High potential and gifted education (HPGE)

In our classroom

We identify students' learning needs in the classroom and use evidence-informed teaching practices to challenge and extend students. We provide learning pathways, including enrichment, extension programs and acceleration opportunities

Across our school

Our school identifies and supports students with high potential through targets enrichment, extension and extra-curricular opportunities across all HPGE domains (Academic, Physical, Creative and Social/Emotional) with activities such as debating, public speaking, critical thinking workshops, STEM, PSSA NSW Knockout Competitions, Dance, Music and Choir groups, Wellbeing Ambassadors, and Meeters and Greeters.

Elanora Heights Public School is a proud member of 'The NEST' - The Narrabeen Elanora Student and Teacher Collaboration (Narrabeen North PS, Elanora Heights PS, Narrabeen Lakes PS and Narrabeen Sports High School). This local initiative is innovative, purpose driven and community based, focused on creating opportunities for students to engage in select activities that encourages problem solving skills, collaborative work and critical and creative thinking.

Across NSW

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

HPGE - Academic Domain

ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools)

Independent, skills-based assessments that measure students’ performance in key areas such as English, Mathematics, Science and Writing. They provide diagnostic information on how students perform compared to peers nationally and internationally, helping schools identify strengths and areas for improvement.

WABIAD - Year 5

The Write a Book in a Day (WABIAD) competition is an Australian-based creative challenge in which teams have 12 hours to write and illustrate a children’s book, using a surprise set of parameters.

Premier's Debating Challenge

State-wide competition open to all New South Wales government schools from Years 5–12, designed to develop students’ reasoning and public-speaking skills.

Multicultural Public Speaking Competition

Competition encourages primary school students to explore ideas of multiculturalism in Australia while they practise their public speaking skills and improve their confidence.

Premier's Spelling Bee
An annual competition for students in NSW public, community and central schools, designed for Years 3–4 (junior) and Years 5–6 (senior). It aims to boost vocabulary, spelling proficiency and literacy engagement through in-school heats, regional finals and a state final.

The NEST - Year 3 'The Hatchery'

Students experiment with simple machines using a range of materials and equipment to solve real-world problems introduced by a STEM industry expert by working in small groups to plan, design, construct, test and improve engineering design solutions.

The NEST - Year 5 'Flying Though Time'

Students explore how people lived in the Roman Empire through an investigation of historical sources. They will be challenged to consider not only what we know, but how we know about the past. Applying new skills, students will work hands-on with Roman objects to unravel a History Mystery and solve an archaeological puzzle.

The NEST - Year 5 'Crack the Case'

Students learn and apply a range of science skills to solve a mystery, including: using a microscope, understanding and extracting DNA, paper chromatography, analysis and dissection of a (model) brain, code breaking and more.

The NEST - Year 6 'Sundials'

Students will work in small groups with a high school mentor to investigate the many ways civilisations have used the sun to decode the mysteries of time, seasons and more, before then constructing their own solar-powered time device: a sundial.

Year 6 - Creative Writing Workshop

A fantastic creative writing workshop for our Year 6 students run by Narrabeen Sports High School. The engaging sessions helped improve students’ writing skills, provided EHPS teachers with fresh ideas for the classroom, and give the high school teachers valuable insight into the students they’ll be teaching next year.

School Clubs

Coding Club, Chess Club and Stick Insect Club

HPGE - Physical Domain

Pittwater PSSA Interschool Sport Competitions

PSSA (Primary Schools Sports Association) interschool sport competitions provide students with opportunities to represent their our school in a range of team and individual sports against other local schools. These competitions promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and physical skill development while fostering school spirit and community engagement.

NSWPSSA Knockouts

The NSWPSSA knockout competitions are statewide school sport events where teams compete in an elimination format across a range of sports. They provide talented students with opportunities to represent our school and showcase their skills at progressively higher levels of competition.

NSWPSSA School Sport Representative Pathways

Offers students opportunities to progress from school-based sport to zone, regional, state, and national levels of competition. These pathways recognise and develop talented athletes across a wide range of sports, promoting excellence, fair play, and participation in representative school sport.

HPGE - Creative Domain

The NEST Musical Extravaganza

Students from the Band, Strings and Choir perform at this joint school initiative which showcases their respective talents.

EHPS Strings Program

Offers students a rich and rewarding musical experience. All Year 1 students take part in a 10-week introductory program, building foundational skills on instruments such as the violin, viola, cello and double bass.

From Years 2–6, students can join our school Strings Ensembles, performing at school assemblies, concerts, and community events. There are also opportunities for solo and small-group performances, allowing students to showcase their individual talents.

Our Senior Strings ensemble proudly represents the school at major events, including the Festival of Instrumental Music at the Sydney Opera House, celebrating excellence and teamwork in music.

EHPS Band Program

Provides students with an exciting opportunity to explore and develop their musical talents. With a wide range of instruments to choose from, including woodwind, brass, and percussion. Students can find the instrument that best suits their interests and strengths.

The program features Junior Band, Senior Band and Jazz Band, catering to all levels of experience. Band members perform regularly at school assemblies, concerts and community events, showcasing their hard work and enthusiasm for music.

EHPS Choir

Made up of students in Years 3-6 they perform at school events as well as participating in the Combined Schools Musical and the Sydney North Music Festival.

Year 5 DanceSport

A structured dance program that introduces students to ballroom and latin dancing in a fun, inclusive and physically engaging way. It promotes teamwork, confidence, coordination, and respect though partnered dance while aligning with PDHPE outcomes focused on movement, rythum and social interaction.

HPGE - Social / Emotional Domain

Halogen Young Leaders' Conference

Year 6 students, in formals leadership positions, attend this annual event. This is Australia's largest gathering of young leaders, providing a unique opportunity for our students to mix with like minded peers to hear some of Australia's most high profile people share insights from their own leadership journey.

The NEST - SRC and Student Leadership Forums

The SRC and Leadership Forums brings together student leaders from all schools. Supported by teachers, students collaborate on projects that strengthen their leadership skills, enhance school culture, and enrich student life. Through these initiatives, they build meaningful connections and foster positive change within their school communities.

Wellbeing Ambassadors

The Year 6 Wellbeing Ambassador rile is an important part of our school's Live Life Well @ School wellbeing program. They serve as role models, encouraging a safe and inclusive playground environment, especially supporting Kindergarten to Year 2 students. Ambassadors help younger students communicate effectively and engage in simple, structured playground games that foster respectful and safe play.

In addition to their playground duties, Wellbeing Ambassadors support school-wide wellbeing initiatives, including Harmony Week, Walk Safely to School Day, and other Live Life Well @ School events, contributing to a positive and harmonious school culture.

Meeters and Greeters

A select group of students, based on their strong social and emotional capacity, create a warm and welcoming environment each morning as they welcome students to school and support them to find a friend. This opportunity, extends their interpersonal skills as their friendly smiles, encouraging words and consistent presence make a genuine difference to students and their families.