High potential and gifted education

At Young High School, we recognise that high potential and giftedness can be expressed across a range of domains, including intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical. Our vision is to identify and support students whose potential in these areas requires a differentiated and responsive learning environment.

Through an ongoing, clear and equitable selection process, in collaboration with our partner schools, students will be placed into targeted programs led by trained educators who understand how to challenge and extend their growth. These students will engage in rich, personalised learning experiences designed to stretch their thinking, deepen their skills and fuel their passion.

Whether excelling in academic pursuits, artistic expression, leadership or athletic performance, our students will be supported to develop holistically to become confident, curious and capable learners who are empowered to thrive at school and beyond.

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.

In our classroom

Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning.
Advanced learning pathways, including accelerated or compacted content.
Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
Opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth.
Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects.
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.

Across our school

Rotary Science and Engineering Challenge
Academic competitions - Da Vinci Decathlon
Music ensembles - Band Link, School Band
Visual arts and drama showcases - MADD night, Showcase
Sport squads
Sport and Swimming Carnivals
Student leadership (SRC)
Connect, Succeed, Thrive and GEM program
Duke of Edinburgh
Longitudinal environmental monitoring study of local water ways.
National History Competitions
Writing Competitions

Across NSW

The Premier’s Debating Challenge develops skills in teamwork, logic, persuasive text, and confidence in public speaking.
Southern Stars Arena Spectacular of the performing arts
The Representative School Sport Pathway, PSSA and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.