High potential and gifted education

At Darlington Public School, high potential and gifted education (HPGE) is embedded in everyday classroom practice. Many of our students demonstrate exceptional abilities, and we are committed to nurturing these strengths so every learner can thrive.

Our teachers identify individual learning needs and use evidence-informed strategies to challenge, extend, and support students. A range of learning pathways—such as enrichment, extension, differentiated tasks, and acceleration—ensures each student is engaged at an appropriate level of challenge. Students may be identified as having high potential across the cognitive, creative, physical, and social-emotional domains, with family insights welcomed in this process. This information is shared across the school to ensure consistent, effective support.

We create supportive classroom environments where students feel a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to take risks, think creatively, and collaborate. Flexible grouping, opportunities for student leadership, and strengths-based feedback with clear learning goals and self-assessment are integral to our approach.

Our practices align with the NSW Department of Education’s HPGE policy, fostering student growth across four key domains:

• Creative: Developing original thinking, problem-solving, and artistic expression.
• Intellectual (Cognitive): Providing deep inquiry and advanced learning experiences.
• Physical: Supporting physical development, skill-building, and wellbeing.
• Social-Emotional: Building resilience, self-awareness, and positive relationships.

At Darlington Public School, we are dedicated to recognising and developing the whole child—ensuring every student’s potential is noticed, nurtured, and celebrated.

At Darlington Public School, every student is recognised as an individual, and we provide flexible, diverse opportunities for all learners to grow, shine, and extend their talents beyond the classroom. Our programs support students across the creative, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional domains, ensuring a rich and balanced HPGE experience.

We celebrate talent through a wide range of creative arts opportunities, including school musicals, dance ensembles, visual arts, drama, choir, music ensembles, and weekly guitar lessons. Students also participate in combined schools’ events such as the Port Jackson Performing Arts Festival, with a Strings Program and combined band returning in 2026.

Leadership is cultivated through the Leadership Council, Student Representative Council, House Captaincy, peer mentoring, canteen monitors, and other school leadership roles. Wellbeing is made visible and supported through weekly PBL awards, our wellbeing program, the support of the school counsellor, and whole-school inclusion initiatives.

Sport plays an important role in school life, with PSSA teams, representative pathways, training and coaching, house competitions, and differentiated physical education to meet diverse abilities. Students also access programs that extend their thinking and communication skills, including debating, public speaking, chess, academic competitions, and art and chess interest groups.

A wide range of additional opportunities—such as Musica Viva, Bell Shakespeare, cultural activities, excursions, incursions, gymnastics, dance, band, learn-to-swim, and peer coaching—ensure students can explore their interests and develop new strengths.

Our staff engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure our practices are aligned with current research and best support the needs of high potential and gifted learners.

At Darlington Public School, we are committed to providing rich, meaningful experiences that empower every student to flourish across all areas of development.

At Darlington Public School, students engage in a broad range of statewide programs that extend and enrich their potential across multiple domains. We actively support students in accessing NSW Department of Education initiatives designed for high potential and gifted learners, ensuring each experience contributes meaningfully to their growth.

Students regularly participate in statewide academic and creative opportunities such as the Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking, NSW Arts Unit State Dance and Drama Ensembles, choir, and NAIDOC Poetry competitions. Our teachers assist with entries, preparation, and reflection, helping students build confidence, skills, and a deeper understanding of their learning.

We also connect students with enrichment partnerships with Sydney University, fostering intellectual curiosity, innovation, and collaboration beyond the classroom.

For students with sporting talents, the Representative School Sport Pathway, along with PSSA events, provides opportunities to trial, train, and compete at regional, state, and national levels—promoting discipline, teamwork, and personal excellence.

At Darlington Public School, we are committed to opening statewide pathways that inspire ambition and support every learner to reach their full potential.