High potential and gifted education
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.
Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?
Recognising potential and developing talent
Collaroy Plateau Public School recognises the need for all children to achieve their potential in learning. Our teachers find potential and nurture our students to be the best they can be. Consequently, we offer extension and enrichment opportunities in the form of:
- External Maths and English Competitions
- In school Writing, Speechmaking and Art competitions
- Enrichment activities built into class programs
- Participation in school enrichment programs and competitions
- Participation in enrichment classes offered by our local high schools
- Enrichment programs offered before, during and after school
- Participation in school and external competitions
- External Department of Education camps for Maths, Science, Dance, Music and Visual Arts
Tailored lessons
Each student possesses unique abilities, strengths, and learning styles that contribute to their individual educational journey. Recognising these differences, teachers tailor their instructional approaches to meet the diverse needs of every learner in the classroom. By providing extra challenges and extension activities, educators ensure that students who grasp concepts quickly remain motivated and inspired, while those who require additional support receive the targeted assistance necessary for their growth. This personalised approach not only keeps learning exciting and engaging for all students but also fosters a supportive environment where each child can thrive, build confidence, and reach their full potential. Through ongoing assessment and thoughtful adaptation, teachers create inclusive learning experiences that celebrate individual progress and encourage continuous intellectual curiosity.
Rich opportunities and activities
Students can take part in opportunities to develop their talent in the arts, sport, leadership and more.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Research indicates that participation in extracurricular activities positively correlates with students’ development both academically and personally. Students who participate in extracurricular activities have greater academic success, greater character development, especially in the areas of time- management and leadership skills, more positive social development, and greater interest in community involvement.
CPPS continues to excel in the field of extra-curricular activities, thanks to the dedication and commitment of our amazing teaching staff who have interests and talents in a range of areas. We are also fortunate to have the P&C band and dance committees support our band and dance extra- curricular programs for Years 3-6.
Thank you to our dedicated team of staff who support a range of extra- curricular programs at CPPS.
CPPS has a range of extra-curricular opportunities, such as:
- Art Club
- Drama Club
- Debating
- Chess
- Choirs (K-2, 3-6, Glee Club and Signing Choir)
- Dance (P&C coordinated)
- Bands (P&C coordinated)
- Photography club
- Year 1 & 2 Dance (school coordinated)
- Year 1 & 2 Games and Puzzles
- Maths Olympiad
- G.A.T.E.W.A.Y.S Critical Thinking. Maths and English enrichment Days
- CROWS Network enrichment days
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. These include Debating, Public Speaking, competitive Dance and Drama performance opportunities and the possibility to join Representative Sports teams across a wide range of codes, with the opportunity to compete at high levels.
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 classrooms, the Creative domain is nurtured by providing students with opportunities to explore imagination, invention, and originality. We encourage innovative thinking through open-ended projects, the arts, and problem-solving tasks that allow students to express their unique ideas and creativity.
The Intellectual domain is supported through activities that develop critical thinking, reasoning, and the transfer of knowledge. Our programs challenge students to engage deeply with concepts, encouraging understanding beyond memorisation to application and analysis across subject areas.
Physical abilities in the Physical domain are fostered through a variety of sports, movement activities, and hands-on learning experiences that develop motor skills, coordination, and physical confidence. We value the role of physical development as part of each student’s holistic growth.
In the area of Social-emotional development, we provide structured opportunities for students to build self-management skills and positive relationships. Through collaborative learning, peer interaction, and social-emotional learning programs, students develop empathy, communication, and leadership abilities.
At Collaroy Plateau Public School, we recognise that every student brings a unique blend of natural abilities that fall within four broad domains of potential, as described in Françoys Gagné’s adapted Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT 2.0, 2009). These domains guide how we create opportunities in the classroom to support and challenge all students, including those with high potential and giftedness.
At Collaroy Plateau Public School, we understand that potential exists on a continuum, and each student’s needs vary. Our teaching approaches are flexible and responsive, ensuring that adjustments and targeted interventions are in place to support every learner’s growth across these interconnected domains. We are committed to creating an inclusive, engaging, and stimulating classroom environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.
The NSW Department of Education offers state-wide opportunities for primary-aged HPGE students across intellectual, creative, physical, and social-emotional domains through a combination of system-wide programs and school-based initiatives. System-wide offerings include programs like the STEM-focused Game Changer Challenge, the Sports Unit, and the Arts Unit, while schools support talent development through programs like the Premier's Spelling Bee, Premier's Debating Challenge, and various music, drama, dance, sporting, and leadership opportunities, such as the Young Leaders Conference, held at the Convention Centre, Darlinghurst.
CROWS Network Enrichment Day
Cromer PS, Collaroy Plateau PS and Wheeler Heights PS have formed a mini-network of schools within the Pittwater Network to provide unique opportunities for our school communities. This includes Enrichment Days being hosted across the three schools with a variety of workshops across the domains.
Local, Regional and National Sporting Competitions
Students participated in a tennis competition with other local schools.
Write a Book in A Day
Our senior students participated in Write a Book in a Day-where they had to write and illustrate a novel in 12 hours to raise vital funds for kids' cancer research.
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