High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) and Enrichment at Cammeraygal
Cammeraygal High School endeavours to support all students and cater to diverse learning needs. We have a range of programs and initiatives that are aimed to enrich and challenge high potential and gifted students (HPG). The guiding principles of the new High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, as found on the Department of Education’s website, stress the following:
- All students, regardless of background or personal circumstances, require access to learning programs that meet their learning needs and support to aspire to, and achieve, personal excellence.
- Our commitment to high expectations for all students includes high potential and gifted students.
- Achieving excellence for high potential and gifted students is underpinned by effective school environments including quality teaching, learning and leadership.
- Potential exists along a continuum, where differing degrees of potential require differing approaches and levels of adjustment and intervention.
The Policy draws from Francoys Gagne’s definition of giftedness and talent in the Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent DMGT 2.0 (2009). The definition of high potential students across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains expands the group of targeted students of earlier policies.
Domains of potential
The domains of potential describe the four broad categories of natural abilities found in Françoys Gagné's adapted model of Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent DMGT 2.0 (2009). These definitions apply to all students, including high potential and gifted students.
The domains of potential may not be mutually exclusive and are highly influenced by one another.
Intellectual domain – refers to natural abilities in processing, understanding, reasoning, and the transfer of learning.
Creative domain – refers to natural abilities in imagination, invention and originality.
Social-emotional – refers to natural abilities in self-management and relating to and interacting with others.
Physical domain – refers to natural abilities in muscular movement and motor control.
Potential exists along a continuum, where differing degrees of potential require differing approaches and levels of adjustment and intervention.
At CHS, assessment data, teacher observation as well as primary school referrals are all considered when identifying HPG students from all four domains. Once identified, parents are contacted and the interviewing process of commences. These valuable interactions allow the HPGE coordinators to develop personalised learning plans which assist teachers when planning and delivering lessons to ensure appropriate pedagogical challenges are implemented. These plans are reviewed mid-year and then updated again at the start of each school year. As well as this, our HPGE coordinators are responsible for facilitating a range of programs aimed to optimise the development of HPG students across all domains. We also have accelerated HSC courses that we have run successfully every year since 2020. Cammeraygal aims to provide enrichment opportunities for all students, regardless of HPG identification. Details about programs and initiatives can be found below.
HPGE Coordinators
Middle School Campus - Ms. S Shorter
The Middle School Campus offers a range of enrichment opportunities that are offered to all 7-9 students. Some of these include chess club, debating, and robotics. Students who have been identified as HPG can participate in the array of activities and are also invited to join a specially designed program.
The Year 7 HPGE students work on two different projects throughout the year.The first project, Future Now, allows them to consider innovative ways to build a sustainable future. Students are encouraged to evaluate existing ideas and develop their own solutions which they share in a display for the school community. In the second semester, students focus on ancient civilizations in the Ancient Escapades Program. They are challenged with the task to design their own interactive exhibit to educate and inspire local primary school students.
During Year 8, students continue to develop their research, evaluative and creative thinking skills in the Down Under Discovery Program and the Vision Project. These projects allow students to explore Australian individuals and others from around the world and across a multitude of fields. Similarly to the Year 7 programs, the HPGE students are given the opportunity to lead a project and showcase their ideas to members of the school and wider community.
Many of our Year 9 HPGE students take on leadership roles and help support our Year 7 students transition into high school. They are also offered opportunities to participate in programs offered by the Department of Education to solve problems within our communities. Our Year 9 students are invited to participate in our peer teaching program which explores issues centred around human rights in Australia and around the world.
Senior Campus - Ms. D Cavric
The Senior School Campus continues to identify students, review students’ goals, and update individual plans to support their academic and personal growth.
With fortnightly meetings, Year 10 will create a collaborative think tank that will explore the four key domains of the HPGE program. These sessions will provide a space for students to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and enrichment activities tailored to their strengths and interests.
Additionally, we are developing a specific program for Year 10 this year, designed to further challenge and extend our HPG students. Cammeraygal looks forward to sharing more details as this initiative progresses.
Acceleration
The Accelerated program allows a group of HPG students to attempt a Stage 6 course in Year 10 and Year 11, completing the HSC course whilst they are in Year 11. We have successfully run accelerated courses since 2020. In the past we have run Society and Culture, Aboriginal Studies and, in 2025, we have offered Business Studies for the first time.
Accelerated Aboriginal Studies
Accelerated Aboriginal Studies is a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in social justice, government policies, rights and freedoms and reconciliation and want academic enrichment opportunities. Students who wish to challenge and extend their understanding of colonial history, First Nations history as well contemporary issues including legislation and reform may be good candidates for this Stage 6 course.
This course is designed to foster critical thinking skills and deepen students' understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal peoples. Through this course, students will develop a heightened understanding and appreciation of the concepts of social justice, shared histories and will critically examine their role as active and informed citizens. In addition. students will hone and refine their skills in analysis, have the opportunity to pursue independent primary and secondary research and build coherent and well supported arguments.
This course is recommended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and will allow students to make meaningful connections with local Aboriginal communities and Elders when conducting their Major Work in Year 12 (internally assessed).
Our first cohort to complete this course in 2022 did exceptionally well - every student In the class received a Band 6 and we had two students who received a State Rank! Alexia R came equal 1st and Liv W came 3rd in the state.
Accelerated Business Studies
As part of our commitment to extending high performing and gifted students, Cammeraygal High School is offering an accelerated Business Studies class in 2025. Students in this class will do the Preliminary course normally done in year 11 in year 10, and will have the opportunity to sit their HSC examination in this course in year 11. This would mean that these students will have completed two units of their HSC in year 11. Students who are not doing Business Studies as an accelerated subject can complete it as normal in year 11-12.
Business Studies examines the planning of a small business to the management of operations, marketing, finance and human resources in large businesses. Throughout the world people engage in a web of business activities to design, produce, market, deliver and support a range of goods and services. In addition, investors, consumers and employees depend on the business sector for much of their quality of life. Contemporary business issues and case studies are embedded in the course to provide a stimulating and relevant framework for students to apply to problems encountered in the business environment.
By completing this course students will develop general and specific skills, including research, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking and communication. These skills enhance their confidence and ability to participate effectively, not only as members of the business world, but also as citizens dealing with issues emanating from business activity. Business Studies fosters intellectual, social and moral development by assisting students to think critically about the role of business and its ethical responsibilities to society. Students doing the accelerated Business Studies course have the opportunity to achieve excellent HSC results and develop organisational and writing skills that will benefit them in their other stage 6 courses.
Enrichment
Enrichment programs range from extension opportunities to extracurricular activities that build on new skills and encourage interpersonal connections, across all HPGE domains. Please see below the different programs and initiatives available for all students at Cammeraygal High School, or visit the Extracurricular activities page for more information.
