High potential and gifted education

At our small school, we believe every child deserves personalised attention and the chance to shine. Because of our close-knit community and smaller class sizes, we can truly get to know your child’s strengths, interests, and learning style. This means we tailor learning experiences to challenge and engage high potential and gifted students in ways that suit them best. Our dedicated teachers are passionate about helping each child grow, think creatively, and solve problems — not just in the classroom, but in real life.

Choosing our school means your child will be part of a supportive environment where their unique talents are recognised and nurtured. We offer opportunities for enrichment and extension across subjects, encouraging curiosity and deep learning. Plus, with strong connections between families and staff, we work together to support your child’s educational journey every step of the way. At our school, your gifted child isn’t just a student — they’re a valued member of our learning family.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

teacher providing Hillside students support at desks in the classroom.

Recognising potential and developing talent

At Hillside Public School, in Sydney’s northwest, we take great care in recognising each child’s unique potential. With smaller class sizes and attentive staff, we’re able to observe and understand the individual strengths and talents of every student. Surrounded by natural bushland, our calm and inspiring environment supports children to express their creativity and curiosity. We believe recognising potential early is the first step in helping your child grow into confident, capable learners.

Hillside student sketching artwork from a laptop.

Tailored lessons

Our smaller classes allow teachers to personalise learning, ensuring lessons are carefully tailored to meet the needs of high potential and gifted students. Whether it’s extending problem-solving challenges, exploring complex ideas, or developing critical thinking skills, we adapt our teaching strategies to fit your child’s unique pace and style of learning. This personalised approach helps each student stay engaged, motivated, and excited about their education.

Students playing beach volleyball on the volleyball court.

Rich opportunities and activities

Students can take part in opportunities to develop their talent in the arts, sport, leadership and more. Learning at Hillside Public School goes beyond textbooks. We offer a variety of rich activities to engage high potential and gifted students — from creative projects to hands-on problem solving. Our facilities include open play spaces, a tennis court, ipads/laptops allocated to each student, robotics, dancing, French lessons, and uniquely, NSW’s only beach volleyball court, providing physical activity options that encourage teamwork and leadership. These diverse experiences support well-rounded development, creativity, and social skills.

Hillside students picking peaches from a tree (Canoelands Orchard excursion).

Opening doors to wider experiences

At Hillside Public School we believe in connecting learning to the wider world. Our school’s location near bushland offers natural settings for exploration and discovery, helping students link their classroom learning with real-life experiences. Additionally, we actively seek opportunities for students to engage with broader communities through excursions, competitions, and Small Schools partnerships, enriching their education and opening doors to new perspectives and possibilities.

What is high potential and gifted education?

High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs. High Potential and Gifted Education is a way of supporting children who learn quickly, show strong abilities, or have special talents. These students often enjoy exploring ideas deeply, solving tricky problems, and being challenged beyond the usual classroom work. The goal is to help them grow their skills and interests by offering learning activities that are more advanced, creative, and engaging. This kind of education recognises that every child learns differently, so it provides support that fits their individual needs, helping them to reach their full potential and enjoy learning every day.

We identify, promote and foster High Potential students through: