High potential and gifted education (HPGE)

Department of Education (DoE) – HPGE Policy

The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy promote engagement and challenge for every student in every school. The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school. The policy also identifies and addresses the learning needs of high-potential and gifted students.

What do we mean by High potential and Gifted students?

High potential and gifted students have advanced learning ability compared to same-age students and require deliberate talent development opportunities including differentiated teaching and learning practices to ensure their unique learning needs are met. High potential and gifted students come from all backgrounds and can have disability.

Definitions

Domains of HPGE

The domains of potential may not be mutually exclusive and are highly influenced by one another.

Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus (GRCOSC) – HPGE Commitment

Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus is committed to delivering equitable, high-quality learning experiences that uphold the principles of equity, excellence and high expectations for all students. In line with the High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, we provide evidence-informed opportunities for talent development so that students with high potential — across the intellectual, creative, physical and social–emotional domains — are engaged, challenged and supported to achieve personal excellence.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted student?

Our programs are designed to nurture the talents of students who display high potential in a range of areas, creating a demand for diverse opportunities within and beyond the classroom. Through intentional planning, inclusive practices and ongoing evaluation, we aim to foster a culture where all learners can thrive.

At GRCOSC, students are encouraged to extend themselves across subjects and through a variety of extra-curricular programs that promote challenge, innovation, a growth mindset and problem-solving. They have access to a breadth of enrichment opportunities including academic competitions, workshops, extension classes, clubs, performance opportunities, showcases and sporting activities that inspire excellence and personal growth.

Our dedicated teachers are passionate educators who bring out the best in every student through innovative teaching, expert coaching, and a commitment to developing each learner’s potential.

Programs

Intellectual Domain

At Oatley Senior Campus, we offer a comprehensive program designed to extend and challenge students across the Intellectual domain. The program promotes intellectual development through a broad curriculum that includes extension courses, acceleration and an English Extension Program. Learning is differentiated through a three-tier model and supported by cluster groupings that foster collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking.

Our program offers the high academic standards that students who may be considering selective high school are seeking, but in a setting that provides a holistic approach through greater opportunities in the creative and performing arts, music, sport and leadership within a socially cohesive and community-focused environment.

Students are provided with a variety of enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. These include debating workshops and competitions, the Premier’s Debating Challenge for Year 11, the Plain English Speaking Competition, Lions Youth of the Year and a range of university, state and national competitions. Such experiences encourage students to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills while engaging in rigorous intellectual challenges.

Our partnerships with universities and industry also offer authentic learning pathways and exposure to future careers. Students have the opportunity to participate in the University of Wollongong Discovery Day, the UNSW Leaders Conference, Co-Op Scholarship Workshops, Women in Computing Work Experience and the University of NSW Partnership Gateway. They may also be selected to represent the school in the RACI Titration Competition and Wisetech Cadetships.

Creative Domain:

At Oatley Senior Campus, students who display high potential in the Creative domain are provided with a wide range of opportunities to explore, extend and refine their talents. Students are able to develop their creativity through the curriculum offered by the Technological and Applied Studies and Creative and Performing Arts faculties, with courses such as Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama.

Evidence of success in the Creative domain is regularly demonstrated at the HSC level, with students frequently recognised by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) through selection for distinguished showcases and exhibitions. Their achievements reflect the high academic and creative standards of our programs, which foster innovation, imagination and artistic excellence within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our program offers the high standards that students considering selective or specialised creative pathways are seeking, but within a setting that provides a holistic approach — offering greater opportunities in performance, collaboration, leadership and community engagement. The emphasis on creative and critical thinking enables students to develop both their technical skills and their capacity for innovation.

Beyond the classroom, Oatley Senior Campus offers a rich array of extra-curricular programs that allow students to further their creative expression. Students can participate in the Stage Band, Concert Band and Showcase performances, as well as the Big Band Blast, where they collaborate and perform at major events alongside peers from other schools.

Through partnerships such as the National Art School, students are given opportunities to extend their artistic expertise and connect with tertiary-level creative learning. These experiences, combined with participation in school-based and public performances, exhibitions and productions, ensure that Oatley Senior Campus students are well supported to pursue excellence in the Creative domain while developing the confidence, resilience, and artistry to thrive beyond school.

Physical Domain:

At Oatley Senior Campus, we have a proud culture of participation, teamwork and success in representative sport. Students with a passion and aptitude for physical activity are encouraged to engage in a broad range of sporting opportunities that promote skill development, leadership and school spirit. Our sporting program allows students to represent the college in both team and individual sports, building confidence, resilience and a strong sense of community.

The campus fields teams in a variety of sports, including basketball, netball, soccer, touch football, rugby league, futsal and volleyball. Many of these teams have achieved exceptional results at regional and state levels, with our students consistently demonstrating commitment, sportsmanship and teamwork. Students may also compete as individuals in athletics, cross country, swimming and gymnastics, with opportunities for selection into Sydney East, NSW Combined High Schools (CHS), State, and National Representative Teams.

Leadership is also a key focus of our sporting culture. Through Mentorship Programs with Primary Schools, students are given opportunities to develop coaching and leadership skills by supporting younger students in sport and physical activity programs. This initiative fosters responsibility, communication and teamwork while strengthening community connections.

The Oatley Senior Campus sport program not only celebrates athletic achievement but also emphasises personal growth, wellbeing and leadership. By engaging in competitive and mentoring opportunities, students develop the perseverance, confidence, and collaborative spirit that prepare them to succeed both on and off the field.

Social/Emotional Domain:

At Oatley Senior Campus, opportunities for high potential and gifted students in the Social and Emotional domain are embedded within our leadership pathways, wellbeing initiatives, mentoring programs and social responsibility activities. These programs are designed to empower students to develop resilience, empathy and confidence while building the skills required to lead and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Leadership development is a key feature of the Oatley Senior Campus experience. Students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles through the Prefecture, the highest honour at graduation, as well as through a range of Leadership and Mentoring Programs. These experiences nurture responsibility, teamwork and service, encouraging students to act as positive role models and advocates for their peers.

Our Wellbeing Programs, including Inspire 180 and Wellio, focus on personal development, goal setting and fostering a growth mindset. The Senior Success Program further supports students in navigating the challenges of Years 11 and 12, helping them to build balance, confidence and self-awareness as they prepare for life beyond school.

Our commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship is reflected through our Environmental Committee, including Streamwatch, which engages students in sustainability, conservation and community outreach. These initiatives promote active citizenship by involving students in awareness campaigns, fundraising and hands-on environmental projects that make a tangible difference locally and globally.

Through these programs, Oatley Senior Campus supports students to grow as compassionate, reflective, and capable young adults. The emphasis on wellbeing, leadership, and social responsibility ensures that students not only achieve academically but also develop the emotional intelligence, confidence and purpose to thrive as future leaders and engaged citizens.

Enrichment in Years 11 and 12

At Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus, students in Years 11 and 12 have access to a broad and academically rigorous selection of courses leading to the Higher School Certificate (HSC). These courses are designed to challenge and extend high potential and gifted students, fostering academic excellence and personal growth.

The campus offers the full suite of HSC English and Mathematics courses, including Extension 1 and Extension 2 levels. Students can also select from an extensive range of science courses, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, and Investigating Science.

Within the Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) faculty, students can study Ancient History, Modern History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Legal Studies, and Society and Culture. Our Languages Other Than English (LOTE) staff are highly qualified language specialists, providing opportunities for students to study Modern Greek, Italian, French, Japanese, and Chinese to HSC level. The PDHPE faculty offers highly relevant courses for students interested in health, fitness and sports science pathways.

Our senior curriculum also offers a full and diverse range of subjects in Creative and Performing Arts, Technological and Applied Studies and Vocational Education enabling students to pursue their interests, talents and future goals. Further information on all Stage 6 courses can be found on our school website.

Exceptional Student Achievement

Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus has a proud tradition of academic excellence, reflected in consistently strong HSC results and student success in external competitions and showcases. Recent achievements include:

• Top ATARs of 99.0 (2024) and 99.15 (2023)
• Value-added HSC data measured at Excelling from 2016–2024
• Students named on the Premier’s All-Round Achievers List
• Consistently above state and statistically similar school group (SSSG) performance in HSC English and Mathematics
• Students achieving Band 6 or Band E4 results and ranking among the highest in the state for HSC and VET courses
• Students recognised annually on the HSC Distinguished Achievers List
• Major works nominated and exhibited in OnSTAGE, ARTEXPRESS, Art Rules, SHAPE, and Callback

Teacher Professional Learning

Teachers engage in ongoing professional learning each fortnight, focusing on differentiation, explicit teaching, sharing effective practice and supporting students’ social and emotional wellbeing. This ensures that all students have access to high-quality teaching and learning strategies that meet their individual needs. A key priority of the school’s professional learning program is developing teachers’ understanding of how to personalise learning to support every student to achieve their potential.

Help for your high potential child

If your child demonstrates high potential, we would love to hear from you. Contact us to learn how our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs can support and extend their learning journey.

Contact us