High potential and gifted education

Students are supported to set meaningful learning goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on their achievements, fostering growing independence and a strong sense of ownership over their learning. Across K–6, teachers deliver explicit instruction in literacy and numeracy, ensuring every student develops the foundational skills needed for success. Carefully sequenced lessons, modelled examples and guided practice provide clarity and consistency, while differentiated tasks adjust pace, complexity and opportunities for higher-order thinking to meet the needs of every learner.

Our teachers use visible learning practices—including Learning Intentions, Success Criteria and Bump It Up Walls—to make learning purposeful and progress clear for every learner. Students are encouraged to recognise what success looks like, understand their next steps and strive towards continual improvement.

STEAM learning opportunities further enrich the curriculum, allowing students to engage in hands-on activities that promote critical and creative thinking, collaboration and problem-solving. These experiences prepare students to thrive as 21st-century learners, equipping them with the ability to innovate, investigate and explore real-world challenges.

Technology is used across the school to support creative and academic expression, strengthening digital literacy and flexible thinking through multimedia learning experiences. Regular lessons in art, music, drama and sport nurture students’ creativity, confidence, teamwork and resilience, helping them flourish across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains.

Our school offers a range of programs designed to support and extend High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. Through our Student Representative Council (SRC), students develop leadership, communication and decision-making skills as they represent their peers and contribute to school initiatives. Classroom awards, assemblies and recognition systems celebrate student achievement, effort and growth, motivating learners to set goals and strive for personal excellence.

Our whole-school Wellbeing and PBL programs create a positive, supportive and inclusive environment where students feel safe, valued and ready to learn. These programs promote respectful relationships, positive behaviour and a strong sense of belonging—key foundations for high potential learners to flourish.

Aboriginal Education is embedded across K–6 classrooms, supported by the Australians Together program, ensuring Aboriginal perspectives are included across all Key Learning Areas (KLAs). This approach fosters cultural understanding, respect and inclusion while enriching learning experiences for all students. Bro Speak and Sista Speak programs further strengthen the social-emotional development, cultural identity and leadership skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These programs provide structured opportunities for mentoring, resilience-building and community connection.

Together, these initiatives provide rich opportunities for students to explore strengths, challenge themselves, build confidence and develop the capabilities needed to excel across multiple areas of learning.

Buninyong Public School proudly provides students with opportunities to extend their learning and showcase their talents beyond the classroom. Students participate in public speaking and a wide range of creative arts programs, including dance, choir, School Spectacular and eisteddfods. Many also take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and Premier’s Sporting Challenge, as well as contributing creative and practical work to Dubbo Show entries.

Our cultural performance groups play an important role in strengthening students’ connection to culture, identity and community. Through dance, music and participation in cultural celebrations, students develop pride in who they are, build a strong sense of belonging and form meaningful connections with the wider Buninyong and Dubbo communities.

We work with individual students to set personalised ‘Arts’ opportunity goals and support them through interview and audition processes. This helps open doors to external programs beyond the classroom and the school, providing access to specialist experiences and industry professionals who can nurture and extend students’ creative talents.

Students also proudly represent the school in a variety of sporting pathways, including knockout competitions and representative opportunities in swimming, athletics and cross country. These experiences allow students to demonstrate perseverance, teamwork and strong school spirit.

Many students are supported to progress to regional and state programs, helping them further develop their strengths and interests beyond primary school. The school additionally offers rich opportunities for cultural enrichment and leadership through programs such as GRIP Leadership, AECG, Moorambilla Voices, NAIDOC celebrations and community ANZAC services. These experiences foster confidence, cultural understanding, citizenship and deep community connection.