High potential and gifted education
At our school, we give the right support to help advanced or talented learners grow and do their best.
We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.
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.
At SMIS, we integrate HPGE strategies into everyday teaching, creating dynamic classrooms that nurture each student’s potential and support the growth and success of all learners through:
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
- Checking for student understanding, strength-based feedback and regular individualised goal setting.
- Safe and inclusive learning environments that encourage risk-taking and perseverance, resilience, and well-being.
- Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.
- Regular collaborative analysis of student learning and wellbeing growth, where teachers are guided and supported in adjusting programs and teaching practice to support individual student success and development.
Every student is individual, so opportunities are flexible and diverse. SMIS offers a range of opportunities including:
- STEM Days
- Student leadership and voice in our Student Council, Aboriginal Education Team and Environment Committee.
- Student leadership in chairing school special events and assemblies.
- A range of sport opportunities across the year, including Touch Football, Hockey and Basketball.
- Garden/Kitchen Program which encompasses STEM, Environmental Education and Life Skill development.
Students at SMIS participate in a range of statewide and local school network programs including:
- The premiers Sporting Challenge
- The premiers Reading Challenge
- Small Schools Athletics Carnivals
- Hunter Schools Zone Public Speaking
- Wiyala Public Speaking
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