High potential and gifted education

Intellectual Domain

Chess Club

Our school invites students to join the weekly drop-in Chess Club held during lunchtimes. This welcoming space is perfect for both beginners and experienced players to develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual growth while enjoying friendly competition and social interaction with peers.

Debating
Our debating teams offer opportunities for students to research, reason, and argue different points of view in formal competitions. This activity sharpens intellectual critical thinking and enhances social-emotional communication and self-confidence.

Differentiation in all KLAs
Teachers tailor learning experiences in all Key Learning Areas (KLAs) to meet each student’s needs and strengths. This approach challenges intellectual capacities and supports social-emotional confidence by ensuring all learners are engaged and stimulated.

Enrichment Day at Gosford High School and Brisbane Water Secondary College

Year 5 students are given the opportunity to visit Brisbane Water Secondary College and Gosford High School (Selective) to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a high-performing student at these schools. This enriching visit helps students explore academic life and challenges in a selective school environment.

Enrichment Groups
Enrichment Groups provide additional challenges in areas such as STEM, literacy, and the arts. These small, focused groups foster intellectual curiosity and social collaboration beyond the regular curriculum.

External Maths/Writing Competitions
Students are encouraged to participate in external competitions that challenge their abilities in mathematics and writing. These opportunities build intellectual skills and promote resilience and healthy competition.

ICAS Competitions
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) challenge students’ academic skills in subjects like science, writing, and digital technologies. Participation fosters intellectual excellence and perseverance.

Interest Groups
Various interest-based groups allow students to explore hobbies and skills such as chess, coding, or gardening. These groups support social-emotional engagement and intellectual enrichment.

Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition
Students challenge themselves in this respected mathematics competition, which develops problem-solving skills and intellectual perseverance.

Premier’s Reading Challenge
Students are encouraged to read widely through this state-wide challenge that promotes intellectual growth and creative imagination.

Public Speaking in Class and Competitions including school based and Central Coast.
Students regularly practice speaking in class and at external competitions, which builds their intellectual communication skills and social-emotional confidence.

Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee competition challenges students’ word knowledge and memory, enhancing intellectual focus and building social confidence.

Creative Domain

Art Experiences at Gosford Regional Art Gallery

Students have the opportunity to engage with inspiring art programs and exhibitions during excursions to the Gosford Regional Art Gallery, enhancing their creative learning beyond the classroom.

Art Show (biannual)

Every student has the opportunity to contribute to a whole-class artwork including the design phase, through to implementation.

Central Coast Dance Festival
Students participate in well-rehearsed dance performances at the Central Coast Dance Festival, where they showcase their creativity and develop physical coordination. This festival also encourages teamwork and social connections through shared artistic expression.

Central Coast Showcase
Our school’s talents shine at the Central Coast Showcase, where students perform or display work in music, drama, choir, drumming and other creative areas. This event builds confidence, celebrates creativity, and fosters a strong sense of community belonging.

Choir – Junior and Senior
Junior and Senior Choir groups offer students musical training and ensemble singing opportunities. Participating enhances their creative abilities through music and nurtures social-emotional skills such as cooperation and confidence.

Central Coast Choral Festival

Students have the opportunity to be selected and participate in this singing ensemble and train/perform with other schools across the Central Coast.

Dance groups –  S2, S3
Students in  Stage 2, and Stage 3 engage in structured dance lessons to develop rhythm, coordination, and creative expression. These lessons foster physical skills and boost confidence through artistic performance.

Drumming
Students can join the drumming group to explore rhythm and percussion skills. Playing drums together fosters creativity, coordination, and teamwork, enriching both the creative and social-emotional domains.

Ettalong’s Got Talent
Our annual “Ettalong’s Got Talent” event invites students to showcase their unique talents, from singing and dancing to magic or comedy. This inclusive platform boosts creativity and social confidence by celebrating diverse abilities.

Musical/Drama
Our musical and drama productions offer students opportunities to develop performance skills in acting, singing, and stagecraft. These creative activities nurture imagination, confidence, and collaboration.

Operation Art

Students are invited to create and submitoriginal artworks for consideration in the prestigious Operation Art exhibition. Two outstanding pieces will be selected to be forwarded to The Arts Unit for display in a children’s hospital, sharing our students’ creativity with the wider community.

Recorder Groups
The Recorder Groups provides beginners with an introduction to music through group playing and practice, fostering creativity and social belonging. Our Intermediate group includes descant and treble recorders that perform at Opera House.

Science Expo (biannual)

Every student has the opportunity to contribute to a whole-class science based presentation including the design phase, through to implementation.

Ukulele Group
Students learn to play the ukulele in a group setting, developing creative musical skills and enjoying social collaboration.

Physical Domain

Athletics Carnival and Pathways
Our annual Athletics Carnival offers students the chance to compete in various track and field events. It promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and self-motivation. Talented athletes may also access pathways to advanced sports programs, supporting growth in the physical domain.

Cross Country and Pathways
The school’s cross country events encourage students to build endurance and self-discipline through long-distance running. Those with talent can pursue competitive pathways, developing physical fitness and intellectual goal-setting abilities.

Futures Academy

In collaboration with Brisbane Water High School and other local primary schools, sporting and creative/critical thinking academies are offered to successful Year 3 and 4 candidates  as a talent development pathway from primary to high school.

Netball
Our netball teams train and compete, developing physical fitness and skills as well as social-emotional teamwork and sportsmanship.

Oztag – Boys/Girls
Oztag is a non-contact form of rugby that emphasises agility and team play. Both boys and girls participate, enhancing physical skills and social-emotional cooperation.

Premiers Reading Challenge
Students are encouraged to read widely through this state-wide challenge that promotes intellectual growth and creative imagination.

Rugby League
Our rugby league teams focus on developing physical fitness and skills while fostering social-emotional resilience and teamwork through competitive play.

Sporting School Grants
Our school utilises government grants to improve sports programs and facilities, providing enhanced opportunities for physical development and participation.

Sporting pathway opportunities in team sports for all PSSA teams.

Swimming Carnival and Pathways
The Swimming Carnival encourages students to compete in various water-based events. Talented swimmers can pursue further competitive pathways, developing physical fitness and social team spirit.

Social- Emotional Domain

ANZAC Day Assembly
Each year, our school holds a solemn ANZAC Day Assembly to commemorate the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women. Students participate in readings, reflections, and performances that foster respect, empathy, and a strong sense of community, developing important social-emotional skills.

Assemblies – Leadership and Public Speaking

School Leaders

Throughout the year, students have opportunities to lead school assemblies and speak publicly in front of their peers. This builds their confidence, leadership qualities, and intellectual communication abilities, enriching the social-emotional and intellectual domains.

Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club offers a welcoming environment each morning where students can enjoy a healthy meal before school. This program supports social-emotional well-being by encouraging friendships and provides physical nourishment essential for learning readiness.

Eco Warriors
The Eco Warriors group leads school-based sustainability initiatives such as recycling and gardening projects. Students develop environmental knowledge and social-emotional leadership while advocating for a greener community.

Environmental/Vegetable Garden Group
This group works on projects that promote environmental awareness, such as habitat restoration and energy conservation. Participation supports intellectual understanding of ecology and nurtures social responsibility.

Kindy Buddies
Older students are paired with kindergarten buddies to mentor and support younger peers, promoting kindness and friendship. This helps develop social-emotional empathy and leadership.

Library Monitors
Library Monitors assist with daily library operations, helping to organise resources and support fellow students. This role encourages responsibility, intellectual stewardship, and social leadership.

SRC (Student Representative Council)
Through SRC, students engage in leadership by organising activities and voicing the student body’s ideas, promoting social-emotional empowerment and community involvement.

Student Voice
Student Voice initiatives give students opportunities to participate in school decision-making, fostering social-emotional empowerment and intellectual engagement.

Year 6 Mini Fete
Year 6 students work together to organise and run a mini fete, developing social-emotional teamwork and intellectual entrepreneurial skills.