High potential and gifted education

The High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program at Mount Pleasant is designed to identify and support students with exceptional talents or potential across a range of areas. Our goal is to nurture and develop their abilities, helping them excel in one or more of the following domains: Intellectual, Creative, Physical, and Social-Emotional. At Mount Pleasant, we are committed to fostering a supportive and stimulating environment, offering a diverse range of programs and opportunities that empower our gifted learners to reach their fullest potential and thrive both academically and personally.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

Our teachers find potential and nurture our students to be the best they can be.

Tailored lessons

Each student has different abilities. Teachers respond to each student’s ability by providing extra challenges and extension activities to keep learning exciting and engaging.

Rich opportunities and activities

Students can take part in opportunities to develop their talent in the arts, sport, leadership and more.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide opportunities that aim to extend and enrich student potential.

What is high potential and gifted education?

High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs.

We do this through:

effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration

tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire

access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.

In our classroom

At Mount Pleasant, HPGE is an integral part of daily learning practice. We are committed to recognising and nurturing the talents of gifted students, providing tailored opportunities that challenge and inspire them every day.

- Our classrooms promote flexible and differentiated groups across subjects, allowing students to collaborate, lead, and engage deeply with content that matches their readiness and interests.

- Students actively participate in authentic, choice-driven learning tasks that encourage critical and creative thinking, including hands-on projects using STEM challenge kits.

- We integrate a variety of technologies including 3D dsign and laser engraving to enhance learning, creativity, and problem-solving, supporting students to develop both digital fluency and innovative thinking.

- Through using the newsletter and yearbook as a creative space, students take on leadership roles by contributing to real-world projects that highlight their skills and achievements.

- The “Grow Your Mind” program supports students' social-emotional growth, fostering resilience and a growth mindset within the classroom environment.

- Our Leadership Program is designed to build leadership skills progressively through engaging lessons and tasks, preparing students for expanded roles in school life.

- Feedback in the classroom is strength-based and goal-focused, encouraging self-assessment and continuous growth.

- When needed, students are extended with advanced learning pathways, ensuring that their abilities are challenged and developed to their fullest potential. This is done through differentiated learning groups across many KLA’s

Across our school

At Mount Pleasant, students have access to a wide range of opportunities designed to develop their talents, leadership, and community engagement beyond the classroom:

- Clinic Days for Different Sports Extension: Specialised training to enhance skills, teamwork, and physical fitness.

- Selective Teams for Gala Days and Knockout Competitions: Representation at competitive events fosters confidence, sportsmanship, and achievement.

- Athletics Club: Ongoing participation promotes health, endurance, and personal goal-setting.

- Selective Art Competition Submissions: Encourages artistic excellence and recognition through challenging projects.

- School Showcase: A platform for students to present their skills and accomplishments, enhancing confidence and a culture of excellence.

Across NSW

Mount Pleasant students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of prestigious statewide programs designed to extend and enrich their talents and potential.

- Starstruck: Students engage in a dynamic performing arts challenge, developing creativity, teamwork, and presentation skills on a large stage.

- Premier’s Spelling Bee: This competition promotes vocabulary development, spelling mastery, and healthy academic competition among students across NSW.

- Public Speaking Competitions: Students build confidence, critical thinking, and persuasive communication skills through participation in structured speech events.

- Premier’s Sporting Challenge: Encourages whole-school involvement in physical activity, fostering leadership, collaboration, and a positive school culture.

- Premiers Debating Challenge: Encourages students to communicate more effectively and apply logic to real world problems