High potential and gifted education

At Broken Hill High School, HPGE is embedded in our everyday classroom practice. We are dedicated to recognising and nurturing gifted and high-potential students, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed and thrive;

• Our classrooms foster supportive environments where students feel a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to take risks, be creative, and collaborate.
• Our school follows the explicit teaching where we foster critical thinking and problem-solving strategies providing opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and curriculum depth​.
• Our classes have structured peer collaboration and reflection where strengths-based feedback and goal setting are part of learning process.
• We provide supportive learning environments that enable exploration and self-assessment creating a safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance​.
• Classes have differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking​ followed by formative assessment to monitor growth and adapt learning​.

At Broken Hill High School, we understand that each student is unique, and we offer flexible, diverse opportunities to help students discover and develop their strengths beyond the classroom;

• All students, including our high potential and gifted learners, are encouraged and supported to step into leadership. Whether it’s joining the Student Representative Council, taking part in mentoring or peer-coaching programs, or leading major school events like our ANZAC, Remembrance Day, and NAIDOC assemblies, every student has the chance to shine and make a real impact in our school community.
• We have strong relationships with our partner primary schools and coordinate high school transition through strategic and holistic opportunities ensuring all students are known, valued and cared for.
• We promote a culture of genuine inclusivity, striving for equity where every student can engage with peers, regardless of ability.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female students are supported through the Aboriginal Art and Community Education Sistas (AACES) Program.
• Macquarie University Partnership ensuring students striving for tertiary education, and their families, are supported throughout this journey.
• School-wide explicit teaching of literacy and numeracy ensuring that all students have a strong foundation for learning.
• Strategic planning for student pathways, ensuring that subject selections are targeted towards realistic post-school transitions.
• Music ensembles, Visual arts and drama showcases providing opportunities for students to express their talents in the creative domain.
• Representative team and individual sporting opportunities

Broken Hill High School students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of state-wide programs designed to extend and enrich their potential;

• Active involvement with the Education Pathways Program facilitating a deep-dive into high-potential industry tailored learning.
• 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 CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.
• The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), provides our gifted learners with challenging opportunities to extend their critical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond the classroom, showcasing the strength of our regional school in nurturing high-performing students.
• The Clontarf Academy at Broken Hill High School supports Aboriginal boys to build confidence, resilience, and leadership through engaging activities, mentoring, and education. It fosters a positive school culture and helps students achieve their full potential both academically and personally.
• The Science and Engineering Challenge provides students with hands-on opportunities to solve real-world STEM problems, fostering teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. This engaging experience inspires a deep passion for innovation and helps develop skills essential for future success.
• NSW CHS, West Darling and NSW School Sport provides high-potential students with opportunities to excel in sports. Through competitive and inclusive programs, students develop their physical skills, teamwork, and leadership, fostering both personal growth and sporting excellence.
• Our students aren’t limited to NSW sport opportunities — selected athletes are chosen to represent in interstate sporting events, allowing them to showcase their talent while successfully balancing their sporting potential with their academic commitments.