High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) at Cessnock High School
Cessnock High School is committed to ensuring every student is challenged, supported, and able to thrive.
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) focuses on recognising and developing the talents of students who show high potential in one or more of the following four domains outlined by the NSW Department of Education:
Intellectual Domain
Advanced problem-solving, creativity, rapid learning, strong reasoning or academic achievement.
Creative Domain
Originality, innovation, imagination, and the capacity to generate new ideas.
Social Emotional Domain
Leadership, empathy, teamwork, communication, and interpersonal strengths.
Physical Domain
Advanced physical skills, coordination, performance capability or elite sport potential.
The HPGE policy emphasises equitable identification, differentiated learning, and ongoing talent development. At Cessnock High School, we embed this approach across teaching, extracurricular programs, and student leadership opportunities.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
Cessnock High School has developed a whole-school approach to HPGE that aligns closely with the Department’s recommended practices: Talent development, differentiated learning, and targeted enrichment programs across all domains.
HSC CONNECT Education Tutoring Program - Advanced and Standard English and Mathematics masterclasses delivered online by expert tutors to selected Year 12 HPGE students, removing barriers such as cost, distance, and tutor access.
Year 8 High Potential Numeracy Program - Selected Year 8 students work on higher-band NAPLAN numeracy questions and collaborative problem-solving tasks to build challenge, deepen mathematical reasoning, and grow confidence in advanced numeracy.
Young Mathematicians Program – University of Newcastle - Up to 10 high-potential maths students attend workshops at the University of Newcastle with academics and industry leaders, participating in advanced mathematical challenges and enrichment activities.
School-Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT) Acceleration Program - High-potential Year 9 students accelerate into SBAT pathways in Years 10–11, completing early work experience and commencing Certificate III qualifications, supporting early-entry career pathways.
Podcasting Competition - Students create and submit original podcasts using the school’s podcasting equipment, developing creativity, communication, and media production skills.
Choir Ensemble - Structured choral rehearsals for high-potential vocalists, focusing on harmony, vocal technique, ensemble skills, and performance opportunities at school and community events.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Program - The Duke of Edinburgh Award Program provides high-potential students with structured opportunities to develop advanced leadership, service, resilience, physical skill, and independence. Students participate in the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award levels, completing components such as physical recreation, skill development, volunteering, and adventurous journeys. The program extends students beyond classroom expectations, fostering initiative, teamwork, problem-solving and personal growth, while representing Cessnock High School in community and outdoor education settings.
Cessnock High School Interact - Students from 7-12 engage in projects individually, in small groups or as a whole club to assist the school, community, national programs or in support of international projects. Students have autonomy on what they want to work on. Students are empowered through mentoring to learn about problem solving, public speaking, marketing, writing proposals, fundraising, time management, connection with other stakeholders and website updates. Students work on real projects that have real outcomes for not just them, but the world around them. Students meet on Thursday break 2 in the hub.
Barney Café - A real-world enterprise and hospitality program for students with high potential in leadership, business operations, customer service, barista and café skills, and enterprise management. Students run the school café weekly, including budgeting, marketing, menu development, food preparation, and service at major events.
Springboard & Platform Diving Program - Physical-domain HPGE program for students with talent in diving, trampoline, gymnastics or other acrobatic sports. Includes Friday morning training at Lambton Pool (Term 4 & Term 1), optional weekend sessions, and preparation for Hunter Region and NSWCHS Championships. Program achievements include regional representation and state medal success.
Trampoline Program - Acrobatic-sport HPGE pathway for students interested or talented in trampoline. Training occurs on school site and through PCYC facilities to prepare students for Hunter Region and CHS State Championships. Previous results include multiple regional representatives, state medalists and state champions.
How We Identify HPGE Students at Cessnock High School
Cessnock High School uses a range of fair, inclusive, and evidence-based measures consistent with the Department’s HPGE policy. Identification is ongoing, multi-source, and not based on one test.
Our identification processes include:
1. Teacher Observation & Professional Judgement
Teachers use classroom data, behaviour indicators, and NESA syllabus outcomes to recognise emerging strengths. Staff complete ongoing HPGE professional learning to ensure consistent and accurate identification.
2. Student Achievement Data
We analyse:
- NAPLAN growth and bands
- School-based assessment
- PAT testing
- RAP/HSC data (for senior students)
- Progressive class-based evidence
3. Self- and Parent Nomination
Cessnock High School acknowledges that families and students know their strengths best. Our HPGE nomination survey allows parents and students to highlight interests, talents, and emerging strengths. This survey can be completed by the student, by the parent or together.
4. Extracurricular and Community Evidence
Coaches, mentors, and community organisations often provide valuable insights into students excelling in physical, creative, cultural or leadership domains.
Identification is dynamic, strengths-based, and open to all students at any time during their schooling.
Following the HPGE policy, Cessnock High School teachers use:
- Differentiated instruction
- Enrichment and extension activities
- High challenge tasks with appropriate support
- Flexible grouping
- Student goal-setting and feedback processes
- Universal, targeted and individualised talent development opportunities
Cessnock High School is dedicated to:
- Identifying student potential early and fairly
- Nurturing talent across all four HPGE domains
- Providing meaningful, high-quality opportunities
- Ensuring HPGE programs are accessible, equitable and transparent
- Working with families and the community to support student growth
- Students competing across zone, regional and state sport pathways
- The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC)