Inspire – High potential and gifted education (HPGE)
What is 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.
Intellectual –
- HPGE classes (Years 7–10) for identified students
- Advanced problem-solving, abstract thinking and deep inquiry
- Differentiated curriculum with acceleration, extension and higher-order learning
- Explicit teaching of metacognition, research and analytical skills
Physical –
- SPORT program and Stage 5 electives such as PASS
- Advanced skill development, mentoring and performance pathways
- Support for competitive and talent identification opportunities
- VET Pathways for Stage 6 students
Creative –
- Participation in creative groups, clubs and extracurricular programs
- Stage 5 HPGE electives (e.g. Visual Arts, Timber)
- Open-ended, real-world challenges that promote innovation and originality
- HPGE Showcases each Semester
Social-Emotional –
- Years 7–9 participate in weekly wellbeing lessons developing resilience, goal setting, emotional regulation and growth mindset
- Leadership opportunities including SRC, Interact, JrAECG and clubs
- Strength-based reflection and restorative practices embedded across learning
Whole School Approach
- HPGE Identification Days and strength profiling
- Individual learning and pathway planning (Years 9–12)
- Stage 6 subject selection aligned to strengths and career goals
- Inclusive practices supporting gifted students with disability
- Academic enrichment, targeted programs and project-based learning
Inclusive Practice – Kuta-Kaya
- Gifted students with disability supported under the Disability Standards for Education (2005).
- Strength-based IEP/ITP planning linked directly to teaching and learning programs.
- Cross-curricular and project-based learning opportunities.
- Authentic assessment monitoring (pre, mid and post).
- Talent development pathways equivalent to other HPGE students.
Beyond the Classroom
Students are encouraged to, and provided opportunities to, engage in:
- Academic competitions
- Sporting representation
- Creative showcases and performances
- Community partnerships and purpose-driven projects
What does HPGE look like at Kurri Kurri High School?
At Kurri Kurri High School, HPGE is about more than extension — it is about developing strengths, building resilience and creating pathways for excellence across all domains of potential.
Enrichment Class Year 7
The Year 7 Enrichment Class is an opportunity for students to work collaboratively and extend their academic potential. Enrichment students will engage in explicitly taught learning opportunities with their teachers to consolidate and deepen their understanding of stage 4 skills and concepts. However, students in Enrichment focus on working collaboratively and creatively to make connections in their learning and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to real world problem solving. Students will be working with curriculum experts throughout the school to extend their knowledge in allkey learning areas such as English, HSIE, Science and Mathematics. Students will use these skills to explore key concepts and knowledge in more depth to evaluate and manipulate their learning.
Students are identified through a rigorous selection process in Year 6 in line with the Inspire – High potential and gifted education policy and will be required to present samples of work which demonstrate their academic abilities and their commitment and motivation to learning.
Students are encouraged to approach the Enrichment Class learning experience in a mature and independent way, working collaboratively with their peers and alongside their teachers to extend and achieve to their academic potential, and strive for personal excellence. They need to commit to bringing a learning device every day.
To apply:
1. Complete an application for 2026. Applications are open Monday, May 25 2025 - Friday, July 25 2025
Year 7 Enrichment Class student application form
2. Ask your child’s Year 6 teacher to submit a recommendation
Year 6 Teacher recommendation form
3. Attend an interview (Monday, August 4, 2025)
4. Bring 3 work samples.
5. Tues November 4 and 11 HPGE Workshops
Enrichment Classes Beyond Year 7
For students currently in Year 7 they will have the opportunity to apply for a placement in the Year 8 Enrichment Class.
Year 8 Enrichment Class 2026 Application form
For students currently in Year 8 they will have the opportunity to apply for the High Potential Strand in Quest (English, HSIE and PDHPE) and / or STEM (Science and Mathematics).
Year 9 High Potential 2026 Application form
Year 10 High Potential 2026 Application form
The selection process for these placements is extremely rigorous and includes the collation of multiple data sources including: student application, attendance rates, NAPLAN results, teacher recommendation, and student performance on a specially designed High Potential day and activities designed to demonstrate strengths in areas of the High Potential Learning Characteristics.
Placement in these classes are highly sought after and require students to have a dedicated focus on their learning. All students have been emailed the relevant application form, information and are encouraged to apply.
If you require further information, then please do not hesitate to contact your student’s Year Advisor.