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?

At Khancoban Public School, a small rural school, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is embedded in everyday teaching and learning and aligned with the NSW High Potential and Gifted Education Policy. We recognise that students may demonstrate high potential across the intellectual, creative, social–emotional and physical domains, and across all Key Learning Areas. Teaching and learning programs intentionally build on individual student strengths to develop talent, extend learning, and promote high expectations for achievement.

Recognising potential and developing talent

Teachers use their strong knowledge of students to identify high potential learners within the classroom and apply evidence-informed differentiation through enrichment, extension and, where appropriate, acceleration. Learning experiences are personalised, flexible and responsive, enabling students to engage deeply in areas of strength while continuing to develop skills, understanding and confidence across a broad and balanced curriculum.

Tailored lessons

Learning environments at Khancoban Public School are inclusive, supportive and challenging, ensuring students feel known, valued and connected. Flexible groupings, student-led learning opportunities, and strengths-based, goal-oriented feedback support students to reflect on their learning, set goals, and take increasing ownership of their progress.

Rich opportunities and activities

Talent development opportunities extend beyond the classroom and support students to demonstrate and apply their abilities in authentic contexts. Enrichment opportunities include public speaking, leadership development, creative and critical thinking, and meaningful community engagement.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Students are provided with leadership roles within the school and the wider community, including leading the local ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services and participating in community initiatives such as the Big Morning Tea, allowing them to develop confidence, communication skills and social responsibility.

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.

Signs of high potential

High potential and gifted children are advanced learners. They tend to:

be intensely 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 intensely focused in their area of interest or passion.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

At Khancoban Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education opportunities are provided across the intellectual, creative, social–emotional and physical domains, allowing students to develop their strengths through a wide range of authentic learning experiences.

Khancoban Public School works as part of the ALPSS network, a strong partnership of four small schools in the Alpine area. This network includes Khancoban, Talbingo, Rosewood and Humula Public Schools.

In our classrooms

The activities below support talent development, extend learning beyond the classroom and provide meaningful opportunities for students to challenge themselves, build confidence and thrive.

Intellectual Domain

(Problem-solving, reasoning, knowledge acquisition, STEM, academic extension)

Snowy Hydro STEM Program
Country Universities Year 6 Program
Enviro Mentors
Adelong Goldfields Excursion
Yarrangabilly Caves Walk (Years 5–6)

Creative Domain

(Imagination, expression, innovation, creative thinking)

Sculptures by the Sea
Easter Hat Parade
Book Week Parade
Tumbarumba Spring Flower Festival
Tumbarumba Show

Social–Emotional Domain

(Leadership, communication, collaboration, empathy, community engagement)

GRIP Leadership
ANZAC Day Service
Remembrance Day Tree Planting
Big Morning Tea
Positive Living Skills Program
Rock and Water Program

Physical Domain

(Movement skills, physical performance, coordination, endurance)

Swimming Lessons Program
Swimming Carnivals
Athletics Carnivals
Cross Country
Winter Ski School – Mt Selwyn or Thredbo
Golf, Football, Netball, and Tennis Coaching

Across our ALPSS network

Through ALPSS, schools work together to create richer learning experiences for students and stronger professional collaboration for staff.

Students take part in shared Harmony Day and cultural celebrations, building understanding, inclusion and respect.
Schools work together to offer shared excursions and camps, giving students opportunities to learn and connect with a wider peer group.
Teachers and principals collaborate across schools to share expertise, plan together and strengthen teaching practice, improving learning outcomes for all students.
ALPSS allows students to access opportunities that may not always be available in a single small school setting.

These experiences support the development of students with high potential across all HPGE domains.

Across NSW

The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.