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 our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.

We are proud to offer the High potential and gifted education (HPGE) programs designed to challenge and inspire our talented students. In Year 4, students have the opportunity to apply for access to AURORA College for Years 5 & 6, where they can engage in a dynamic curriculum tailored to their abilities while still attending Callala Public School. Our HPGE programs also include a range pf enriching activities such as Creative and Performing Arts, allowing students to explore their artistic talents, as well as specialised initiatives like the Maths Olympiad and advanced English coursework. These programs aim to foster a love for learning and encourage critical thinking, creativitiy, and collaboration among our gifted learners.

Join us in nurturing the potential of our future leaders.

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.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.

In our classroom

In the intellectual domain, we provide opportunities for students to excel through activities such as public speaking, debating and STEM initiatives that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Recent programs have included the Premier’s Debating Challenge, STEM program within the community of schools network, Mathematics Olympiad and extension writing groups. In addition, we work in partnership with Aurora College, a virtual selective school servicing rural and remote students providing selective opportunity class cohort for Years 5 and 6 students. The aim is to allow students to enjoy a depth of study that was previously only available in metropolitan areas or boarding schools.

For our creative learners, we offer a vibrant array of experiences in music, dance drama and visual arts. This includes the opportunity to join the Wakakirri Dance Team culminating in a performance at eh Wollongong Entertainment Centre. In music, students can join the school choir and participate in the Shoalhaven Choral Festival, we have also supported solo artists in participating in School Spectacular. In addition to the comprehensive music curriculum, in which students in each grade learn a different musical instrument, our Year 6 students participate in rock band program, performing a song with their bands at the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony. We also have private music tutors available for students who wish to continue their musical journey. In visual arts, recent programs have included visual art HPGE groups with artworks being used for art exhibitions and competitions to encourage exploration and expression. A highlight for students is clay work using staff expertise, pottery wheel and kiln.

Our social domain

Our social domain initiatives are designed to build leadership and collaboration skills, with all Year 6 students involved in our leadership program. All students in Years 5 and 6 participate in the ASPIRE leadership program to develop skills in leadership and encourage those with high potential in the social domain to pursue opportunities. In addition, the school elects School Captains and Vice captains from Year 6 to represent the students. Every year our Captains attend the GRIP Leadership Conference in Wollongong with school leaders from other local schools in the area. This provides an excellent opportunity to build capacity and networking opportunities. There are also elections for Sports Captains from the Year 5 and 6 representatives of each House group. We have an active and engage Student Representative Council (SRC) with students elected form each class from Kindergarten to Year 6. The SRC have weekly meetings and provide student voice to important decisions that impact students, reporting to the principal and P&C. Additionally, our peer support and buddy program pairs Kindergarten students with Year 6 mentors to foster meaningful connections.

Our physical domain

In the physical domain, we provide opportunities for students to excel in the physical domain. Students are encouraged to develop through active participation in knock-out competitions, PSSA sports, representative sport, and various carnivals, including swimming, athletics, and cross country. We also provide students with opportunities to represent not only the school but also the region and state in various sporting events. A highlight and unique opportunity is our Sailing Program. Students in Year 5 and 6 have the opportunity to learn how to sail with the support of the Jerivs Bay Sailing Club. This is a fantastic opportunity which has led to past students representing NSW in competitive sailing.