High potential and gifted education at Tempe High School

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

Our classroom practices support and extend high potential and gifted students.

We identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students. We provide learning pathways, including enrichment and extension programs, and acceleration.

Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity, and collaboration.

Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students, including our high potential and gifted learners.

In our classrooms at Tempe High School:

• We use ongoing formative assessment, including discussions and exit slips, to monitor student understanding.
• We use pre-and post-tests to measure individual learning growth and guide responsive teaching.
• We analyse NAPLAN, Check-In, and school-based assessment data to monitor student progress.
• Our programs use the Maker’s Model to provide differentiated content, processes, and learning products.
• We offer acceleration in subjects such as Mathematics and Geography for students demonstrating advanced readiness.
• Our classes use flexible grouping to support collaborative learning and problem-solving.
• Students engage in structured peer feedback and in-class mentoring to enhance their learning.
• We provide opportunities for advanced learning through approved external online courses.
• Students may receive one-to-one academic mentoring with the Head Teacher Teaching & Learning, when additional support or extension is needed.
• We maintain a supportive classroom culture where students are encouraged to take intellectual risks.
• Teachers provide strengths-based feedback and support students in setting meaningful learning goals.
• Our curriculum includes pathways for enrichment, extension, and, where appropriate, acceleration.

Our school recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.

Our school offers a range of whole-school programs that support student growth across the intellectual, creative, physical, and social-emotional domains

Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targeted enrichment, extension, and extra-curricular opportunities such as debating, public speaking competitions, critical thinking workshops, and STEM and coding clubs.

All of our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through student representative council leadership, mentoring programs, and peer coaching.

Student talent is celebrated and extended through extra-curricular opportunities, such as school musicals, drama groups, visual arts showcases, music ensembles, and creative writing groups.

Our students can take part in sports training squads, knockout sports competitions, coaching sessions,  and differentiated Physical Education programs.

Across Tempe High School:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches are used across all faculties to ensure accessible and challenging learning.
• Staff use the Differentiation Adjustment Tool to plan rigorous and appropriate adjustments for high potential learners.
• Teachers are GERRIC-trained and engage in ongoing HPGE professional learning.
• Staff participate in state-wide professional networks and subject associations, with several presenting at Department and Association events.
• Students engage in Peer Support leadership, Peer Tutoring, and a range of coaching and mentoring opportunities.
• School-wide academic enrichment opportunities include critical thinking workshops, inquiry projects, and portfolio tasks.
• Debating, Public Speaking, and Model United Nations programs extend students' communication and analytical skills.
• First Nations creative and performing arts opportunities include Gadigal Songbirds
• Students regularly achieve selection in HSC showcases such as ARTEXPRESS, ENCORE, OnSTAGE, SHAPE, and feature in Extension 2 English publications and science research journals.
• International programs such as the Japan Study Tour support global citizenship and cultural learning.
• Students participate in enrichment competitions, including the Da Vinci Decathlon, Biotech Futures Challenge, ICAS assessments, Geography and History competitions.
• Presentation evenings and showcases highlight outstanding academic, creative, and co-curricular achievement.
• Strong sporting programs include state and national level Volleyball pathways with alumni coaches, and Knockout sports across multiple disciplines.
• Students access leadership roles through the SRC, faculty leadership teams, and multiple school-based initiatives.
• Partnerships with parents and caregivers support talent development, wellbeing, and learning pathways.
• Students can access senior extension opportunities, university-linked programs aligned with their strengths.

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

Statewide/NSW Department of Education level support is available for our high potential and gifted students.

We provide access to local, state, and national competitions and events to help students explore and extend their talents.

Our students have the following opportunities:

• Premier’s Debating Challenge develops logic, argumentation, teamwork, and public speaking
• Plain English Speaking Award Competition develops confidence, speech writing, and public speaking skills
• Partnerships with universities and industry (STEM enrichment projects, engineering collaborations)
• National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice endorsed by the NSW Education Standards Authority
• Participation in regional or state drama ensembles to build expressive and performance skills
• Participation in state music ensembles, developing musical discipline, and ensemble awareness
• Access to state and national volleyball development programs
• Access to local, regional, and statewide academic or creative competitions aligned to curriculum pathways
• Statewide programs that promote critical and creative thinking, innovation, and leadership