High potential and gifted education

At Windsor Park Public School, every learner’s potential is our priority. Our teachers identify and support the development of high potential in students through objective, valid, and reliable formative assessments that inform teaching and learning across the creative, intellectual, physical, and social–emotional domains. This identification occurs within the classroom, throughout the school, and reaches into the broader community that shapes our students’ experiences.

Our approach to teaching and learning is grounded in high expectations for all students, recognising the importance of differentiated, evidence-based opportunities to support their growth and achievement. To this end, we provide tailored learning, enrichment, and extension programs across all domains (creative, intellectual, physical and social–emotional) both inside and beyond the classroom. We aim to ensure every high-potential learner is engaged, motivated, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We proudly follow the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy, which acknowledges the unique strengths and needs of gifted and high-potential students. By working closely with families and the wider school community, and through ongoing professional learning, our teachers continually enhance their skills to support every student's growth and achievement. Together, we are dedicated to being the catalyst for high performance and talent development in all our students. We encourage families to partner with us in this important journey.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.

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.

In our classroom

At Windsor Park Public School, HPGE is embedded in everyday teaching and learning, guided by a strong focus on explicit instruction, evidence-based practices, high expectations, effective differentiation, and a range of assessments to meet the unique needs of every student.

Teachers explicitly communicate high expectations by designing learning intentions and success criteria that foster higher-order thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, encouraging students to set personal goals and strive for their best.

Teachers regularly engage in professional development on HPGE strategies and collaborate to share best practice, strengthening instructional quality and consistency across the school.

HPGE in the classroom includes:

Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning.
Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment.
Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.
Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance.
Flexible grouping to support collaboration, ideation and rich academic dialogue.
Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE for physical high potential.
Opportunities for leadership and responsibility within the classroom.

Across our school

High-potential and gifted learners at Windsor Park Public School are supported through a range of programs that extend their strengths, explore new interests, and develop leadership skills. We recognise the unique talents of every student and provide opportunities to nurture and challenge these abilities across academic and creative pursuits.

Junior and senior dance groups
Choir
Art competitions
Chess club
School sporting programs
PSSA sport gala days and inter-school sporting events
Public speaking competitions
Hawkesbury public speaking competitions
Debating
Student leadership opportunities (SRC at school and network level)
Cultural leadership opportunities
AECG leadership and community engagement
Hawkesbury Performing Arts Festival
Hawkesbury show participation
Wellbeing and peer buddy programs
Curriculum aligned excursions & incursions

Our extra-curricular highlights

Sporting opportunities

We are proud to offer a diverse range of sporting opportunities to engage students of all interests and skill levels. Our students have the chance to participate in inter-school competitions across a variety of sports, including soccer, netball, basketball, Oztag, cricket, AFL, and more. In addition, we participate in gala days that provide students with the opportunity to try new sports in a fun, supportive, and less competitive environment. These programs promote teamwork, fitness, and sportsmanship, while fostering confidence and a lifelong love of physical activity.

Creative and performing arts

At our school, the Creative and Performing Arts program provides a rich and dynamic platform for students to explore and develop their artistic talents. Our vibrant program includes junior and senior dance groups, singing opportunities, and visual arts, allowing students to express themselves and build confidence in a supportive environment. Students actively participate in performing arts festivals, local shows, and community performances at venues such as local shopping centres, showcasing their skills and enthusiasm. They also have the chance to enter visual art competitions that celebrate creativity within our school and beyond. Through these diverse experiences, students not only enhance their artistic abilities but also develop teamwork, resilience, and a strong connection to the wider community.

Aboriginal education and cultural language activities

At Windsor Park Public School, we value and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and identities as part of our extra-curricular offerings. Our Aboriginal Education Officer works with students to explore country, language and cultural practices in ways that build genuine understanding and connection.

Students take part in a variety of cultural learning experiences, including traditional dance, music and instruments, art, storytelling and community events such as NAIDOC Week and other significant cultural celebrations. These activities help all students develop cultural respect, awareness and a strong sense of belonging.

Aboriginal perspectives are woven into our school’s extra-curricular programs and community life, ensuring we honour and value the world’s oldest continuous cultures.

Excursions and incursions (trips and excursions)

Our students enjoy getting out of the classroom to explore, learn, and try new things. These experiences help them grow, build confidence, and see how their learning connects to the world.

Debating and public speaking

At Windsor Park Public School, students have many opportunities to develop their communication and critical thinking skills through debating and public speaking. Senior students participate in inter‑school debating competitions, where they practise persuasive argument, teamwork and strategic thinking. In addition, students can take part in inter‑school public speaking events, as well as school‑based activities, helping them build confidence, clarity and poise when presenting their ideas to an audience.

Chess

Our chess club is a popular lunchtime activity open to students of all ages and skill levels. Players come together to enjoy friendly games, build strategic thinking and strengthen concentration. The club also provides opportunities for students to take part in PSSA chess competitions, both team and individual, where they can represent our school against other local schools. These competitive experiences challenge students to apply their skills, build confidence, and enjoy a sense of achievement in a supportive environment.

Student leadership opportunities

Our school captains, vice captains and prefects inspire their peers and lead school initiatives, developing teamwork, responsibility and school pride. Sport captains and vice captains motivate their house teams, promoting participation, sportsmanship and a positive, inclusive sporting environment.

The SRC is made up of student leaders elected from each class to represent their peers and share their ideas. They work with staff to organise events, promote school spirit, and ensure student voices are heard, developing leadership, teamwork and responsibility along the way.