Inspire – High potential and gifted education
At Bankstown Public School, we are committed to the NSW Department of Education's Inspire – 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. The 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 includes a continuous cycle of assessment, identification, planning, implementation and evaluation, ensuring that all students with potential and giftedness are recognised and extended across all four domains. We understand that potential exists along a continuum, where differing degrees of potential require differing approaches and levels of adjustment and intervention.
Through enrichment, extension, and extra-curricular opportunities, we provide engaging pathways to develop talent, build confidence and nurture capabilities that prepare our students for high school and life beyond. Our commitment includes supporting the talent development of all high potential and gifted students, recognising that these students come from all backgrounds and may have diverse needs.
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?
Inspire – 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.
Intellectual Domain
Physical Domain
- Participation in extension literacy and numeracy programs
- Engagement with STEM learning through science investigations and robotics
- Advanced technology and coding opportunities
- Access to challenge-based learning experiences
- Involvement in academic competitions including Mathematics Olympiad, public speaking, debating and writing competitions
- Premier's Reading Challenge and Spelling Bee participation
- High school transition programs and advanced learning pathways
- Enrichment classes in every stage
- Comprehensive physical education programs tailored to individual needs
- Swimming instruction and water safety programs
- Representative sport trials for district and regional teams
- Inter-school sporting competitions and gala days
- Specialised coaching through external providers in various sports
- Outdoor education and adventure learning experiences
- Health and wellness programs promoting lifelong fitness
Social-Emotional Domain
Creative Domain
- Student leadership opportunities including Student Representative Council and peer mentoring
- Buddy programs connecting students across year groups
- Community service and fundraising initiatives
- Wellbeing programs supporting emotional intelligence and resilience
- Collaborative learning experiences that develop teamwork and communication skills
- Mentoring and guidance programs
- Transition support for moving between school stages
- Visual arts programs exploring diverse media and techniques
- Music education including instrumental lessons, choir and ensemble opportunities
- Drama and performance programs
- Creative writing workshops and competitions
- Design thinking and innovation projects
- Cultural celebrations and artistic showcases
- Partnerships with local artists and cultural organisations
At Bankstown Public School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. Many students have high potential, and we help that potential to grow into something powerful.
· Teachers identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students. We provide learning pathways, including enrichment and extension programs and acceleration.
· Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
· Groups are flexible, students take lead roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and self-assessment.
· Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.
· Participation in extension literacy and numeracy programs
At Bankstown Public School every student is an individual, opportunities across our school are diverse, engaging and aim to challenge and foster our students’ talents.
· Students deepen various strengths through our popular debating and public speaking competitions, STEM and opportunities like our Lego Club offered to students.
· Talent is celebrated within our school through our dance groups, choir, and the Ukulele Group. Creativity is also encouraged through our Writers’ Club.
· Leadership thrives and grows through our SRC representatives and Student Leadership opportunities.
· Sport is also an important part of daily activities, through PSSA teams, training and athletic carnivals.
Statewide
Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to progress and foster student potential.
Students participate in opportunities such as Maths Olympiad, Premiers Spelling Bee, Premiers Reading Challenge and we also offer students the opportunity to participate in the UNSW International Competitions and Assessments for Students (ICAS).
2nd in NSW!
Congratulations to Marcus, Ayden, Daniel & Ezekiel who competed at the NSW Primary School Sports Association State Athletics Championships today in the junior boys relay. It was a special opportunity as our team had two sets of brothers running together. Our whole school community were cheering them on through the live stream and we are so proud. Thank you to Sydney South West School Sport Association for providing this wonderful opportunity.
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.