High potential and gifted education

At Rous Public School, we recognise that high potential exists in many forms and across all learners. Our approach to High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is embedded within everyday teaching and learning practices and is guided by a strong focus on formative assessment, evidence-based pedagogy, and effective differentiation to meet the diverse learning needs of every student.

Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies Supporting All Students

Use of Formative Assessment Tools
Teachers regularly use diagnostic assessments, observation checklists, student self-assessments, and ongoing feedback to identify individual strengths and areas for growth across multiple domains. This timely and purposeful data informs lesson planning and differentiation, supporting continuous improvement, engagement, and personalised learning pathways.

Differentiated Learning Tasks and Flexible Grouping
Learning experiences are designed with varying levels of complexity and challenge. Students work independently, collaboratively, or in flexible groupings based on readiness, interests, or learning needs. This approach ensures appropriate challenge, promotes collaboration and leadership, and supports motivation, social development, and academic growth.

High Expectations Embedded in Lesson Planning
Teachers consistently communicate high expectations through clearly articulated learning intentions that emphasise higher-order thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to set personal learning goals and reflect on their progress, fostering a growth mindset, resilience, and self-efficacy, which leads to deeper learning and higher achievement.

Student Leadership and Voice
Students are provided with opportunities to take leadership roles in classroom learning, projects, discussions, and school initiatives aligned with their interests and strengths. Active participation in goal setting, reflection, and self-assessment promotes student agency, motivation, and leadership development.

Ongoing Professional Learning and Collaboration
Teachers engage in ongoing professional learning focused on HPGE practices and collaborate regularly to share expertise, analyse student data, and design differentiated curriculum units. This collective approach strengthens instructional quality and consistency, ensuring all students benefit from effective talent development and inclusive learning environments.

At Rous Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is a vital part of our core business. We recognise and nurture the unique talents of every student by providing flexible, diverse, and enriching opportunities that support growth across the academic, creative, social, and physical domains.

Opportunities Supporting Talent Development

Rous Public School offers a wide range of opportunities to develop student strengths, interests, and potential, including:

• Interschool sporting competitions
• Representative sport pathways
• Student Representative Council (SRC)
• Public speaking and debating
• Spelling Bees
• Rous RotaKids
• Choirs
• Music programs, including band, strings, and guitar ensembles
• Chess programs and competitions
• School camps
• School chickens and student-led animal care programs
• Whole school performance
• Wellbeing programs
• Curriculum-aligned excursions and incursions

These opportunities provide students with meaningful pathways to extend their learning, develop leadership skills, and explore their interests while fostering confidence, engagement, and excellence.

At Rous Public School, we actively participate in a wide range of statewide competitions and enrichment opportunities, providing students with meaningful experiences to challenge themselves, extend their learning, and perform at their personal best. Through this collaborative and enriched approach, we ensure that every student’s unique talents are recognised, developed, and celebrated.

Talent Development Opportunities

Students at Rous Public School have access to a variety of programs that support excellence across multiple domains, including:

• Tournament of Minds
• Game Changer Challenge
• School Spectacular
• Kids’ Lit Quiz
• NSW PSSA school sport pathways
• Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO)
• Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) enrichment programs