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 Robert Townson High School, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive. Our HPGE class and the teachers within each KLA can recognise HPGE students within the domains and differentiate accordingly to challenge and peruse the success of each child.

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?

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.

The Domains

Creative Domain

Students are inspired to embrace innovation and showcase their individuality through creative problem-solving, purposeful design thinking, and expressive learning experiences across both classroom and co-curricular programs.

Intellectual Domain

High potential learners are extended through purposeful enrichment and acceleration embedded within classroom practice, encouraging curiosity, strengthening critical and analytical thinking, and driving academic excellence.

Physical Domain

We recognise and nurture students’ strengths in sport, movement, and physical performance through targeted programs, including whole-school sport and health-focused initiatives.

Social-Emotional Domain

We place a strong focus on student wellbeing and leadership development, fostering resilience, empathy, and collaboration through initiatives such as School Leadership Pathways and a range of wellbeing programs.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

Robert Townson High School is committed to the NSW DoE High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Policy and proudly offers a targeted HPGE class from Years 7 to 10. In addition, our Centres of Excellence provide specialised pathways that nurture high potential across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. Through these programs, we actively identify, develop and support students with high potential and giftedness, ensuring they are challenged, extended and empowered to excel.

In our classroom

At Robert Townson High School, we foster high potential and gifted education through inclusive, engaging, and challenging classroom practice. Learning experiences promote deep thinking, curiosity, and creativity, with opportunities for inquiry, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. Differentiated teaching, flexible learning structures, and targeted feedback ensure students are appropriately extended, supported, and empowered to achieve excellence.

Across our school

At Robert Townson High School, excellence is driven through a coordinated, whole-school approach to teaching, learning, and wellbeing. Our inclusive culture values diversity, student voice, and high expectations, ensuring every learner is supported to thrive. Consistent school-wide practices strengthen engagement, wellbeing, and achievement across all learning areas. Through rich academic, creative, sporting, and leadership opportunities, students are encouraged to develop confidence, capability, and aspiration. Our staff work collaboratively using evidence-based practice to meet individual learning needs, while strong partnerships with families, community organisations, and external providers enhance pathways and prepare students for future success.

Across NSW

Across NSW and beyond, students at Robert Townson High School engage in high-level learning, performance, and leadership opportunities through a coordinated whole-school approach. Students participate in zone, regional, and state sporting pathways, developing teamwork, resilience, and excellence. Academic enrichment opportunities support the development of confident communicators and critical thinkers. Through industry-linked learning, community partnerships, and school-based enrichment initiatives, students are provided with authentic experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom and strengthen future pathways.

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.

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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