High potential and gifted education

At Dorrigo High School, we provide a supportive and stimulating environment where high potential and gifted students can thrive and grow into confident, capable individuals. Our HPGE program is designed to challenge and inspire students by offering enriched learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, creativity, and academic excellence. In our small school community, every student is known personally, allowing us to tailor support and nurture each learner’s unique strengths. This close-knit environment promotes strong relationships and a sense of belonging, ensuring our high potential students receive the rigorous academic experiences they need alongside personalised care and encouragement.

We use the Explicit Teaching framework to guide our lessons.

• We focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills by providing opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and deeper learning.
• Our lessons follow the learning intentions and success criteria model, which supports students in reflecting on their progress and learning effectively.
• We include structured peer collaboration and reflection, using strengths-based feedback to support ongoing learning.
• We create supportive learning environments where students feel safe to explore and assess their own learning. This helps build confidence, encourages taking risks, and promotes perseverance.
• Our classes include differentiated tasks that adjust the pace, complexity, and level of higher-order thinking to meet each student’s needs. We use regular formative assessment to check progress and adapt learning as needed.

Our school values the unique individuality of each student and offers a wide range of flexible opportunities for them to develop and showcase their talents beyond the classroom environment.

• All students, including those identified as high potential and gifted, are encouraged to embrace leadership roles through involvement in the student representative council (SRC) and leading major school events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and NAIDOC assemblies.
• Our Student Achievement and Merit System recognises and rewards students for their academic achievements and high levels of positive participation. The system is designed to acknowledge and celebrate student accomplishments.
• Students passionate about Visual Arts deepen their artistic practice through enrichment activities like excursions and workshops, visiting prominent local galleries such as Yarrila Arts and Museum. Additionally, students have the opportunity to exhibit work in local and regional art exhibitions and competitions.
• Year 10 students trained as Peer Support Leaders provide support to Year 7 students by helping them settle into high school and build positive friendships. This role enhances Year 9 students’ communication skills—through active listening, questioning, and feedback—and contributes to their emotional intelligence, establishing them as positive role models within the school community.
• Our school’s cattle showing team offers students a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in animal husbandry, teamwork, and leadership. Participants gain hands-on experience in preparing and presenting cattle at agricultural shows, fostering responsibility, discipline, and confidence. This program encourages students to excel through specialised knowledge, goal-setting, and public presentation, while nurturing critical thinking and collaboration within a real-world agricultural context.
• Our school supports students’ unique interests and talents through a range of special interest groups that bring together like-minded students and dedicated staff. These groups provide enriching opportunities for students to deepen their skills, pursue their passions, and collaborate in a supportive environment. By fostering positive relationships and encouraging peer learning, this HPGE initiative cultivates personal growth, creativity, and leadership, helping students thrive both academically and socially.

• Our school provides a vibrant debating and public speaking program that challenges students to develop advanced critical thinking, persuasive communication, and leadership skills. Students engage in local, regional, and state competitions, where they refine their ability to construct well-reasoned arguments and confidently present ideas to diverse audiences. This program encourages intellectual curiosity, fosters resilience, and cultivates collaborative teamwork, empowering students to excel academically and become articulate advocates both within and beyond the school community.
• Our students have access to 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.
• Dorrigo High School participates in the Combined Secondary Choir at School’s Spectacular, an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
• Dorrigo High School students have demonstrated outstanding leadership and initiative through their successful applications to the Minister’s Student Council (DOVES), the premier platform for student engagement with NSW public education and the Minister for Education. This initiative supports HPGE students by developing advanced communication skills, critical thinking, and a strong commitment to representing their peers. By actively participating in this council, our students contribute meaningfully to education policy discussions, showcasing their ability to influence positive change at a state level.
• Our students have the opportunity to develop STEM skills by participating in the Science and Engineering Challenge, where they collaborate in teams to design, build, and test innovative solutions to real-world engineering problems. This hands-on experience encourages creativity, critical thinking, and the practical application of scientific concepts. Through the challenge, students enhance their analytical abilities, teamwork, and leadership skills, fostering a passion for STEM and enabling them to reach their full potential.