High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at our school.

Some of the adjustments and strategies that form part of everyday teaching to develop the talent of students at Cronulla Public School include:

Formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning:

By regularly gathering evidence of student progress through observations, questioning, quizzes, or self-assessments, teachers can identify learning gaps and strengths in real time. This allows them to adjust pace, content, and teaching approaches to better meet students’ evolving needs, ensuring continuous challenge and support for high potential and gifted learners.

Explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies:

Learning is guided through the explicit teaching of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies, helping students analyse information, make connections, evaluate ideas and tackle complex tasks with confidence. Open-ended tasks, inquiry units and project-based learning offer opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop higher-order thinking skills.

Opportunities for inquiry and curriculum depth:

Gifted learners benefit from a curriculum that promotes deep understanding and conceptual thinking. Inquiry-based learning encourages curiosity and investigation through questioning, research, and experimentation. Providing curriculum depth lets students explore topics in detail, exceeding surface-level engagement and fostering intellectual growth.

Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation:

For gifted students, collaborative groups can provide opportunities to share ideas, challenge each other, and co-create outcomes such as presentations or projects. These dynamic groupings build social skills, communication, and the ability to work with peers of differing strengths and viewpoints.

Strength-based feedback and goal setting:

Strength-based feedback acknowledges effort, creativity and successful strategies, encouraging students to leverage what they do well. Integrating feedback with goal setting empowers students to plan next steps and take ownership of their learning journey.

Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking and perseverance:

Emphasising a growth mindset, celebrating effort, and nurturing positive relationships contribute to resilience and sustained engagement for gifted learners.

Across our school

Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted enrichment, extension and extra-curricular opportunities.

At Cronulla Public School students have the opportunity to participate in:

• Creative arts showcases
• Student leadership roles
• Representative sport teams
• Junior and senior choir
• Ukulele
• Dance ensembles
• Art competitions
• Garden club
• Student leadership development programs

Across NSW

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

At Cronulla Public School students have the opportunity to participate in:

• The Premier’s Spelling Bee
• The Premier’s reading Competition
• The Schools Spectacular
• The Premier’s Sporting Challenge
• Participation in state-wide dance ensembles
• Public speaking competitions
• Academic competitions such as APSMO