High potential and gifted education
At Canterbury Boys High School, we support every student to achieve their educational potential by providing opportunities and differentiated learning experiences that stimulate students to think critically, foster a sense of curiosity and a determination to question and challenge.
We recognise that many students have high potential, and we help that potential to flourish. Our teachers identify and facilitate potential, encouraging our students to think, create and lead throughout their educational journey. We foster a culture of high expectations and equity in excellence: every student has the opportunity to develop their potential into talent.
Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?
Tailored enrichment programs
Cantabrians engage in HPGE through various enrichment programs.
We offer high quality learning opportunities to all HPGE students through our programs which include:
- Stage 4 (Years 7 - 8): A specialised program for students demonstrating high potential and giftedness, offering a rich and stimulating curriculum. Students investigate concepts through cross-curricular depth studies, examining issues through creative, technological, mathematical and applied science perspectives.
- Stage 5 (Years 9 - 10): Our Advanced Studies program provides students with the opportunity to explore complex topics such as philosophy, comparative studies of religion and beliefs, Future Speculation, 21st Century media, writing for the HSC and higher order mathematics and science.
- Stage 6 (Years 11 - 12): The Advanced Learning Pathways for High Achievers program (ALPHA) provides students with a senior HSC mentor and focuses on goal setting and growth mindsets, developing student self-understanding and metacognition.
Recognising potential and developing talent
Students participate in a wide range of opportunities to develop their talent in academics, the arts, leadership and sport.
- Specialised STEM programs such as Creativity in Research Engineering, Science and Technology program CSIRO
- Da Vinci Decathlon, a multi-disciplinary program designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of high potential learners
- Academic extension classes in English and Mathematics
- Academic competitions across a range of curriculum areas
- Debating/Public Speaking: stretching students critical thinking to build logical arguments and confidence
- School band and music ensembles that extend students creative and technical skills
- Visual arts enrichment which refines their observation skills and expands their imaginations
- School Leaders programs that afford them the opportunity to model positive culture and influence the future direction of the school
- Peer support programs and peer mentoring
- A range of extracurricular activities and clubs including Chess Club, Lego Masters, Coding and Robotics, Dungeon and Dragons
We offer a variety of programs to support our Cantabrians to build new skills, explore new interests and show leadership in the community, with our business partners and in the creative arts:
- Industry partnerships with Deloitte’s, Google and Downer Industries providing students with the platform to engage in real world business experiences
- Chess coaching program with local primary schools
- Leading volunteering in the community such as BUPA Nursing Home, Exodus Foundation, Youth Off the Streets
- Undertaking Cantabrian band performances in conjunction with local businesses community organisations and our partner schools
What is high potential and gifted education?
High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs. We are committed to developing high potential across the four domains: creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional.
How we support students in HPGE
HPGE at our school is about creating enriching experiences that have a strong focus on talent development for high potential and gifted learners to explore deep understanding of complex issues. Our learning opportunities extend thinking, encourage creativity, strengthen wellbeing and build on individual interests and abilities. Our approach includes:
- Effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration that build on each student’s strengths and passions
- Differentiated classroom experiences that challenge students and deepen learning
- Enrichment beyond the classroom where students can explore, perform, lead and compete
- A supportive culture that values curiosity, resilience and achievement
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
In our classrooms at Canterbury Boys High School:
- Enrichment is embedded in everyday learning, with opportunities designed to extend all Cantabrians and nurture their talents.
- Our teachers are trained in HPGE pedagogy to support the diverse needs of all our students including high potential and gifted learners.
- We challenge our teachers to develop the skills to meet the demands of high potential learners through innovation, co teaching and cross curricular initiatives designed to afford our Cantabrians the right environment to meet their ongoing needs.
At Canterbury Boys High School:
- We recognise that every student is an individual - we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.
- Our STEM enrichment partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
- We partner with community organisations to provide opportunities for student voice and student advocacy.
- Our high potential students are at the forefront of school leadership across all aspects of school life at Canterbury Boys High School. Every Cantabrian can have a voice and shape school policies and processes through our Student Representative Council (SRC).
At Canterbury Boys High School our high potential learners participate in the Premier’s Challenge debating competitions and related public speaking, giving them a structured way to test ideas, take intellectual risks, and respond thoughtfully to challenge.
- A key element in the Cantabrian experience is our chess program. Chess is a school sport at Canterbury Boys High School, and our high potential students compete in all the NSW State competitions across all years. In addition, we host the annual Maxwell Fuller Invitational Tournament inviting schools from across regions.
- Our mentoring programs connect our students with trusted adults including school alumni to build confidence, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
- The Representative School Sport Pathway and NSW CHSSA events enable our Cantabrians to trial and compete in sports at zone, regional and state levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
Help for your high potential child
If your child shows signs of high potential, contact us. We can share how our HPGE support can guide their learning journey.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover the opportunities our students have at our school.
Learning
Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.