High potential and gifted education
Pennant Hills High School promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every classroom across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains of potential, while explicitly identifying and addressing the learning needs of high potential and gifted students. We are committed to the provision of high-quality differentiated learning opportunities for all students.
To cater specifically to the intellectual domain of high potential and gifted students, Pennant Hills High School offers places in a High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) class in Year 7 and Year 8.
Students in these classes will engage in learning opportunities that challenge and inspire students to achieve and stretch their potential. Teachers are trained in pedagogical practice to provide lesson structure, content and assessment to enhance student outcomes.
Additionally, each individual Faculty offers a range of learning opportunities, alongside co-curricular activities designed to address the intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical needs of students. A selection of activities is included below:
- Artist Studies
- Written Assessment Tasks SAR, Essay, In-class tests
- Competitions (Ryde Eisteddfod, ASBOF)
- State Music Camps (Arts Unit - attendance via application)
- Ensembles
- Music Festival
- ENCORE (excursion + choir)
- Visual Arts Exhibition
- Schools Spectacular
- Ensembles
- Music Festival
- ENCORE (excursion + choir)
- Student Directed Drama Productions
- Music Camp
- Collaborative artmaking: class artwork creation
- Visual Arts Exhibition
- Peer showcase of work for biotechnology (Year 10)
- Science Olympiads (Year 11)
- Year 8 body systems models + presentations
- Student Research Project Year 10
- Year 9 primary school visit: Science Spectra week
- STEM Webinar (All Years)
- Olympiad games
- External Competition: APSMO – Olympiad & Maths Games
- External Competition: AMT – Australian Mathematics Competition
- HSC Acceleration
- Video competition
- Use Desmos and GeoGebra graphing tools: artistic drawing using graphs
- Olympiad Games: Group problem solving
- Design a chocolate bar/ presentation: developing social-emotional domain
- Timber: CAD/CAM
- Accelerated learning of Python concepts and programming logic
- Testing and modification of rubber band racers for more speed/ distance
- Design and development of unique GUI games using Python Tkinter
- High motor skills in use of hand tools and machinery
- Robotics coding and sensor integration with Micro: bit & Maqueen
- Peer mentoring through code reviews and feedback forums
- Team collaboration on group-based development of PWAs and web projects
and Depth Studies explore
through thorough research
the meanings of health
and the interrelationship of
body systems
- First Aid Course
- Dance Eisteddfods
- School Grade Sport
- NSWCHS Knockout Sport
- Athletics Carnival
- Cross Country
- Swimming Carnivals
- Different levels of School:
Zone, Regional, State and
National Level
opportunities
- Mentor younger students
in primary schools in
enrichment activities
- Exposure to specialised
coaching
- Geography and History
Competitions
- ASX Share Market Game
- History Hypotheticals
- Business Plans:
Hypothetical
(Year 8): Jousting Activity
and Extension: History
Protocols/Routines/
Graphic Organisers
scripts and accents
- Conversing and Interacting in another language (content, grammar but also filler words and culturally specific phrases, accent and pronunciation)
- Video calls with Japanese students
- Creative Writing Competitions
- Ext 2 English Feast Night
- Debating
- Public Speaking
- Ext 2 English Feast Night
- Graphic representations of
Literature
illustration using computer
aided design
- Managing dietary
requirements in Food
technology when working
collaboratively during food
preparation
- Working collaboratively in
the food tech kitchens to
plan, prepare and present
quality dishes
Mainstream Classes e.g.
Science, English, Visual
Arts, Textiles and Music
- Sydney North Representation
- Ku-ring-gai Zone Representation
- State Representation in Swimming, Athletics & Cross Country
- Community Access
- TAFE Access
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 such as The Duke of Edinburgh Program 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 such as our band and choir programs 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.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking.
- Advanced learning pathways, including accelerated or compacted content.
- Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects.
- Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance.
- Academic competitions
- Music ensembles
- Debating
- Sport tournaments
- The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
- The Representative School Sport Pathway, Combined High School Sports Association (CHSSA) events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
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