Inspire – High potential and gifted education (HPGE) at Kingsgrove North High School
Nurturing Potential - Inspiring Excellence
At Kingsgrove North High School, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover, develop and thrive in their areas of strength.
Through INSPIRE, our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) initiative, we provide opportunities for students to engage in challenging, meaningful and enriching learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and excellence.
Aligned with the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, INSPIRE is designed to identify and develop student potential while ensuring every learner feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their personal best.
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
Inspire – 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 Vision
At Kingsgrove North High School, INSPIRE develops confident, creative and compassionate learners who are empowered to think critically, create innovatively and contribute positively to their communities. Through rigorous, inquiry-driven learning, purposeful challenge and supportive relationships, students are encouraged to transform potential into achievement and passion into purpose.
The Year 7 HPGE Extension Class supports talent development across the intellectual and creative domains, providing students with opportunities to engage deeply with complex ideas, collaborate with like-minded peers and develop the resilience, curiosity and excellence needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Introducing the Year 7 Extension Class (2027)
Why Choose KNHS?
- High value-added school recognition
- Diverse and inclusive learning community
- Strong academic growth
- Dedicated HPGE pathways
- Individualised support for student growth
The Year 7 HPGE Extension Class is the beginning of a broader talent development journey at KNHS. Students will have opportunities to engage in enrichment, leadership, competitions, creative showcases and academic extension programs throughout Years 7-12.
Beginning in 2027, Kingsgrove North High School will offer a dedicated Year 7 HPGE Extension Class focusing on the:
- Intellectual Domain
- Creative Domain
This initiative builds upon our previous enrichment opportunities by providing a clearly defined and sustained pathway for talent development within the classroom environment. Students will learn alongside like-minded peers and participate in learning experiences designed to extend their thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills.
The program is:
- Evidence-informed
- Inclusive and equitable
- Focused on talent development
- Aligned with the HPGE Policy
- Designed to challenge and support students
Unlike traditional enrichment programs that may operate as occasional activities or withdrawal programs, the HPGE Extension Class provides:
- A sustained pathway for talent development
- Daily opportunities for intellectual challenge
- Inquiry-driven learning experiences
- Collaboration with like-minded peers
- Explicit opportunities for creativity, innovation and problem-solving
- A supportive environment that encourages resilience and academic risk-taking
Intellectual Domain
Students in the intellectual domain demonstrate strong potential in understanding ideas, analysing information and solving complex problems.
Examples may include:
- Mathematics and logical reasoning
- Coding and computational thinking
- Research and investigation
- Strategic thinking
- Debating and communication
- Questioning and critical thinking
Students may demonstrate these strengths in many ways, not solely through academic grades.
Creative Domain
Students in the creative domain demonstrate originality, imagination and innovative thinking.
Examples may include:
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Design and technology
- Writing and storytelling
- Fashion and creative industries
- Scientific innovation
- Creative problem-solving
Creative potential can be demonstrated across many areas both inside and outside school.
We encourage applications from students who:
- Enjoy learning and exploring new ideas
- Demonstrate curiosity and creativity
- Show a passion for a particular area of interest
- Enjoy problem-solving and thinking deeply
- Are motivated to challenge themselves
- May already be demonstrating high potential or emerging talent
Students do not need to have participated in a gifted program previously to apply.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Process
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Families who have accepted or been offered enrolment at KNHS for Year 7 2027 are invited to submit an Expression of Interest.
Extension Class Expression of Interest form 2027
Key Dates
Contact Us
For further information about INSPIRE:
9502 3933
kingsgrovn-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Does my child need outstanding academic results?
No. Selection considers demonstrated and emerging potential across the intellectual and creative domains, not simply academic achievement.
Can students demonstrate strengths outside of school?
Yes. We welcome evidence from community activities, competitions, creative pursuits, performances, sporting achievements and personal projects.
How many students will be selected?
Selection will be based on the quality of applications and the suitability of students for the learning environment.
Is this separate from enrichment opportunities?
Yes. The Extension Class provides a sustained and structured pathway to talent development within the school day, building upon existing opportunities available at Kingsgrove North High School.
2026 HPGE Program
Throughout 2025, Kingsgrove North High School undertook a transformative, whole-school strengthening of Inspire – High potential and gifted education, embedding deep alignment with the School Excellence Plan. This renewal phase reshaped our strategic direction, lifted expectations across the school, and established a powerful platform for long-term excellence. In 2026, Kingsgrove North High School proudly launched a revitalised, future-focused HPGE program designed to extend, challenge and inspire our highest-potential learners.
Key developments for our new program include:
Building on the renewal work completed in 2025, KNHS launches its strengthened HPGE Program in 2026, establishing a sustainable, evidence-driven model with clear pathways and high expectations.
Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?
Assessment That Means Something
We conduct an entry assessment for incoming Year 7 students, supported by PAT Adaptive Testing and AGAT General Ability Testing, to ensure early, equitable and accurate identification.
Dedicated Year 7 HPGE Classes
Launched in 2026, our HPGE classes provide structured challenge, acceleration and domain-specific opportunities.
Comprehensive Enrichment and Talent Development
Students participate in high-quality programs including the Australian Video Game Challenge, Game Changer Challenge, Fleet Space LaunchBox and ACER Advanced Awards.
Deeply Aligned with NSW Policy and Best Practice
Our HPGE work is rooted in the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential & Gifted Education Policy, built around the four domains of potential. Staff engage in ongoing professional learning and reflective practice to evaluate, refine and strengthen our provision each year
Equity is Non-Negotiable
We identify student potential through multi-criteria processes that support diverse learners including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, EAL/D learners, students with disability and those from low-SES backgrounds.
High Potential & Gifted Education (HPGE) at Kingsgrove North High School
Enrichment Programs & Competitions
KNHS provides meaningful enrichment through programs that stretch students intellectually and creatively, including:
- Australian Video Game Challenge (2025: one team placed Top 5 nationally)
- Game Changer Challenge
- Fleet Space LaunchBox Satellite Engineering Program
- ACER Advanced Awards
- Brainways Education Quest Tutorials at the University of Sydney
These programs promote design thinking, creativity, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.
The KNHS Difference
Identification & Equity
Our identification approach is multifaceted, inclusive and strengths-based, using assessment data, AGAT reasoning results, PAT growth data, teacher nomination, student self-nomination, program performance and indicators of creativity, collaboration and leadership.
We actively identify potential in all students, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners, students with disability, EAL/D students, students from low-SES backgrounds, underachieving high potential students and those with uneven profiles of achievement.
Teacher Capability & Professional Learning
Teachers at KNHS engage in HPGE professional learning, differentiation workshops, assessment for learning, evidence-based planning, peer mentoring, and use of the HPGE Evaluation & Planning Tool. This builds a consistent, high-impact culture of challenge across all classrooms.
Continuous Improvement
KNHS uses ongoing data analysis, evaluation tools and reflective practice to continually refine our HPGE program. Our commitment to improvement ensures that every high potential learner receives the support and challenge they deserve.
Keep up with what we are doing on the socials! #HPGE #lovewhereyoulearn
Our HPGE Opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom and across our school.
Academic Excellence (Intellectual Domain)
KNHS provides academically rigorous learning through evidence-informed differentiation, high-challenge learning sequences, enrichment tasks, acceleration opportunities and cross-year learning. Data from PAT, AGAT, NAPLAN and classroom assessments informs programming to ensure appropriate challenge and growth.
Creative & Performing Arts (Creative Domain)
Students engage in a thriving creative domain with opportunities in drama, visual arts, music, digital media, writing and performance. Signature programs include School Band, Bouzouki Club, DJ Mornings, CAPA Senior Night, COS Showcase and creative competitions.
Sports, Movement & Physical Development (Physical Domain)
The physical domain is supported through representative sport pathways, targeted fitness programs, athletics, school sport competitions and leadership opportunities. Students develop physical skill, confidence and personal excellence.
Leadership & Wellbeing (Social-Emotional Domain)
We build social-emotional capability through Peer Support, SRC, mentoring, cultural initiatives, wellbeing programs and student voice structures. Students develop resilience, communication skills and emotional intelligence.
Intellectual & Academic Opportunities
- PAT Testing
- Academic Transition Testing for incoming Year 7
- Wednesday Workshops – targeted extension sessions on Wednesday afternoons
- Australian STEM Video Game Challenge
- Game Changer Challenge (Design Thinking)
- Brainways Education Tutorials
- Fleet Space LaunchBox Satellite Program
- Regional STEM events & design challenges
- Raise the Bar Program (High Performance NAPLAN Numeracy preparation sessions in skills and strategy)
- Debating & Public Speaking Competitions
- Subject-based extension tasks (English, HSIE, Maths, Science, CAPA)
- Open-ended inquiry-based learning units
- Acceleration where appropriate (curriculum compacting / cross-year learning)
- Our STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
Creative Domain Opportunities
- School Band, Ensembles & Instrumental Programs
- Drama Club & Theatre Performances
- Writing Workshops & Competitions
- Digital Media, Film & Game Design Projects
- Visual Arts Exhibitions
- Photography & Digital Creativity Projects
- Design & Technology extension builds
- DJ Mornings
- Bouzouki Club & Cultural Performance Groups
- COS Showcase
- CAPA Senior Night
Physical Domain Opportunities
- Representative Sport Pathways (Zone, Regional, State)
- Leadership Roles in Sport & House Competitions
- Opportunities for students identified as physically gifted across PDHPE and sport
- The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
- The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
Social-Emotional Domain Opportunities
- Student Leadership Pathways (Prefects, SRC, Peer Support)
- Public Speaking & Leadership Programs
- Wellbeing Leadership Roles
- Community, Diversity and Cultural Events
- Peer Mentoring Programs
- Team-based innovation challenges
- Participation in collaborative enrichment programs
- Involvement in the Game Changer Challenge empowers our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking.
- Our mentoring programs connect our students with trusted adults including school alumni to build confidence, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
Help for your HPGE Child
If your child shows signs of high potential, contact us. We can share how our HPGE support can guide their learning journey.