High potential and gifted education

Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.

At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.

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.

Student Representative Council (SRC) and prefect leadership

Focused on school service and community outreach.

Talented Sports Programs

Led by trained facilitators, with opportunities for state representation.

Extracurricular opportunities

Including excursions, challenge days, and enrichment programs.

Cultural representation and support

Specifically for High Potential students of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background.

Accelerated Dance programs

Offered depending on cohort availability.

What have our High Potential students achieved at Maitland High School?

· 1st place in the 2024 Science and Engineering Challenge at the University of Newcastle.

· CAPA Showcases and vocal ensembles – Celebrating creative and performing arts achievements

· Music community showcases at The Cabin Collective.

· Workshops with industry professionals, such as Belvoir St Theatre.

· Regular communication and Mentorship from Alumni students in Art, Drama and Music

· ‘OnStage’ and ‘Callback’ HSC Showcase nominations in 2023 and 2024.

· Leadership and crew roles in the 2024 school production of Swifties and 2022’s Becoming George.

· Featured dancer at Schools Spectacular 2024.

· Media Team – School journalism and podcasting.

· ‘Build Me a Future’ Day and other STEM Enrichment Programs.

· Student Leaders Summit at the Parliament of NSW.

· Community representation at Maitland’s ANZAC Day ceremonies.

· Year 10 student accepted as an advocate for the NSW Student Council – Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools (DOVES) in 2024.

· GRIP Leadership Conference – Developing student leadership skills.

· 2023 Geography Challenge – Encouraging geographical knowledge and inquiry.

· Hunter MiniEV Challenge at Tighes Hill TAFE (with a 2nd place winner).

· Academic competitions – Including Maths, Science, History, Geography, and the ‘What Matters’ writing competition.

· 'Encore' and 'Shape' nominations in 2025.

Numerous Regional and State representations for sport: In 2025 alone, multiple students represented in Combined High Schools (CHS) teams, Coalfields Zone Rugby League teams and regional swimming carnivals.