High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE)

At Maitland High School, we are committed to cultivating the talents and interests of students identified as ‘High Potential’ in the intellectual, creative, socio-emotional, and physical domains.

• Year 7 ‘High Potential’ Cohort – Expressions of interest for our 2026 cohort can be found here. https://forms.gle/aBBQxKirELRQHPHB9
• Enrichment through differentiated learning – Our teachers are trained to adjust their practice to engage and develop students at their point of need.
• Explicit teaching through modelling, guidance, and gradual release – This approach results in confident and capable students.

What do we offer?

·        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.

·        Multiple ARTEXPRESS nominations since 2020

·        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).

·        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

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.