High potential and gifted education

At Holroyd, high potential and gifted education lives in everyday lessons, not just special programs.

Teachers use clear learning intentions, success criteria and regular check ins so they know when your child is ready for more challenge. They adjust the pace and complexity of work, ask higher order questions and offer different ways for students to show what they know.

Classrooms are inclusive and supportive, with EAL/D and learning support teachers working alongside classroom teachers. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles in group work, reflect on their learning and set goals so they can see their own progress.

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.

In our classroom

At Holroyd High School, high potential and gifted education lives in the everyday work of our classrooms. Guided by our values of Care, Opportunity, Responsibility and Diversity, teachers design learning that stretches students’ thinking while keeping support clear and purposeful.

Learning is explicit and anchored in clear learning intentions, success criteria and feedback. Teachers use formative assessment, student work samples and progress checks to identify when students are ready for more, then adjust pace and complexity through differentiated tasks and higher order questioning. Open ended questions, rich tasks and explicit teaching of methods of enquiry encourage students to analyse, create and reflect, not just recall.

Students are offered multiple ways to show what they know, including opportunities to demonstrate understanding in creative ways, participate in debates and structured reflection processes, or tackle inquiry projects that deepen curriculum knowledge. Flexible grouping supports collaborative ideation and presentation, and students are encouraged to take on lead roles where they can model thinking and mentor peers.

Our classrooms are strongly inclusive. EAL/D and learning support teachers work alongside classroom teachers to scaffold challenge, while refugee support and in class adjustments ensure students feel safe, known and able to participate at a high level. Strengths based feedback, goal setting and explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies help students build confidence, independence and perseverance in their learning.

Across our school

Beyond the classroom, Holroyd offers many ways for high potential and gifted students to explore their strengths and find their voice.

Students can take part in academic clubs and homework support, creative arts programs, drama, dance, art exhibitions, school café and enterprise projects. These give real world audiences for their ideas and talents.

Sporting pathways, leadership roles, peer support, refugee support programs, Breakfast Club and wellbeing initiatives help build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging. Every student is encouraged to contribute to the life of the school in ways that reflect their interests and potential.

Across NSW

Holroyd students are supported to step into regional and state opportunities so their talents can grow further.

Through Combined High Schools sport and gala days, students can represent at zone, regional and state level. They are also encouraged to join statewide academic, creative and leadership programs and competitions, connecting them with like minded peers and specialist mentors.

Across classroom, school and system levels, Holroyd’s message to every student is clear: you are known, you are capable, and we are here to help you stretch your potential.