High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

At Coonabarabran High School, we believe every student should have the chance to grow, achieve, and reach their full potential. Our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) approach supports students with advanced abilities across creative, academic, physical, and social-emotional domains. We aim to recognise these strengths early and provide learning that helps students develop as confident, capable, and curious learners.

Our classrooms are supportive, inclusive, and academically challenging. Teachers use clear instruction, open-ended tasks, and inquiry-based learning to encourage students to think deeply, solve problems, and make meaningful connections across their subjects. Students are encouraged to collaborate, take on leadership roles, and reflect on how they learn best.

Feedback highlights strengths, personal goals, and next steps, helping students build confidence and resilience. Learning experiences are adjusted where needed—through pace, complexity, or specialised tasks—so every student is both challenged and supported. When evidence shows a student is ready for further challenge, they may be offered enrichment, extension, or acceleration opportunities that promote independence and creativity.

We monitor student growth through regular reflection, progress checks, and work samples to support ongoing improvement. At Coonabarabran High School, HPGE is part of everyday learning. We are committed to a school culture where high expectations, strong relationships, and rich opportunities help all students succeed.

Across our school

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Coonabarabran High School offers students many ways to learn, explore, and grow beyond their regular lessons. We believe every young person brings their own strengths, so we provide a variety of programs that help students discover new interests, build confidence, and feel connected to their school community.

• Leadership and Service:
  Students can develop their leadership skills through roles in the Student Representative Council, the Prefect team, and our House Captain system. These positions encourage students to take initiative, work with others, and contribute to key school events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and NAIDOC Week ceremonies.
• Academic Excellence:
  Learners who enjoy academic challenge can take part in enrichment activities from Year 7 onward, as well as senior extension subjects in the senior years. Our Homework Centre gives students a calm, supportive place to study, receive help, and stay on track with their goals.
• Creative and Performing Arts:
  The arts are a vibrant part of life at CHS. Students can perform, exhibit, and create through drama, music, and visual arts. School showcases, concerts, and exhibitions allow students to share their work with families and the wider community.
• Sport and Teamwork:
  Sport plays an important role at our school. Students participate in a range of activities, including athletics, netball, basketball, soccer, rugby league, swimming, and cross country. Many go on to represent CHS at zone, regional, and state levels, showing commitment, teamwork, and school pride.
• Debating and Public Speaking:
  Students from Years 7–12 can take part in debating and public speaking, learning to express ideas clearly and think quickly under pressure. Teams regularly compete in local and regional competitions.
• Agriculture:
  Agriculture offers hands-on learning through working with livestock, preparing animals for shows, and building practical skills alongside local industry partners. These experiences strengthen teamwork and connect students to the region’s agricultural heritage.
• Science, Technology, and Robotics:
  STEM learning is strengthened by our Robotics team, which represents Coonabarabran High School in events such as the Dual Down Under. This fast-paced competition challenges students to design, build, and program robots to complete a range of technical tasks, encouraging innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Coonabarabran High School is a place where learning continues well beyond the classroom. Through these opportunities, students develop the skills and confidence they need to shape their future and make a positive difference in their world.

Across NSW

Across academics, the arts, and sport, our students can take part in programs offered across New South Wales that help them stretch their skills and explore new interests.