High potential and gifted education (HPGE)
At Woonona High School, by living our school values of Respect, Integrity, Success and Excellence our expectation is that every student, every teacher and our school improves every year.
At Woonona High School we;
We are proud to be a vibrant, innovative and inclusive high school that values strong community partnerships. Our world-class educators deliver excellence in teaching and learning within a safe, supportive environment, helping students become confident, creative individuals who contribute to both local and global communities.
Opportunities for high potential and gifted students
Woonona High School is one of the few schools in the Illawarra to offer enrichment classes from Year 7 through to Year 10. These classes are designed for high-achieving students who are motivated, conscientious and demonstrate outstanding academic aptitude.
Recognising potential and developing talent Intellectual stimulation through challenging, advanced learning opportunities.
Intellectual Domain
Academic enrichment classes Years 7-10
Year 6 HPGE class
Debating and public speaking
International Exchange program
Pacific Theatres of War excursion for Years 11 and 23 Modern History students
University of Wollongong STEM Challenge
University of Wollongong Discovery Days
Physical Domain
Knockout sports competitions
Duke of Edinburgh award
Premiers Sporting Challenge
Sporting Gala Days
Creative Domain
Musical Theatre production biannually (We Will Rock You in 2026)
Year 7 CAPA Enrichment class
Band program
Musical tutoring program (subsidised)
Unplugged performance opportunity each term
Vocal Ensemble
Accelerated Visual Arts
Socio/emotional Domain
Peer Support Leadership
RISE Ambassador program
School Representative Council
Local
Creative
Southern Stars
School Spectacular
Year 6 HPGE, Year 7 Academic Enrichment and RISE Ambassador Information
Woonona High School is proud to be an inclusive school at the centre of our community, serving the needs of all learners. We aim to provide every student with the support and resources that they need to be successful at school, so that, with our school and every teacher, every student also improves every year.
We are proud of the improvements in learning that have been achieved at Woonona High School over the recent past, underpinned by our evidence based 4Cs pedagogy where skilled teacher practitioners explicitly teach and embed communication, creativity, critical reflection and collaboration, skills essential for success for our students no matter their post school pathway.
We are also very proud to have achieved the highest average results in the 2024 HSC examinations and the one All Rounder in 2025 for comprehensive schools on the South Coast, a testament to our committed and highly skilled teaching staff.
Each year, Year 6 students from our three local primary schools, Russell Vale Woonona and Woonona East Public Schools have been attending a High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program at Woonona High School on a fortnightly basis. These students are automatically placed in the Academic Enrichment class in Year 7, and they have the opportunity to apply for the Year 7 CAPA Enrichment class. Entry to the Year 8-10 Academic Enrichment classes are by annual application.
Applications for the Year 6 HPGE and Year 7 Academic Enrichment classes are invited from Year 5 students in 2026. These classes are open to all students who live in the Woonona High School catchment area or who attend one of our three feeder schools: Russell Vale Public School, Woonona Public School and Woonona East Public School.
The RISE Ambassador is a leadership position that is awarded to a student who demonstrates the school values of Respect, Integrity, Success and Excellence. More information can be found here. (coming)
Opportunities for high potential and gifted students
Woonona High School is one of the few schools in the Illawarra to offer enrichment classes from Year 7 through to Year 10. These classes are designed for high-achieving students who are motivated, conscientious and demonstrate outstanding academic aptitude.
Recognising potential and developing talent
Intellectual stimulation through challenging, advanced learning opportunities
Tailored lessons
Specialised teaching methods tailored to high potential learners.
Rich opportunities and activities
The opportunity to work alongside like-minded peers.
Opening doors to wider experiences
Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide opportunities that aim to extend and enrich student potential.
What is high potential and gifted education?
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs.
We do this through:
- effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration
- tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire
- access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.
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 Woonona High School:
- Our teachers engage in professional learning to support the diverse needs of all students. Including high potential and gifted learners.
- Our Creative and Performing Arts faculty nurtures the talents of high potential and gifted students. This achievement highlights our commitment to fostering artistic excellence and celebrating cultural pride within our diverse community.
At Woonona High School:
- We recognise that every student is individual, we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.
- Our Variety Nights and Unplugged performances provides an opportunity for our high potential students to perform for the families and community to develop and showcase their talents.
- The school network VET program provides opportunities for our high potential students .
- Students have the opportunity to have a voice through our Student Representative Council (SRC).
- Students studying Hospitality have the opportunity to develop, enhance and showcase their skills through the Cafe, and catering for events.
- Students from our Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) and Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) classes work with primary schools developing their leadership skills and performing roles as student officials for primary school sporting events.
- We work with other regional schools to share our expertise and classroom resources for the benefit of all students.
- We partner with community organisations to provide opportunities for student voice and student advocacy.
- We connect our students to industry experts and positive role models in areas of interest to them.
Our students have the following opportunities:
- The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from NSW public schools. In 2025, two of our high potential and gifted students did their Entertainment work placement at School Spectacular developing their leadership skills, creativity, performance presence and physical expressiveness.
- 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.
- Our mentoring programs connect our students with trusted adults including school alumni to build confidence, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
Dates for Year 5 2026/Year 6 2027 cohort
Year 5 Community of Schools Day Wednesday 25 February 2026 9:00-12:00
Open Day event Monday 16 March 2026 4:00-5:30 pm
Applications for Year 6/7 HPGE program Friday 20 March 2026 3:00pm
Applications for RISE Ambassador Friday 20 March 2026 3:00pm
Dates for Year 4 2026/Year 5 2027/Year 6 2028 cohort
Open Day event Monday 16 March 2026 4:00-5:30 pm
Year 6 HPGE Graduation and overview of HPGE program
Wednesday 14 October 2026 11:00-12:00pm
Year 5 Community of Schools Day Wednesday 24 February 2027
Open Day event Monday 15 March 2027 4:00-5:30 pm
Applications for Year 6/7 HPGE program Friday 19 March 2027 3:00pm
Applications for RISE Ambassador Friday 19 March 2027 3:00pm
Additional information
Dates for Year 6 2027 (all Wednesdays)
Term 1 Weeks 5, 7, 9 24 Feb, 10 March, 24 March
Term 2 Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 28 April, 12 May, 26 May, 9 June, 23 June
Term 3 Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 21 July, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sept, 15 Sept
Term 4 Week 1 - Graduation 13 October
Our Success value recognises that success looks different for each student each day.
Start your journey to success with Woonona High School today.
Applications for the 2026 Enrichment Class are now closed.
Families who are interested in applying for Year 7 in 2027 are encouraged to register their interest by contacting the school office.
Register interest for 2027
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