High potential and gifted education

At Islington Public School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. Many students have high potential, and we help that potential to grow into something powerful.

• Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning​.
• Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
• Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking​ including cross-curricular projects.
• Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment.
• Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.​
• Opportunities for leadership within the classroom​.
• Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance​.

Every student is individual, so opportunities are flexible and diverse.

• Students deepen strengths through debating, competitions, critical thinking workshops, and STEM and coding.
• Talent is celebrated through school musicals and showcases such as Islington's Got Talent, School Star Struck, drama, visual arts, music ensembles, choir, supported by student roles in tech and crew.
• Leadership grows through Student Voice Forum, and wellbeing is made visible with Positivity Project and awards.
• Daily life invites curiosity and belonging, with Open Library at lunch and Breakfast club, plus clubs like Operation Art, Writing, and gardening.
• Sport matters too, with PSSA sport, Sport in Schools and PE.

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

• The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
• The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
• Our STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry and universities such as Discovery Day, deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
• The Star Struck is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
• 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 and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.