High potential and gifted education
At Halinda School, we believe that every student has strengths and potential.
We are committed to recognising, supporting, and developing high potential in students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities through inclusive and meaningful learning opportunities.
Our approach aligns with the NSW Department of Education High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy, recognising that high potential and giftedness can be shown in many different ways. This may include thinking and problem-solving skills, creativity, physical ability, communication, social understanding, or personal interests.
Our teachers and support staff work closely with families and carers to identify each student’s strengths, interests, and areas of motivation. We then design adjusted and personalised learning experiences that encourage students to explore their abilities, take on appropriate challenge, and experience success.
We recognise High Potential and support it.
High potential learning opportunities are embedded:
- in classrooms
- across the school
- and through broader experiences within NSW, where appropriate
At Halinda School, we focus on seeing what students can do, building on their strengths, and supporting them to grow, participate, and achieve in ways that are meaningful for them.
What is High Potential and Gifted Education at Halinda ?
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is how our school recognises and supports students’ strengths, interests, and abilities, even when they also have moderate to severe intellectual disability or complex learning needs.
In our school, high potential may look different for each student. It might be shown through:
- strong interests or passions
- problem-solving or thinking skills
- creativity, communication, or physical ability
- social understanding, leadership, or persistence
HPGE is about building on what students can do.
How we support high potential in our SSP
At our school, HPGE support may include:
- carefully adjusted teaching strategies such as enrichment, extension, or additional challenge at a level that is meaningful and achievable
- tailored support during lessons to stretch experience, encourage independence, and promote confidence
- access to learning opportunities within the school and beyond, where appropriate, with the right supports in place
HPGE is embedded into everyday learning and routines.
Our approach to HPGE
The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy from the NSW Department of Education is guided by principles that strongly align with SSP practice:
- Every student deserves learning that meets their needs, regardless of disability, background, or personal circumstances.
- We hold high expectations for all students, including those who show high potential in different ways.
- Students thrive in environments with quality teaching, clear routines, and strong support from staff and families.
- Potential develops along a continuum. Some students may need small adjustments, while others need more intensive support or carefully scaffolded challenge.
At our school, HPGE means seeing strengths first, supporting growth over time, and helping each student experience success in ways that are meaningful, motivating, and achievable.
Our Staff and HPGT Students
Our staff work together with a shared understanding of how to notice, value, and build on the strengths of students with complex needs.
Staff bring their knowledge, creativity, and experience together to create learning opportunities that help each student grow in their own strengths, including creative, thinking, physical, and social development.
Case Studies of HPGT Students [ . . . . . ]
Further Information on high potential and gifted education?
High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how NSW DET schools support students with 'splinter skills' and 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 staff have embraced HPGE, recognising potential in students with complex needs.
- Our school has enriched programs for Dance, Sport Food, Gardening, Technology, Arts and Stem and is providing opportunities for students in the physical and social-emotional domains.
- Our school works with other schools via professional links and programmed incursions to share our expertise and understandings for the benefit of all students.
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.
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.