High potential and gifted education

• Participation in extension literacy and numeracy activities
• Access to mathematics investigations, science experiments and cooking lessons
• Engaging in coding and digital literacy activities
• Participation in Digital Olympics and Lego League
• Involvement in public speaking, debating, poetry competitions, Premier’s Spelling Bee, and Premier’s Reading Challenge

• Involvement in visual arts and craft activities
• Opportunities to engage in Art Club, Film Club or Lego Club - (lunchtime offerings)
• Opportunities in dance, choir, drama, and school performances
• Performance opportunities for singing and dancing through Pulse, Primary Proms, and Schools Spectacular including D’Arts
• Engagement in creative writing
• Jamie Oliver Program - cooking lessons

• Engagement in buddy systems including Year 6 and Kindergarten Buddy Program
• Student Leadership including School Leaders, Student Representative Council, Sports Captains, and Library Monitors
• Participation in Leadership by the Cowpasture - a cross-Network initiative
• Fundraising and volunteering
• Participation in the Top Blokes Program
• Opportunities to facilitate and lead wellbeing initiatives delivered through the Garden Club and the Buddies Program

• Participation in physical education classes
• Opportunity to enrol in Swimming Scheme - intense program
• District trials for representative teams
• Gala Days
• External providers delivering expert programs in Mindfulness, Athletics, Gymnastics and Dance
• Affiliation with Parramatta Eels Rugby League Development Program

In our classroom

At William Stimson Public School, we believe every student has unique strengths and talents. Our commitment is to nurture these abilities by providing tailored learning experiences that support high potential and gifted education (HPGE). Here’s how we do this through key teaching approaches:

Formative Assessment Our teachers regularly use a variety of tools—such as diagnostic tests, observation checklists, and student self-assessments—to identify each student’s knowledge, skills, and interests. This ongoing assessment helps us understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth, ensuring that learning tasks are challenging yet achievable. With these insights, teachers adjust lessons to provide the right level of support and extension, promoting continuous growth for all learners.

Explicit Teaching We provide clear explanations of learning goals and success criteria, so students know what is expected. Teachers break down complex concepts into manageable steps and processes, deepen understanding. This approach encourages students to develop higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving in a structured way.

Differentiated Learning and Grouping Learning activities are thoughtfully designed to offer different levels of complexity and choice. Experiences can be adjusted for pace, groupings, ability and interest, ensuring students face the right level of challenge to stay motivated and engaged.

High Expectations All students can achieve. We encourage students at William Stimson them to think critically, be creative, and solve problems. Teachers set ambitious learning goals that promote deeper understanding and intellectual risk-taking. Students are guided to set their own personal goals, reflect on their progress, and develop resilience.

Student Voice We actively encourage students to take leadership roles in class learning, school initiatives, and discussions. Students contribute ideas, make decisions, and reflect on their learning journey. This engagement builds motivation, ownership, and leadership skills.

Ongoing Professional Learning and Collaboration Our teachers participate in regular professional development to deepen their understanding of High Potential and Gifted Education strategies and current research. They collaborate to share best teaching practices and design innovative, differentiated

curriculum units. This teamwork ensures consistent, high-quality instruction that supports the development of each student’s talents and potential.

At William Stimson Public School, we are dedicated to recognising and nurturing every student’s abilities. Through these approaches, we provide a supportive, challenging, and enriching learning environment where students with high potential can thrive.

Across our school

At William Stimson Public School, High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is a central part of what we do. We believe every student has unique talents, and we are dedicated to recognising and nurturing these strengths. Our school provides flexible, varied, and enriching opportunities that help students grow not only intellectually, but creatively, social and emotionally and physically.

Here are some of the ways we support the development of students at William Stimson Public School:

· Coding and digital literacy

· Digital competitions

· Interschool sport competitions

· Representative sport pathways and opportunities

· Student Representative Council and Leadership

· Public speaking and debating

· Dance, Art, Choir groups

· School Camps

· Extra Curricula Clubs

· School performances and external performances, e.g. School Spectacular

· Wellbeing programs

· Curriculum aligned excursions & incursions

· Buddy programs

Across NSW

We actively participate in statewide competitions and activities, providing our students with valuable opportunities to challenge themselves and perform at their best. Through this collaborative and enriched approach, we ensure every student’s unique talents are recognised, developed, and celebrated.

Here are some of the opportunities available to support the talent development of students at William Stimson Public School:

· School Spectacular

· Primary Proms

· NSW PSSA School sport pathways

· Australian Problem-Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO)

· Premier’s Reading Challenge

· Premier’s Spelling Bee