High potential and gifted education

At Crown Street Public School, every learner’s potential is our priority. We recognise that many of our students have high potential, and we are dedicated to helping that potential grow into something powerful. Our teachers are committed to finding and nurturing the unique strengths of each student, encouraging them to be the best they can be.

We believe in developing high potential across four key domains: creative, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional. Our school offers a diverse range of opportunities that engage and challenge every learner, with a strong focus on talent development for high potential and gifted students. These learning experiences are delivered within the classroom, across the whole school, and department-wide, aligning with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education policy.

Our teaching strategies include differentiated tasks that adjust pace and complexity, formative assessment to monitor and adapt learning, and advanced pathways such as accelerated content. We explicitly teach critical thinking and problem-solving, promote inquiry and deeper curriculum engagement, and provide opportunities for creative, cross-curricular projects. Flexible groupings encourage collaboration, while physical education supports skill development and leadership. We create supportive, safe learning environments that foster exploration, self-assessment, risk-taking, and perseverance, all while providing strengths-based feedback and goal setting.

Crown Street Public School is a place of diversity and opportunity where every learner belongs. We foster a culture of high expectations and equity in excellence, ensuring all students—regardless of background—have the opportunity to develop their potential into talent.

We challenge our students every day to think deeply, create boldly, lead confidently, and grow holistically. By recognising and developing the whole child, we ensure every student’s potential is noticed, nurtured, and celebrated.

Discover the high potential and gifted education opportunities at Crown Street Public School, where your child’s journey towards excellence begins.

At Crown Street Public School, we recognise that every student is an individual with unique strengths and potential. We provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their talents both inside and outside the classroom. Our whole-school approach supports student growth through a broad range of targeted enrichment, extension, and extra-curricular programs.

Students with high potential and gifted learners are identified and supported through activities such as debating, STEM and coding clubs, academic competitions, critical thinking workshops, and chess groups. Creative talents are nurtured through music bands and ensembles, drama groups, visual arts showcases, dance ensembles and school choirs. Leadership development is a key focus, with all students encouraged to take on roles within the Student Representative Council, mentoring programs, and peer coaching.

Sport also plays a vital role in school life. Students can participate in PSSA teams, representative pathways, training squads, house competitions, and differentiated Physical Education programs that cater to diverse abilities. Complementing these are wellbeing initiatives, cultural activities, excursions, and special programs including Dance Sport, gymnastics, and learn-to-swim.

Our dedicated staff engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure our practices reflect current research and best support the needs of high potential and gifted learners. At Crown Street, we celebrate and extend student talents in a vibrant, inclusive community that empowers every learner to thrive, lead, and shine.

At Crown Street Public School, our students engage in a broad range of statewide programs designed to extend and enrich their potential across multiple domains. We actively support our high potential and gifted learners in accessing NSW Department of Education initiatives that provide meaningful growth opportunities beyond the classroom.

Our students regularly participate in academic and creative statewide opportunities such as the Premier’s Spelling Bee, Premier’s Debating Challenge, Premier’s Reading Challenge, NSW Arts Unit State Dance and Drama Ensembles, choir, and music festivals. These programs help develop vocabulary, logical reasoning, public speaking confidence, creativity, and cultural understanding. Our teachers provide guidance and support throughout entry, preparation, and reflection phases to ensure students gain the most from each experience.

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

At Crown Street Public School, we are committed to providing access to local, state, and national competitions and events that inspire ambition, celebrate student talents, and support every learner to reach their full potential. We believe in opening pathways that nurture and challenge our students, empowering them to thrive both academically and personally.