Inspire – High potential and gifted education

At Haberfield Public School, we believe every student should experience learning that inspires, extends and enables them to develop their unique talents. Guided by the NSW Department of Education’s Inspire – High potential and gifted education (HPGE) policy, we recognise that high potential can emerge in different ways and at different stages of a student’s development.

Our inclusive and purposeful talent development pathways are designed to identify and nurture individual student abilities across the four domains; intellectual, creative, physical and social– emotional. We achieve this through responsive teaching, differentiated learning and purposeful opportunities for extension which encourages students to think deeply, take intellectual risks, pursue their interests and continually build upon their strengths.

Through our comprehensive knowledge of giftedness and best practice in gifted education, we have successfully supported the talent development of thousands of students. For instance, we have over 30 years’ experience in expertly catering for the individual needs of advanced learners through our dedicated HPGE classes in Years 2 to 6 where like-minded peers work alongside each other, engaging in challenging and enriching learning opportunities. We also offer an extensive range of high quality, extracurricular extension opportunities in mathematics, English, science, drama and dance, alongside, music ensembles and competitive and representative sports. As a result of these opportunities and best practices in teaching, our school receives numerous offers for entry into Opportunity Classes in Year 5 and Selective High Schools in Year 7.

By providing meaningful challenge, high expectations, strong support and multiple enrichment opportunities, Haberfield Public School continues to support students to transform potential into achievement. Our Inspire-High potential gifted education pathways empower our students to pursue excellence as they develop the knowledge, confidence and resilience to thrive now and into the future.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

With decades of experience in high potential and gifted education, our staff are trained to recognise each student’s emerging potential across K–6. Our refined identification processes allow us to respond early and design purposeful talent development pathways that help students transform potential into achievement.

HPGE classes, differentiated curriculum and tailored lessons

We draw on extensive expertise in curriculum differentiation to provide the challenge, complexity and support HPGE learners need to thrive. Unique to Haberfield Public School, our dedicated HPGE classes from Years 2–6 bring like-minded peers together for advanced learning grounded in best practice in talent development.

Rich opportunities and activities

We pride ourselves on offering a wide-ranging collection of enrichment opportunities that span the intellectual, creative, physical and social–emotional domains. This variety allows us to nurture the whole child and create targeted talent development pathways shaped by each student’s unique strengths, interests and aspirations.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Talent development at Haberfield Public School extends far beyond the school gates through access to a wide range of prestigious programs, competitions and representative opportunities across NSW. These experiences challenge students to reach higher, connect with like-minded peers and further develop their potential into demonstrated talent and high performance.

What is high potential and gifted education?

Inspire – 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.
HPGE classes from Years 2-6.
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.
Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE.
Targeted learning goals for coordination, agility, and control.
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

HPGE classes from Years 2-6
Debating and Public Speaking
STEM and coding clubs
Academic competitions
Maths Olympiad and Maths Explorer
Tournament of Minds
Chess club and competitions
Critical thinking and enrichment workshops
Music ensembles
School Musicals
Dancesport Challenge
Fort St High School Mathematics and Science Program
Visual arts and drama showcases
Inter-school sports competitions
House competitions and sports carnivals
Peer mentoring
Student leadership
Wellbeing programs
Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives.

Across NSW

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 deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
Participation in music ensembles (e.g. State Wind Orchestra, State Choirs, Combined Schools Musical) hones our students’ musical skills, discipline and ensemble awareness.
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 events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.

Academic Competitions