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.
The High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Program at Billabong High School has created strong collaborative practices, supporting professional dialogue and data-driven decision-making. Regular monitoring, strategic planning, and shared enrichment initiatives have enhanced staff engagement and continuous improvement to meet the needs of HPGE students.
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.
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.
In our classroom
- We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student can thrive at our school.
- Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
- Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.
- Groups are flexible for collaboration and presentation, students take lead roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and self-assessment.
- Students learn from tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects.
- When evidence shows a need for more, students are extended and can access advanced pathways.
- We measure impact, through student work, reflections and progress checks.
Across Our School
Our school offers a range of whole-school programs that support student growth.
- All our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through student representative council leadership, school captaincy and as prefects. Our leaders participate in mentoring programs and leadership of major events including ANZAC, Remembrance Day assemblies and Community Australia Day ceremonies.
- Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted enrichment, extension and extra-curricular opportunities such as debating, competitions, Puzzle Club, Chess Club, Writers Club and Art Club. We also conduct a talented music program.
- Student talent is celebrated widely throughout the school community with a Facebook following of almost 4000 and a reach of up to 130000 people. Our media posts are student led.
- Our students compete in Combined High School sporting events and activities with ongoing high level success.
Across NSW
- Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.
- We provide access to local, state and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents.
- Billabong High School continues to enjoy sporting participation in a multitude of competitions including selection through to zone, regional and state carnivals.
- Billabong High School students participate in ICAS English, Mathematics and Science, NSW Geography and History Competitions.
ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS - DEBATING TEAMS
In 2025 The Billabong High School Junior Debating team competed in the Premiers State Debating Challenge in Sydney where there finished equal 3rd in the state.
LEGO CLUB
Our Lego Club meets regularly on Thursdays during lunch. This is an opportunity for students to explore their creativity, problem solving skills and social skills through working collaboratively during the sessions.
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Private music lessons are offered to students onsite each week. Students are able to learn a number of different instruments of their choosing. Some of the instruments offered to students are drums, guitar and piano.
NEXT GEN PROGRAM
Offered to passionate students who want to develop their musical skills, build confidence and explore creativity.
Students are able to learn vocals, instrument basics, along with elements of music production. Students can gain performance experience and stage confidence; they can collaborate to create and perform an original song if they wish. Exploring modern music tools, including recording and social media. Students are able to build a personal portfolio to showcase their talent.
BILLABONG HIGH SCHOOL SHOW TEAM
The Billabong High School Show Team competes at The Royal Easter Show each year. In 2025, the Billabong High School Show team won The Bott-Burston Perpetual Trophy for most successful school or college along with 4 other prestigious awards
WRITERS CLUB
Students come together to explore and develop their writing skills. From poetry to songwriting, students are encouraged to build on their skills of self-expression, creativity and confidence to produce their work through collaboration with their peers and teachers.
PUZZLE CLUB
At Billabong High School the puzzle club meet regularly, and students work together to utilise their problem-solving and cognitive skills to complete the puzzles in the quickest time. They compete in the inaugural inter-school puzzle competition throughout the year where teams of 4 students race each other to complete their puzzles.
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.