High potential and gifted education

At Figtree Public School, high potential and gifted education (HPGE) is integrated into our daily learning experiences. Many of our students demonstrate exceptional talents, and we are committed to supporting and developing these strengths into meaningful achievements.

Our teachers identify each student’s learning needs within the classroom and apply evidence-based teaching strategies to extend and challenge their abilities. We provide a variety of learning pathways, including enrichment programs, extension tasks, and acceleration when suitable. Students are identified by teachers (with family insights welcome and encouraged) as having high potential or giftedness across the cognitive, creative, physical, or social-emotional domains. This information is shared throughout the school to ensure effective support for every learner.

We create nurturing classroom environments that foster a sense of belonging, encourage creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration. Gifted students, particularly in the cognitive domain, receive targeted instruction to meet their individual level of challenge. They engage in open-ended activities and enrichment opportunities.

At Figtree Public School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. We challenge our students to think, create, lead and grow every day.

Here are some of the evidence-based teaching strategies used in the classroom to support all students:

• 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.
• Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation​.
• Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment.
• Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.​
• Opportunities for leadership within the classroom​.
• Structured peer collaboration and reflection.​
• Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance​.

At Figtree Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education forms a vital part of our core business. We recognise and nurture the unique talents of every student by providing flexible, diverse, and enriching opportunities that support growth across academic, creative, social, and physical domains.

Here are some of the opportunities available to support the talent development of students at Figtree Public School:

• Interschool sport competitions
• Representative sport pathways
• Student Representative Council
• Public speaking and debating
• Dance groups
• Choirs
• Chess club
• School camp
• Wellbeing programs
• Curriculum aligned excursions & incursions
• Interest clubs
• Art enrichment activities at Wollongong Art Gallery
• Opportunities for involvement in STEM and coding pathways

We actively participate in statewide competitions and activities, providing our students with valuable opportunities to challenge themselves and perform at their best. Through this collaborative and enriched approach, we ensure every student’s unique talents are recognised, developed, and celebrated.

Here are some of the opportunities available to support the talent development of students at Figtree  Public School:

• NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee
• NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge
• Southern Stars
• Wollongong Schools’ Choral Festival
• NSW PSSA School sport pathways
• NSW Premier’s Debating Challenge
• NSW Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition