High potential and gifted education
At Gorokan High School, we are committed to supporting every student to grow and thrive across learning, personal development and wellbeing. Our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs provide purposeful enrichment that challenges and engages students, supporting them to reach their potential.
As a partially selective school, we identify and support students who demonstrate high potential across intellectual, creative, physical and social-emotional domains. We recognise that students develop at different rates and require varying levels of challenge, and we respond through an inclusive and flexible approach to talent development.
Teaching and learning programs are designed to deepen understanding, foster higher-order thinking and encourage the application of learning in varied contexts. Through differentiated learning experiences, students are supported to think critically, explore ideas and develop independence and curiosity. Creativity, physical development and wellbeing are embedded within our programs, recognising their importance in supporting overall growth. Carefully planned learning experiences and cross-curricular opportunities further develop collaboration, problem-solving and leadership, preparing students for future pathways in an evolving world.
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
We recognise that students have different strengths and learning needs. Our teachers provide appropriate challenging and extension activities so every learner remains motivated and supported.
Rich opportunities and activities
Our students can explore and develop their talents through a wide range of opportunities in the arts, sport, leadership and other areas of interest.
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.
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher order thinking
- Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning
- Advanced learning pathways, including accelerated or compacted content
- Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies
- Opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth
- Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking including cross-curricular projects
- Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation
- Differentiated movement tasks and skill refinement in PDHPE
- Targeted learning goals for coordination, agility, and control
- Opportunities to take on lead roles in physical demonstrations or team strategy
- Supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment
- Strengths-based feedback and goal setting.
- Opportunities for leadership within the classroom
- Structured peer collaboration and reflection.
- Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance
- Debating
- STEM and coding clubs
- Academic competitions
- Critical thinking workshops
- School musicals
- Visual arts and drama showcases
- Creative writing groups
- Sport squads
- House competitions
- Performance-based movement groups
- Peer mentoring
- Student leadership (SRC)
- Wellbeing programs
- Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives
- The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
- Our STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
- Involvement in the Game Changer Challenge empowers our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking.
- The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
- Participation in (state/regional) drama ensembles promotes character exploration, storytelling and expressive freedom for our Stage 5 high potential and gifted drama students.
- The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
- Participation in state-wide dance ensembles develops our high potential and gifted Stage 5 dance students’ technical skills, performance presence and physical expressiveness.
- Our mentoring programs connect our students with trusted adults including school alumni to build confidence, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
Aspiring Leaders Program (ALPs)
The Aspiring Leaders Program is designed to nurture and develop the future leaders of Gorokan High School. Students in this program play a key role in supporting the Year 6 into Year 7 transition process and providing mentorship to their peers. They participate in targeted workshops that build their leadership capacity and help them contribute to a positive and inclusive school culture.
Through this program, students gain valuable knowledge and practical skills in leadership and support processes. They also strengthen relationships within the school and build meaningful connections with the wider community by representing Gorokan High School at various events and opportunities.
The Aspiring Leaders Program is built on the core values of Gorokan High School. It empowers students to strive for their personal best while inspiring and uplifting those around them.
Performance
At Gorokan High School, we are committed to developing the talent of our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) students in the Creative Domain. Our musicians regularly perform at key school and community events such as Harmony Day, Pink Day, and Purple Day, giving them authentic opportunities to showcase and extend their skills. Students from Years 7 to 12 are encouraged to participate, fostering an inclusive and vibrant creative culture across the school. We also provide pathways for students to grow through our school plays and annual musical productions, where they can contribute as performers, technicians, or leaders. These experiences challenge students to refine their artistic abilities while building confidence, teamwork, and creative thinking. Our staff work closely with students through rehearsals, workshops, and targeted feedback to support continuous growth. We aim to nurture individual strengths while offering extension opportunities that develop higher-level performance and production skills. Through these programs, students gain a strong sense of purpose and pride in their creative achievements. Gorokan High School is dedicated to identifying and extending talent, ensuring HPGE students in the Creative Domain have every opportunity to thrive.
Accelerated VET Pathways
GHS Gorokan High School provides a unique opportunity for all students to achieve dual credentialling from their high school experience. The school offers a comprehensive range of Certificate II and Certificate III Vocational Education and Training courses which support students to achieve nationally recognised workplace credentials through school-based learning and industry work placement. For students electing to pursue a University pathway, there is an added benefit where a Cert II or III (completing a HSC exam) course credential is recognised and contributes to an ATAR, which is completed during the Year 11 school year. A student may then achieve a higher ATAR through the HSC pathway. Our goal is to maximise the opportunity for our students to pursue their future pathway with skills and confidence
Targeted Sports Program
Gorokan High School’s Targeted Sports Program in Rugby League, Touch Football and OzTag is designed to identify and support developing athletes while aligning with the NSW DoE HPGE framework. The program offers specialised coaching that builds technical skill, tactical awareness and strong game sense across all three codes. Training sessions focus on developing the whole student by building confidence, teamwork, communication and emotional resilience alongside physical performance. Academic progress is supported through clear expectations, structured routines and mentoring to help students balance training and learning. Students also develop leadership, responsibility and positive behaviour habits that extend beyond the sporting field. Regular opportunities to participate in school, local and regional competitions allow athletes to challenge themselves and grow in a supportive environment. By combining quality coaching with an emphasis on personal development, the Targeted Sports Program helps students thrive as well-rounded learners and athletes.
Innovate Enrichment Program
We are proud to offer Innovate, an enrichment program designed for Year 8 students who demonstrate high motivation, strong learning capabilities and readiness for advanced, creative and inquiry-focused learning.
Innovate runs alongside the mainstream Year 8 curriculum. Students continue to study English, Mathematics, HSIE, Science, Design and Technology and Visual Arts with their peers, while also participating in 16 periods per fortnight of specialised Innovate Enrichment learning.
What students experience in Innovate
Students in the program engage in a range of high-challenge learning experiences, including personalised interest projects, small-group investigations and whole-class community initiatives. These tasks are designed to extend students’ thinking, collaboration and creativity.
Muru Bulbi Junior AECG
The Muru Bulbi Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (Jnr AECG) is an initiative that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by providing a voice in their education. It offers regular opportunities for students to meet, share ideas, celebrate culture and contribute to decision-making within their school and the wider community. Students work collaboratively with teachers, school leaders, the NSW AECG and local Aboriginal community members to support improved educational outcomes. Through leadership development, cultural activities and advocacy, the Jnr AECG builds student confidence, strengthens cultural identity and fosters partnerships across Muru Bulbi high schools.
Duke of Ed – Acceleration
At Gorokan High School we provide students with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, leadership, and real-world capabilities through our delivery of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Duke of Ed). As a globally recognised program and the leader in accrediting non-formal education, the Duke of Ed empowers students to challenge themselves, develop resilience, and contribute to their community.
Through our school’s program, students gain access to diverse skill-building experiences—ranging from community service and physical development to personal interests and adventurous journeys. These experiences strengthen initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, and independence, while also nurturing a strong sense of social responsibility.
On completion of a Duke of Ed Level, students receive a digital credential that allows them to showcase their achievements to future employers, training organisations, and tertiary education providers. This credential provides verified, real-time evidence of the skills and capabilities they have developed, giving them a competitive edge beyond the classroom.
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
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