High potential and gifted education
At our school, we are committed to supporting the learning needs of all students, including those who demonstrate high potential across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains.
We follow the NSW Department of Education’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, which guides us to recognise, extend and challenge students so they can achieve their personal best.
Our approach includes:
- Early identification of students with high potential using a range of evidence, not just test results.
- Differentiated and explicit teaching in every classroom to provide stretch, challenge and enrichment.
- Opportunities for extension and enrichment, such as project-based learning, competitions, leadership programs, creative and performing arts initiatives, sport pathways, and specialised learning experiences.
- Tracking student growth and regularly reviewing learning needs to ensure ongoing challenge and support.
We believe that high potential can be found in every classroom, and we work in partnership with families to help students explore their strengths, build their talents and thrive.
What does Canley Vale High School offer your high potential or gifted child?
Our Intellectual Domain programs extend students who think deeply, solve complex problems and thrive on academic challenge. Opportunities include HPGE classes in Years 7–10, Accelerated Mathematics, HSC Extension courses, debating, academic competitions, and enrichment programs such as The VALE Mathematicians, Tournament of the Minds and high-achievers electives.
Accelerated Mathematics program
Our Accelerated Mathematics Program supports high-potential learners who are ready for advanced challenge. Students move through course content at a faster pace, engage with complex problem-solving, and have the opportunity to access senior mathematics earlier, building strong foundations for Extension pathways in the senior years. Our success includes:
- Over 50 students across Years 7 to 11 participating in Accelerated Mathematics in 2025
- Recent HSC success includes 18 Year 11 students achieving a Band 6 (E4) result
- Students are able to sit the HSC for Mathematics one year ahead of their cohort, allowing for greater achievement across their remaining subjects.
The Physical Domain supports students with talent in movement, sport and physical performance. Students can participate in knockout competitions, zone and state representative sport, the Premier’s Sporting Challenge, Running Club and access training in the gym, orienteering and peer coaching. Major works in TAS subjects also showcase physical skill, design and craft.
Talented Basketball Development Program
Our Basketball Program provides students with high-level coaching, structured morning training sessions and meaningful competitive opportunities. With consistent attendance, full CVHS training uniform, team-based drills, and weekly scrimmages between age groups, students build discipline, communication and strong on-court relationships. Through conditioning, skill development and participation in major competitions, players strengthen their athletic performance while developing leadership, resilience and teamwork. Our recent success includes:
- Zone Champions of the CHS Competition (Under 15s Boys and Girls Team)
- Winners of DIV 3 Basketball NSW Regional Schools Tournament (Under 16 Boys)
- Runner Up of DIV 3 Basketball NSW State Schools Tournament (Under 16 Boys).
Our Creative Domain nurtures imagination, innovation and artistic expression. Students engage in dance, drama, music and visual arts through school productions, talent development pathways such as School Spectacular and The Arts Unit, the ARTSMART program, artists-in-residence experiences, creative camps, national writing competitions and the school media and photography team.
Drama
Our Drama programs encourage students to express themselves, collaborate creatively and develop confidence on stage. Through school productions, performance workshops and opportunities to showcase work in festivals and showcases, students grow as performers, storytellers and creative thinkers. Our success includes:
- 2025 On Stage nominations for HSC Group Performance and individual excellence in costume design
- Invitations to perform at The Spotlight Drama Festival, NSW State Drama Festival and Combined School Musical, COLAB with The Arts Unit
- Finalists in the Theatre Sports School Challenge
- Initiatives with Belvoir Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company
- 2023 and 2024 HSC Drama students - over 80% achieving and Band 5 or 6 results.
The Social–Emotional Domain builds leadership, empathy and connection. Students can take on roles in the SRC, as School Captains, Prefects or House Captains, and participate in Pasifika and Middle Eastern cultural programs. Student-led initiatives include the Breakfast Club, WoW Ambassadors, Peer Support, and events such as NAIDOC, Refugee Week and Reconciliation Week. Programs like ABCN mentoring and Primary School Buddies further strengthen student voice and community engagement.
Student Leadership
Our student leadership programs, including the SRC and House Sports Captains, give students meaningful opportunities to influence school culture, lead events and represent their peers. Leaders develop communication, teamwork and responsibility while helping to shape a positive and connected school community. Our students are proudly involved in:
- School Captains and prefect leadership program
- WOW - Ambassadors. Improving our environment
- Recognition from Fairfield City Council for contributions to Youth Leadership, The Arts and Volunteer Work
- Members of the Youth Advisory Committee
- Representation at community events
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.
- High Achievers classes in Years 7 to 10
- Accelerated Mathematics program
- Differentiated tasks that adjust pace, complexity and higher-order thinking
- Evidence-informed teaching that supports all students to achieve personal excellence
- Tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking
- Flexible grouping for collaborative ideation and presentation
- Access to quality training facilities - Gym, commercial grade kitchens, Trade Training Centre
- Safe learning environments that encourage confidence, risk-taking, and perseverance
- Early identification through ability and achievement tests, performance based assessments, formative assessment and teacher observation
- Elective course in iSTEM and High achievers (critical thinking, philosophy and psychology)
- HSC Tutorial Program
- Clubs - Book, chess, Running, STEM and Coding
- Extension HSC Subjects - History, Science, Music, English and Mathematics
- School Performances and Productions
- Visual arts and drama showcases
- Schools Events - Multicultural Day
- Student led initiatives such as Breakfast Club and activities for NAIDOC Week
- Debating
- Student Leadership opportunities - SRC, HOUSE, Media and Photography team
- Participation in whole-school inclusion and wellbeing initiatives
- State and National Competitions
- Premiers Reading and Sporting Challenge
- The Representative School Sport Pathway and CHSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels
- The Schools Spectacular is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools
- Talent Development Programs
- Links with the Australian Business and Community Network
- Our STEM Enrichment Partnerships with industry deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration
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