High potential and gifted education

Normanhurst Boys High School is committed to creating a supporting and stimulating environment where high potential and gifted students can thrive and develop into confident, capable individuals.

As an academically selective high school, we cultivate a culture of excellence where students are challenged to set high expectations for themselves and engage deeply with a holistic and rich curriculum.

• Our explicit teaching approach ensures students clearly understand what they are learning, why it matters, and how to apply their knowledge in meaningful and varied contexts. This clarity empowers them to transform understanding into transferrable skills that support success across subjects and real-world situations.
• To meet the needs of advanced learners, our programs incorporate purposeful differentiation that stretches higher-order thinking and encourages sophisticated problem-solving. This is strengthened by rigorous formative assessment practices that track student growth, inform teaching, and ensure every learner is progressing and thriving.

Our school recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.

• We have a dedicated HPGE team that manages the identification, assessment and development of HPGE students across the four different domains (creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional).
• Students who demonstrate high potential and/or gifted abilities are offered personalised learning and support plans in order for them to further develop their strengths.

Across the school, students are given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of programs that are targeted at developing strengths. These include:

• At the beginning of the school year, all new Year 7 students participate in our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program as part of their transition into high school. This multi-day experience is designed to inspire and challenge students through rich critical and creative thinking tasks, helping them build confidence, connect with peers, and step into their secondary learning journey with curiosity and enthusiasm.
• All students at our school are encouraged to grow as leaders through our comprehensive Leadership Model, which nurtures confidence, initiative, and social-emotional strengths. Those who demonstrate strong interpersonal and organisational skills are supported to apply their leadership capabilities across a range of meaningful roles — including the student representative council (SRC), mentoring and buddy programs, peer support initiatives, and the prestigious prefect system. These opportunities empower students to influence their school community, serve others, and develop the skills that will shape them into thoughtful, responsible leaders beyond the classroom.
• Students identified as musically talented have access to a vibrant and expansive music program that nurtures their creativity and performance skills. Our musicians are actively involved in a wide range of enriching experiences, including ensembles, choir, the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival, the NSW Public Schools Millennium Marching Band, Pulse Alive, Schools Spectacular, Big Band Camp and our own renowned Music Camp. These opportunities allow students to extend their talents, connect with like-minded peers, and shine on local and state stages.
• Students identified as talented in sport are supported to compete, grow, and excel through a wide range of high-level opportunities. They have the chance to represent our school with pride in competitions at representative, state, and elite levels. This includes participation in our weekly Wednesday grade sport teams, school carnivals, Knockout Sports, and a variety of NSW Department of Education sporting pathways. These experiences challenge students to refine their skills, build resilience, and strive for excellence alongside their teammates.
• Students identified as talented in science are supported to extend their curiosity, deepen their knowledge, and engage in authentic scientific exploration. They have the opportunity to participate in prestigious enrichment programs such as Titration and Olympiad competitions, where they apply advanced skills and challenge themselves against high-achieving peers. In recent years, students undertaking the Science Extension course have conducted their own original research projects, culminating in professional-level scientific reports — with several published in academic journals. These experiences empower our young scientists to think critically, work independently, and contribute meaningfully to real scientific inquiry.