confidence and a love of movement while representing our school with pride.

Choir

Our school choir brings students together to learn, rehearse and perform a wide range of songs. Choir helps students grow musically while building confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Junior AECG

The Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group empowers young Aboriginal students by giving them a strong voice within our school community, encouraging creativity. Through leadership, cultural learning and advocacy, students develop pride, confidence and connection.

STEM
In partnership with Glenmore Park High School, students engage in hands-on STEM activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Through science, technology, engineering and mathematics experiences, students develop problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.

Warragamba HPGE opportunities include:

Intellectual

  • Participation in extension literacy and numeracy activities

  • STEM experiences in collaboration with Glenmore Park High School and Macarthur Network

  • Engaging in technology and digital literacy activities

Physical
  • Participation in physical education classes
  • Swimming Scheme
  • District Trials for representative teams
  • Gala Days
  • Dance Sport
  • Gardening
  • Chess
  • Public Speaking
Social Emotional
  • Engagement in buddy systems including year 6 and Kindergarten Buddy program
  • Student Leadership including School Leaders, Student representative Council, Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and Sports Captains.
  • Fundraising and volunteering
  • Intergenerational Program in collaboration with the Warradale Men' s Shed
  • Engagement with Therapy Dog Training
Creative
  • Involvement in visual arts and craft activities with professional artists
  • Participation in music and singing lessons
  • Opportunities in dance, choir at Pulse, Limelight and annual school performances
  • Participation in the annual Macarthur Film Festival
  • Involvement in the recording of the school Podcast

Why Warragamba Public School is a hub for High Potential and Gifted Students:

Recognising Potential

Whether it is on the sporting field, through dance, in leadership, or within standout academics, at Warragamba we take pride in recognising and nurturing every child’s potential. We celebrate individual strengths and encourage students to explore new areas of interest so they can grow with confidence.

Differentiation & Engagement

Students’ abilities are at the forefront of our educational approach. In every classroom, teachers plan targeted lessons that meet each child’s learning needs, offering extension opportunities and providing the resources necessary to help them achieve their goals. This ensures that every student feels challenged, supported and valued in their learning journey.

Opportunities in Creative and Social Domains

With a strong focus on empowering students socially and emotionally, we provide a wide range of opportunities designed to build and develop each child’s unique talents. These experiences help students express themselves, connect with peers and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals.

Opportunities in the Physical Domain

Through our interconnected network of schools and access to specialist teachers, we offer a solid foundation for our sporting students to flourish. These opportunities allow children to develop their skills, build healthy habits and thrive in the physical activities they enjoy.

What is HPGE?

- High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is how Warragamba Public School supports students with advanced learning needs.

- For more information on what that is: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/high-potential-and-gifted-education/supporting-educators/implement

Opportunities at Warragamba PS

Classroom
At Warragamba Public School, our classrooms are designed to support every learner through rich, engaging and differentiated experiences. Teachers adjust the pace, complexity and level of challenge to match individual needs, using ongoing formative assessment to monitor growth and guide learning. Students receive explicit instruction in critical thinking and problem-solving, while also engaging in tasks that encourage abstraction, inquiry and deeper exploration of the curriculum. We provide opportunities for choice, authenticity and creativity through cross-curricular projects, flexible grouping, and collaborative presentations. Our supportive learning environments promote exploration, self-assessment and goal setting, with strengths-based feedback that helps students recognise their progress. Leadership opportunities, structured peer collaboration and a strong culture of safety and encouragement allow students to build confidence, take risks and persevere in their learning.
School
Across Warragamba Public School, students have access to a wide range of enriching opportunities that support their growth beyond the classroom. They can participate in Spelling Bees and public speaking, join STEM and coding clubs and take part in various academic competitions that extend their learning. Our dance ensembles and performance-based movement groups allow students to express their creativity, while diverse sporting opportunities help them stay active and build teamwork skills. We also offer meaningful avenues for student leadership and encourage all learners to be involved in whole-school Salutogenic inclusion and wellbeing initiatives. Together, these experiences help our students develop confidence, connectedness and a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Network and State
Across NSW, Warragamba Public School students have the chance to participate in a variety of state- and network-wide programs that enrich their learning and showcase their talents. The Operational Directorate, Public Speaking Competition helps students build strong logical reasoning skills and confidence in public speaking, while the Premier’s Spelling Bee strengthens vocabulary and attention to detail in a fun, competitive environment. Through STEM Enrichment Partnerships with the local high school and airport, students deepen their curiosity and develop innovative, collaborative problem-solving skills. The Pulse Dance and Limelight competition offers a memorable platform for students to celebrate their creativity and diversity through the performing arts. Physical activity and leadership are supported through the Premier’s Sporting Challenge and our students can also explore representative sport pathways through PSSA events, where they may trial and compete at regional, state and even national levels. Together, these opportunities help our students grow as confident, capable and connected learners.

Supporting parents & carers

Advice for parents and carers of high potential and gifted students.

The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy has been developed after consultation with parent organisations. These included the Federation of Parents and Citizens Association of NSW, Gifted Families Support Group and Gifted Learners with Disability Australia.

Signs of high potential

High potential and gifted children tend to:

-        be very curious

-        learn new ideas or skills quickly and easily

-        display a good memory

-        ask complex questions

-        be creative

-        enjoy thinking in complex ways

-        require fewer repetitions when learning new things

-        become very focused in their area of interest or passion.

-        Children with high potential like to be challenged. If you observe your child is more advanced than their peers, in any area or domain, it is recommended that you discuss this with your child's teacher or other professional.

-        A rapid rate of learning means these children may enjoy opportunities beyond the typical level of other children their age.

Want to know more about HPGE?

We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.

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