High potential and gifted education

At Austinmer Public School, every learner’s potential is our priority.

• We strive to know our students to ensure that the full range of their abilities and needs is recognised
• Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration
• Teachers use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students
• Staff differentiate the pace and complexity of learning tasks across the curriculum
• Targetted groupings in English and mathematics allow for extension
• Flexible groupings allow for collaboration, problem solving and leadership opportunities
• Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of high potential and gifted learners

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. These opportunities include;

• The Student Representative Council, providing leadership opportunities and developing leadership capabilities.
• Maths Olympiad stimulating and challenging high potential and high achieving students.
• Coding club, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among our students.
• A whole school focus on STEM through opportunities like the APS Science Fair.
• Weekly lunch time clubs including Art Club and Chess Club.
• Beginner and senior band, delivered in partnership with the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.
• Our high-performing dance groups provide students with the opportunity develop advanced skills and to showcase their talent.
• Our choir offers talented students the chance to develop their vocal skills and perform in special concerts and events.
• Premiers' Sporting Challenge, PSSA competitions and carnivals.

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

• The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
• The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
• Multicultural public speaking
• Involvement in the Game Changer Challenge empowers our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking.
• The South Coast Dance Festival is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students across South Coast public schools.
• Participation in music ensembles (e.g. Choral Festival) hones our students’ musical skills, discipline and ensemble awareness.
• The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
• The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.