High potential and gifted education (HPGE)

At CTHS, students learn in an environment designed to maximise their potential.

As a large comprehensive school, we can offer a diverse range of class structures that cater to students’ individual needs. This may include placement in a top class or in specialised all-boys or all-girls learning groups. One of the advantages of our size and flexibility is that students can move fluidly between classes to find the environment that best supports their academic and personal growth.

When students with similar interests and abilities learn together, teachers can accelerate the pace of instruction and explore concepts in greater depth. Learning alongside like-minded peers has been shown to enhance both academic and social outcomes. Many students report that they enjoy classes with students who share their interests and who motivate and challenge them.

In addition to our classroom-based HPGE program, CTHS offers an extensive range of extra-curricular opportunities, including sport, creative and performing arts, music, and a variety of special interest clubs.

Selection Process for the High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Stage 4 Classes at CTHS

The process to enrol at Cherrybrook Technology High School for Year 7 begins in March of the previous year ie. when students are in Year 6.

• An Expression of Interest for Placement in Year 7 is completed by parents/carers and reviewed by the Cherrybrook Technology High School Enrolment Committee. More information here.
• By the end of May, successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified and ONLY successful applicants are provided with an application to sit an entrance examination for placement in the Year 7 HPGE class.
• This examination is held at the school during August of the year prior to students starting in Year 7.
• Only students who have been notified that their Expression of Interest for Placement at CTHS in Year 7 was successful are eligible to sit this examination.
• Multiple criteria are used to determine the class and to ensure the selection process is fair and reliable.
• There is no examination held for the entry to the Year 8 HPGE class. Selection for this class is based on the academic performance of students during Year 7.

In our classrooms

Our classroom environment fosters belonging and provides a safe, supportive space for sharing ideas, creativity and collaboration. HPGE classes operate as dynamic learning communities where students learn from one another as well as from their teacher. As a large, diverse high school we offer;

• 50+ Stage 6 HSC Courses

• 130+ Stage 5 Elective options- unitised, vertical, semesterised curriculum.

• Flexible grouping structures enable students to collaborate with a range of peers, with leadership shared according to individual strengths; for example;

  • HPGE classes in Years 7–8

  • Targeted classes in Years 9–10

  • HSC Extension Courses;

    • English Ext 1 & 2,
    • History Ext
    • LOTE Ext
    • Mathematics Ext 1 and 2
    • Music Ext
    • Science Ext

  • Accelerated HSC Aboriginal Studies

• Students engage in learning tasks that encourage choice, higher-order thinking and creative problem-solving.

• Teachers explicitly teach key skills using past exemplars and HSC benchmarks to set clear, high expectations.

• Students benefit from extensive teacher and peer feedback and participate in regular self-reflection to develop strong metacognitive skills.

• Alumni report that the skills gained at CTHS have equipped them well for life beyond school, particularly for university study.

Beyond the classroom

We believe every student has unique strengths, and we offer diverse Enrichment and Extension Opportunities to help them discover, develop and extend their skills beyond the classroom.

Our extensive extra curricular opportunities are, but not limited to;

• STEM electives and Mathematics Enrichment Programs
• Participation in STEM competitions (Sun Sprint, Game Changer Challenge, Olympiads)
• Olympiad opportunities, study clinics, university partnerships and Science Week activities
• Enrichment programs (Euler, Gauss, Noether)
• Australian Mathematics Competition and APSMO Olympiad teams
• Invitations to AMT High Performance pathways (results-based)
• Student leadership through SRC, Social Justice Committee, Peer Support, Peer Tutoring and the Big Sister Program
• Debating and public speaking (Premier’s Debating, Legacy, Evatt Model UN, Mock Trial)
• Literary Festival with visiting authors
• Big Band Music Ensemble
• Dance/Cheer REP Team
• Dance, Drama and Music Ensemble programs and performance showcases
• Vast range of sports and representative opportunities including knockout, zone and Combined High Schools and Australian All Schools
• Social Justice, Writers’ Club, Chess, Cards Club, Zonta, Launch Box, Games Club and other student-driven groups

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.

Contact us