High potential and gifted education
Some students learn faster or more deeply than others. These students may demonstrate exceptional abilities in creativity, thinking, leadership, the arts or sport.
At Fernleigh Public School, we recognise these strengths early and nurture them with purposeful, engaging and challenging learning experiences. Our goal is to help advanced learners grow, thrive and feel confident in who they are.
Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?
Recognising potential and developing talent
Our teachers actively look for strengths in every learner. We use evidence-informed practices to recognise high potential and provide opportunities that nurture talent across the creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional domains.
Tailored lessons
Every student is unique. Our teachers adjust pace, depth and complexity so advanced learners are challenged and inspired every day. This includes enrichment, extension and targeted learning pathways that keep learning engaging and exciting.
Rich opportunities and activities
Students at Fernleigh can explore and develop their strengths through creative arts, leadership roles, sport, STEM activities, environmental projects and small-school network enrichment days.
Opening doors to wider experiences
Our students can also access a wide range of statewide programs that extend and enrich their learning — including selective education pathways, Arts Unit programs, public speaking, STEM challenges and representative sport.
What is high potential and gifted education?
High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how Fernleigh Public School supports students with advanced learning needs.
We do this through:
- effective teaching strategies such as enrichment, extension and acceleration
- tailored support during lessons that stretches, challenge and inspire
- access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.
Our approach ensures every student feels valued and every learner has pathways to success.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom learning, whole school programs and experiences, and statewide opportunities.
Kindergarten – Year 2 (Turtles Class)
High potential learners in K–2 experience:
- differentiated literacy and numeracy tasks
- enrichment for early readers and writers
- open-ended mathematics and inquiry challenges
- flexible grouping for targeted extension
- early STEM and science investigations
- learning linked to real-world experiences such as excursions and incursions
- leadership and social-emotional opportunities, including buddy roles
Our small class size allows personalised learning and early identification of high potential.
Years 3 – 6 (Whales Class)
High potential learners in 3–6 experience:
- deep curriculum investigations and advanced literacy/numeracy tasks
- project-based learning and extended research
- maths extension groups and abstract problem-solving
- Check-In assessments to identify extension needs
- STEM, robotics and design challenges
- creative arts, performance and writing enrichment
- leadership opportunities including SRC and event leadership
- targeted pathways in representative sport
Learning is adjusted in real time to stretch, challenge and inspire our older students.
High potential education at Fernleigh extends beyond the classroom. Whole-school opportunities include:
- creative arts experiences, including drama, music and whole-school productions
- art and writing showcases
- General Knowledge Day
- Book Week and Book Parade
- chess and draughts competition
- Spelling Bee
- STEM and environmental projects
- Fun Run challenges
- Sporting Schools programs
- athletics, cross country and swimming programs
- Grip Leadership and buddy programs
- enrichment days with neighbouring small schools
Our small rural setting provides personalised opportunities and a strong sense of belonging — ideal conditions for talent to grow.
Term 1 – Foundations, Challenge & Early Extension
Intellectual Domain
- General Knowledge Day – extending reasoning, world knowledge and curiosity.
- Early enrichment in literacy and numeracy groups (K–2 and 3–6).
- Project-based learning linked to weather, environment and science.
- Targeted formative assessment to identify early high potential across classes.
- OT and learning support consultations that enable differentiation for advanced learners.
Creative Domain
- Beginning-of-year writing and art units with open-ended tasks.
- Performance and public speaking opportunities in whole-school assemblies.
Physical Domain
- Small Schools Swimming Carnival
- Headlands District Swimming Carnival
- FNC Zone Swimming
- Sporting Schools Basketball Program
(ideal for students with strong physical ability and coordination)
Social-Emotional & Leadership Domain
- Student leadership roles established for the year.
- Buddy program between older and younger students begins.
- Resilience Project staff webinars supporting social-emotional wellbeing.
Term 2 – Creativity, Critical Thinking & Community Connections
Intellectual Domain
- School Photography writing and ICT inquiries.
- Check-in assessments for diagnostic extension planning (3–6).
- Problem-solving and inquiry units in maths, science and sustainability.
- World Turtle Day – environmental learning and science investigations.
Creative Domain
- CTIPS Arts Day – enrichment in visual arts, dance and music.
- Creative writing and poetry units.
Physical Domain
- District Cross Country — advanced pathway for talented runners.
- Ongoing Sporting Schools and PE extension.
Social-Emotional & Leadership Domain
- GRIP Leadership Conference (selected students).
- Resilience Project parent & staff webinars to support student wellbeing.
- Small Schools Principal and Collegiate Collaboration Days – group learning and shared enrichment.
Term 3 – Big Thinking, Performance & Extension Pathways
Intellectual Domain
- 3–6 Check-In Assessments (Reading, Numeracy, Writing)
(Used to identify extension pathways and track advanced achievement) - Archery Incursion – physics, focus, technique and challenge.
- Byron Writers Festival (selected students) – high-level literary exposure.
- Book Week + Book Parade – creative interpretation and oral language development.
- Public Speaking Nomination & Preparation
- Maths enrichment and problem-solving projects.
Creative Domain
- Drama, storytelling and costume design during Book Week.
- Art units tied to literature and festival themes.
Physical Domain
- Athletics Carnival @ Evans River K-12
- Headlands Athletics Carnival @ Cavanbah Centre
- Swimming Program starts (Weeks 9–10)
Social-Emotional & Leadership Domain
- Buddy reading partnerships grow deeper.
- Daily leadership opportunities within classes and assemblies.
- Collaborative work with neighbouring small schools.
Term 4 – Talent Celebration, Transition & Future Pathways
Intellectual Domain
- Chess & Draughts Program (competition at Rous PS).
- Writing festivals, end-of-year projects and inquiry showcases.
- Enhanced problem-solving and independent research for Year 6.
Creative Domain
- Rehearsals, performance tasks and artistic displays.
- Dojo creative rewards and project celebration days.
Physical Domain
- Fun Run – fitness, goal setting and challenge events.
- Ongoing PE extension and games requiring strategy, agility and coordination.
Social-Emotional & Leadership Domain
- Transition programs for new Kindergarten students.
- Year 6 leadership celebrated through special roles in assemblies and events.
- Year 5/6 Interrelate Program building social-emotional understanding.
- End-of-year Presentation Assembly recognising high achievement and effort.
How this supports high potential learners
Across all four terms, students at Fernleigh experience:
- deeper thinking
- personalised challenge
- opportunities to perform, lead and compete
- experiences designed to stretch curiosity and confidence
- access to specialist programs inside and outside school
Our small size allows us to know students deeply and provide extension the moment potential is demonstrated.
Students at Fernleigh Public School can access statewide opportunities including:
- Opportunity Class and Selective High School pathways
- Arts Unit programs (dance, drama, music, visual arts, public speaking)
- Premier’s Reading Challenge and Premier’s Spelling Bee
- STEM enrichment programs and state challenges
- NSW School Sport representative pathways
We support families with information, applications and preparation to ensure equitable access.
Help for your high potential child
If your child shows signs of high potential, we are here to help. Contact us to learn how our HPGE approach can support their learning journey and nurture their strengths.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover the opportunities our students have at Fernleigh Public School.
Learning
Find out how we support student growth and tailor learning to individual needs.