Recognising Potential. Nurturing Talent. Inspiring Excellence.
At Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal, we are committed to recognising, supporting and extending high potential and gifted learners within an inclusive Catholic school community.
High potential and gifted students may show strengths in a range of areas, including intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. At OLSS, we work to identify these strengths, provide appropriate challenges and support students to develop their gifts over time.
Our approach is guided by the Catholic Schools Broken Bay High Potential and Gifted Education Position Statement, which recognises that high potential and gifted students come from all backgrounds and may have diverse learning, social and emotional needs.
What Does High Potential and Gifted Mean?
In line with the NSW High Potential and Gifted Education Policy:
High Potential
Students have potential that exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains.
Gifted
Students have potential that significantly exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains.
Highly Gifted
Students have potential that vastly exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains.
At OLSS, we understand that giftedness is not limited to academic achievement. Students may demonstrate high potential through intellectual thinking, creativity, leadership, communication, problem solving, performance, physical ability, innovation or social awareness.
The Four Domains of High Potential and Giftedness
High potential and gifted learners may show strengths across one or more domains.
| Domain | What this may look like |
|---|---|
| Intellectual | Advanced verbal, numerical, logical or spatial thinking; problem solving; abstract thinking; strong memory; ability to make connections and evaluate ideas. |
| Creative | Original ideas, imagination, innovation, artistic expression, creative problem solving or the ability to organise ideas, images, words, sound, movement or digital media in new ways. |
| Social-emotional | Leadership, empathy, perceptiveness, influence, communication skills, social awareness, confidence, tactfulness or the ability to connect with and inspire others. |
| Physical | Strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance, reflexes or high-level performance in sport, movement or physical activities. |
How Students Are Identified
At OLSS, identification is an ongoing process. Teachers build a picture of each learner over time by gathering information from a range of sources.
This may include:
- Teacher observation and professional judgement
- Classroom assessment and learning data
- Student work samples
- ACER General Ability Test (AGAT)
- Parent and carer insights
- Student voice, interests and passions
- External reports where appropriate
- Opportunities to demonstrate strengths across different contexts
We recognise that some high potential and gifted students may not always be immediately obvious. Some students may underachieve, mask their abilities, have additional learning needs, or show strengths in areas beyond traditional academic achievement.
Supporting OLSS Talent Development
High potential is developed over time through appropriate challenge, support and opportunity.
At OLSS, we aim to help students move from potential to performance by providing learning experiences that deepen understanding, encourage creativity and build confidence.
Support may include:
- Differentiated learning in the classroom
- Enrichment opportunities that broaden learning
- Extension opportunities that deepen knowledge and skills
- Open-ended tasks and problem solving
- Academic competitions and challenges
- Creative arts, sport, leadership and service opportunities
- Opportunities for students to work with like-minded peers
- Support for social and emotional wellbeing
Wellbeing and Belonging
High potential and gifted students can have unique social and emotional needs. Some students may be highly independent, deeply curious, sensitive, perfectionistic or eager to connect with like-minded peers.
At OLSS, wellbeing is central to our approach. We support students to feel known, valued and connected, while helping them develop confidence, resilience, positive relationships and a healthy sense of belonging.
Working in Partnership with Families
Families play an important role in helping us understand each child’s strengths, interests and needs.
At OLSS, teachers, leaders, parents and carers work together to support the holistic development of high potential and gifted learners. This partnership helps ensure students are appropriately challenged, supported and encouraged as they move through each stage of their learning journey.
High Potential and Gifted Opportunities at OLSS
Academic
- Word Wizards
- Maths Olympiad (Stage 3)
- Maths Explorer (Stage 2)
- Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition
- ICAS Assessments
- Techmatics Day
- St Joseph’s and St Edward’s Enrichment Days
Creative
- Artful Minds
- Visual Arts Skill Development
- Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition
- ABC News in My Neighbourhood Competition
Leadership and Communication
- Debating
- Public Speaking
- Spelling Bee
- Chess
Targeted Programs
- ES1 Maths Enrichment
- High Potential Indigenous Students Writing Focus
- Curriculum-linked enrichment experiences
Developing Every Child’s Potential
Through these opportunities, students are encouraged to explore their strengths, challenge themselves and develop their gifts in meaningful ways.
