High potential and gifted education

At Robertson Public School, high potential and gifted education (HPGE) is an integral part of our vibrant, inclusive learning environment. With 152 students, we have the unique advantage of knowing every child’s story, allowing us to identify and nurture exceptional talents across our semi-rural setting and turn potential into purposeful achievement.

Our teachers work within professional learning teams to identify student needs, applying explicit, evidence-based teaching strategies to extend and challenge every learner. We provide diverse pathways for growth, including enrichment programs, complex extension tasks, and STEAM-focused challenges. In line with our collaborative spirit, we identify students across the cognitive, creative, physical, and social-emotional domains, and we highly value the insights and partnerships of our families in this process.

We pride ourselves on creating "classrooms without ceilings"—spaces where risk-taking is celebrated and collaboration is key. Our HPGE approach is supported by responsive learning programs and targeted instruction, ensuring that students, particularly in the cognitive domain, engage with open-ended activities that match their individual level of challenge.

Through flexible groupings and leadership opportunities, we align our practice with the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE policy, focusing on the four essential domains:

• Intellectual (Cognitive) Domain: We offer deep inquiry and advanced thinking tasks, often enhanced by our latest learning technologies and robotics, to nurture intellectual development.
• Creative Domain: Leveraging our strong Creative and Performing Arts and Instrumental Music programs, we support students in developing original ideas and artistic expression.
• Physical Domain: Through our diverse sports programs and active outdoor learning, we encourage physical growth, coordination, and athletic excellence.
• Social-Emotional Domain: Integrated with The Resilience Project and Peer Support, we promote the emotional resilience and self-awareness necessary for our high potential learners to thrive socially and emotionally.

At Robertson Public School, we are dedicated to fostering the whole child. By recognising potential in all its forms, we ensure every student is empowered to dream big and achieve their goals.

At Robertson Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is a vital part of our core business. We recognise and nurture the unique talents of every student by providing flexible, diverse, and enriching opportunities that support growth across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical domains.

By blending our rich traditions with innovative, forward-thinking practices, we ensure our high-potential learners are consistently challenged and engaged.

Here are some of the diverse opportunities available to support the talent development of students at Robertson Public School:

• Instrumental Music Program: Including individual tuition and ensemble opportunities.
• Creative Arts: Performance opportunities through our dance groups, choirs, and the highlight End of Year performance.
• Young REPS: Our dedicated environmental education and sustainability leadership group.
• STEAM & Innovation: Engaging with robotics, virtual reality, and advanced learning technologies.
• Sporting Excellence: Interschool sport competitions and representative sport pathways (PSSA).
• Leadership & Voice: Student Representative Council (SRC) and public speaking opportunities.
• Strategic Thinking: School chess club and coding challenges.
• Wellbeing & Connection: Evidence-based support through The Resilience Project and Peer Support.
• Enriched Learning: Curriculum-aligned excursions, incursions, and our overnight school camp program.

Through these pathways, we ensure that our students don't just learn—they excel, explore their passions, and develop the resilience needed to succeed in an ever-changing world

1. The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
2. Premiers Spelling Challenge
3. Multicultural Public Speaking
4. The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.