Inspire – High potential and gifted education
Inspire – High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is a framework that supports students to develop and extend their strengths across intellectual, physical, creative and social-emotional domains.
At Busby Public School, we are committed to identifying and supporting students with high potential across the intellectual, physical, creative and social-emotional domains, in line with the NSW Department of Education’s Inspire – High potential and gifted education Policy. Through quality teaching, targeted enrichment opportunities and a supportive learning environment, we aim to nurture each student’s strengths and provide opportunities for them to extend their talents, develop confidence and achieve their potential.
Students are supported through differentiated classroom learning, enrichment programs and leadership opportunities that challenge thinking, encourage creativity and promote collaboration.
HPGE Opportunities at Busby Public School
Intellectual Domain
Extending academic thinking, innovation and problem-solving
Students with high potential in the intellectual domain are supported through innovative learning opportunities that develop critical thinking, inquiry and creativity.
• EDGE AI Innovation Classes – Students use artificial intelligence tools and personalised learning pathways to deepen understanding and problem-solving skills.
• Inquiry and Project-Based Learning – Students design solutions and projects that reflect our school values of Kindness, Respect, Courage, Curiosity and Unity.
• Advanced Literacy and Numeracy Extension – Targeted programs provide additional challenge through differentiated tasks and higher-order thinking.
• STEM Enrichment – Students participate in robotics, coding, esports and virtual reality learning experiences.
• Excursions and Future Pathways – Opportunities such as the Amazon Robotics learning experience and UOW Science Space Centre support STEM exploration.
• Academic Competitions – Students represent Busby in enrichment events such as the Creative Domain HPGE Tournament.
• Future Pathways Programs – Stage 3 students participate in programs such as Become, exploring careers and leadership pathways.
Creative Domain
Developing creativity, artistic expression and performance
Students are supported to explore and extend their creativity through a range of visual, performing and cultural arts experiences.
• Creative Arts Extension Opportunities – Students explore creativity through visual arts, storytelling, performance and digital creation, encouraging imagination and innovation.
• Design and Innovation Projects – Collaborative design challenges allow students to develop creative solutions to real-world problems and present their ideas to authentic audiences.
• Cultural Arts and Performance – Students participate in cultural storytelling, dance, art and performance opportunities that celebrate the diversity of our community.
• Community Performances – Cultural dance groups representing Aboriginal, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern communities perform at school and community events, including the Liverpool Elevated Culture Festival.
Quick fact Creative Domain Champions
Busby students won the Creative Domain HPGE Tournament hosted by James Busby High School in 2025.
Physical Domain
Developing sporting talent, teamwork and physical performance
Students with high potential in sport are supported through a range of opportunities that build skill, confidence and competitive experience.
• HPGE Sport Development Program – High potential students participate in targeted sport programs designed to refine skills, teamwork and athletic performance.
• PSSA Representative Sport – Students represent Busby in PSSA competitions, with several progressing to Zone and Sydney South West levels.
• Sport Skill Development Programs – Programs such as Educ8Sport provide coaching from qualified instructors to strengthen coordination, fitness and advanced sport skills.
• Sporting Events and Pathways – Students participate in school athletics carnivals, competitive sport opportunities and the annual Swim Scheme, building water safety, resilience and teamwork.
Social–Emotional Domain
Developing leadership, resilience and student voice
Students are supported to build confidence, leadership skills and positive relationships through a range of opportunities.
• Student Leadership Opportunities – Students develop leadership through roles such as School Ambassadors, Children’s Parliament and participation in school and community initiatives.
• Community and Cultural Leadership – Programs including the Pasifika Support Network and cultural initiatives help students build identity, confidence and connection with community.
• Leadership Experiences – Stage 3 camp and leadership programs support independence, teamwork and resilience.
• Wellbeing and Engagement Programs – Initiatives such as RISE, PCYC GRIT and Yatimba strengthen communication, confidence and positive relationships.
How Students Are Identified for HPGE Opportunities
At Busby Public School, we recognise that students demonstrate high potential in different ways and at different times. Teachers use a range of information to identify students who may benefit from additional enrichment and extension opportunities.
Students may be identified through:
HPGE Pathways at Busby Public School
At Busby Public School, opportunities to extend students’ strengths develop progressively across each stage of learning. As students grow, they are provided with increasing opportunities to explore their talents, develop leadership skills and participate in enrichment experiences.
Students begin to discover their strengths and interests through rich classroom learning and early enrichment opportunities.
• Differentiated classroom learning in literacy and numeracy
• Early STEM experiences including technology and problem-solving activities
• Creative arts experiences including music, dance and performance
• Cultural learning opportunities and participation in school events
• Development of confidence, curiosity and collaboration skills
Students begin to extend their talents through enrichment opportunities and broader learning experiences.
• STEM learning including robotics, coding and digital technologies
• Science investigations and excursions such as the UOW Science Space Centre
• Creative arts programs and cultural performances
• Participation in PSSA sport and school sporting carnivals
• Leadership opportunities within the classroom and school
Students are provided with opportunities to further develop their talents, leadership and future pathways.
• Academic competitions and enrichment opportunities
• Leadership programs including Ambassadors and Children’s Parliament
• Participation in STEM programs, esports and robotics activities
• Stage 3 camp experiences that develop independence and teamwork
• Future pathways programs such as Become
Students may also represent the school in creative arts performances, sport pathways and academic competitions, including the Creative Domain HPGE Tournament.
Supporting Every Student’s Potential
Through quality teaching, enrichment opportunities and strong partnerships with families and the community, Busby Public School supports students to discover their strengths and develop their talents as learners and leaders.
Why HPGE Matters at Busby
At Busby Public School, we believe every student has strengths that deserve to be recognised and nurtured. Inspire – High potential and gifted education provides opportunities for students to extend their learning, explore their interests and develop confidence in their abilities.
Through quality teaching, enrichment programs and strong partnerships with families, we support students to discover their potential and thrive as learners and leaders.
Partnering with Families
At Busby Public School, we value strong partnerships with families in supporting students with high potential. Parents and carers often have valuable insights into their child’s interests, strengths and talents both inside and outside of school.
If you believe your child demonstrates high potential in areas such as learning, creativity, sport or leadership, we encourage you to speak with your child’s teacher or contact the school. Working together helps us ensure that students are supported with appropriate opportunities to extend their learning and develop their talents.
Through open communication and collaboration, we can continue to provide learning experiences that challenge, inspire and support every student to achieve their potential.
At Busby Public School, every student has the opportunity to discover their strengths and shine.
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?
HPGE stands for Inspire – High potential and gifted education. It means providing learning experiences that meet the needs of students who show exceptional abilities or talents. At our school, we understand that giftedness isn’t just about being great at schoolwork — it can show in many different ways.
The NSW Department of Education identifies four important areas, or domains, where students might show high potential:
- Intellectual: Thinking deeply and solving complex problems.
- Creative: Using imagination to come up with original ideas and solutions.
- Academic: Achieving high results and understanding subjects quickly.
- Social and Emotional: Being aware of feelings and building strong relationships.
By recognising these areas, we make sure every student’s strengths are supported and challenged, helping them to grow and achieve their best.
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
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