At Manly Vale Public School, we believe every student deserves to be known, challenged and supported to reach their full potential. Our approach to High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) is not limited to a single class or program. It is a carefully planned, whole-school approach that identifies and develops students’ strengths across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains.
Our goal
Through a balance of extension, enrichment and purposeful talent development, we aim to ensure students’ strengths are recognised, nurtured and developed over time.
What do “high potential” and “gifted” actually mean?
High potential and giftedness are more than being a strong student, achieving above expected levels or learning quickly. High-potential students demonstrate potential that exceeds that of students of the same age in one or more domains, while gifted students demonstrate potential that significantly exceeds that of their same-age peers.
Potential exists along a continuum and may occur across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional or physical domains. Students may demonstrate different degrees of potential and therefore require different levels of challenge, adjustment and intervention.
Potential and achievement are not the same thing. A student may demonstrate high achievement without necessarily being identified as high potential or gifted. Equally, a student may have significant potential that is not currently reflected in their achievement.
Talent develops when a student’s potential is systematically developed into a high level of performance or achievement.
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The four domains of potential
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Identifying, monitoring and responding to potential
Identification at MVPS is evidence-informed, ongoing and responsive. We recognise that potential can present in different ways and may emerge or become more evident over time. Identification is not a one-off event. It is an ongoing process of recognising, understanding and responding to each student's strengths and learning needs.
Multiple sources of evidence We build a detailed picture of each student using assessment data, teacher observations, work samples, student voice, family input and other evidence of potential.
Ongoing identification Potential and learning needs can become more evident over time. Students are monitored and can be considered or reconsidered as new evidence emerges.
Collaborative review Our HPGE Team works with teachers, students and families to review evidence, understand learning needs and determine appropriate next steps.
From potential to action Identification has a purpose. Evidence informs appropriate challenge, extension, enrichment and talent-development opportunities for students.
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Student Voice
At Manly Vale, we value student voice as an important part of understanding and developing potential. Listening to students helps us understand how they experience challenge and engagement, what sparks their curiosity, where their strengths and interests lie, and the opportunities they find most valuable.
Student perspectives are considered alongside other evidence to help us reflect on and shape our HPGE programs, extension and enrichment opportunities, and approaches to talent development. By listening to our students, we can continue to strengthen opportunities that are meaningful, challenging and responsive to the learners in our school.
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Our High Potential and Gifted Education Opportunities
Students at Manly Vale Public School access high-potential learning both in the classroom and beyond it, with school-based initiatives and state-wide programs that stretch, inspire and extend their talents.
In our classroom
High Potential and Gifted Education is embedded in everyday teaching at Manly Vale. Teachers use assessment and evidence to identify students’ current levels of mastery and provide learning experiences that offer appropriate pace, depth, complexity and challenge.
Classroom responses may include differentiated curriculum and assessment, purposeful grouping, curriculum compacting, extension and enrichment, advanced and open-ended learning experiences, higher-order thinking, inquiry and problem solving, strengths-based goal setting and opportunities for leadership and collaboration.
Our staff engage in ongoing professional learning to strengthen their capacity to recognise potential and provide sustained, purposeful challenge for advanced learners.
Across our school
Across our school, students have access to a wide range of extension, enrichment and talent-development opportunities. These experiences allow students to explore strengths and interests across the four domains and engage with learning beyond the classroom.
Intellectual
APSMO Mathematics programs including Maths Quest, Maths Explorer, Maths Games and Maths Olympiad; STEM; Chess Club; debating; public speaking; creative writing; academic competitions and other opportunities for advanced thinking and problem solving.
Creative
Junior and Senior Choir; Junior, Intermediate and Senior Band; Art Shack; Drama Club; dance; creative writing; performance opportunities and other creative arts experiences.
Physical
PSSA sport, school carnivals, representative sporting opportunities and pathways that enable students to develop and demonstrate physical potential.
Social-emotional
Student leadership, SRC, Peer Support, debating, public speaking and other opportunities that develop communication, collaboration, influence and leadership.
Many opportunities naturally develop potential across more than one domain, reflecting the interconnected nature of students’ strengths. The range of programs offered may evolve over time as we respond to student strengths, interests and emerging opportunities.
Across NSW
Our students also access a range of NSW Department of Education and external opportunities that extend learning beyond the school.
These include:
Arts Unit programs including Arts Alive, Pulse Alive and the Festival of Choral and Instrumental Music
APSMO programs (Maths Quest, Explorers, Games and Olympiad)
Premier’s Spelling Bee
Premier’s Multicultural Public Speaking Competition
Bear Pit Public Speaking Competition
Premier’s Debating Challenge
Premier’s Reading Challenge
External writing competitions
We support students and families through relevant nomination, selection and participation processes, helping students access opportunities that align with their strengths, interests and potential. The breadth of opportunities available forms an important part of our whole-school approach to developing potential into talent.
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Extension and enrichment at Manly Vale
Extension and enrichment both play important but different roles in developing student potential.
Extension provides greater depth, complexity, pace or challenge for students who are ready to move beyond their current level of mastery. It is responsive to identified learning needs and may occur within the classroom or through targeted programs and opportunities.
Enrichment broadens students’ experiences by providing opportunities to explore interests, ideas, skills and learning beyond the core curriculum.
At Manly Vale, enrichment opportunities are available broadly across the school, while extension is matched to students’ demonstrated readiness and learning needs. Both contribute to the development of potential and talent across the four domains.
For a detailed overview of the enrichment and extension opportunities available at Manly Vale Public School, please see our Enrichment and Extension Overview.
If you feel your child may be gifted or have high potential in a particular area, we encourage you to start by speaking with your child’s classroom teacher. Teachers can then gather relevant information and make a referral to the HPGE Committee so your child’s strengths can be considered and supported.
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Extension opportunities at MVPS
MVPS Band
Our Band Program is a vibrant and cherished part of school life at Manly Vale. With three ensembles, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Band, students of all skill levels have the opportunity to learn an instrument, grow their musicianship and experience the joy of performing as part of a team.
Throughout the year, our bands take part in workshops, band camps, community events and both formal and informal performances. Students learn dedication, collaboration and confidence as they fine-tune their skills and work towards shared musical goals.
The program is a wonderful blend of hard work, creativity and fun, and our musicians achieve incredible results, both individually and together. Most importantly, students form strong friendships, build lasting memories and experience the pride that comes from being part of something truly special.
For further information about our school bands, please visit the Band Website.
Debating
Debating is a vibrant and exciting opportunity for students who enjoy speaking, thinking on their feet and working as part of a team. Interested students are invited to try out at the beginning of the year, and from these auditions one to two school teams are formed. Our debaters learn how to build strong arguments, listen respectfully, collaborate with teammates and present their ideas with confidence and clarity. Throughout the year, teams compete in a range of inter-school competitions, proudly representing Manly Vale with thoughtful reasoning, teamwork and spirited school pride.
Premier's Reading Challenge
Each year, our students proudly take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, a statewide initiative that encourages children to discover the joy of reading. The challenge inspires students to explore a wide range of high-quality literature, build reading stamina and develop a lifelong love of books.
With the support of our teachers and library team, students set personal reading goals, share recommendations with friends and celebrate their progress along the way. Completing the challenge is an exciting achievement, and many of our students participate year after year, growing as readers and embracing the magic that stories bring to their learning.
STEM Club
Our STEM Club gives curious and creative thinkers the chance to dive deeper into science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on challenges, problem-solving tasks and real-world investigations. Students might build prototypes, code robots, explore engineering concepts or work together on exciting design projects that stretch their thinking.
Teachers identify students who show strong curiosity, creative problem-solving or a passion for STEM learning, inviting them to take part in this enriching program. STEM Club not only extends students academically, it builds teamwork, resilience and confidence as they explore new ideas and discover just how fun innovation can be.
Maths Extension Opportunities
Manly Vale Public School proudly competes in the Australasian Problem-Solving Mathematical Olympiad (APSMO) each year, with our students having consistently placed in the top 10% nationally for the past three years. Their achievements have earned the school a well-deserved award, and a trophy that celebrates their hard work, teamwork and mathematical thinking.
We also invite students to take part in Maths Games, Maths Quest, and Maths Explorer, giving younger learners the chance to expand their thinking, build confidence and discover the joy of mathematical problem-solving. These programs nurture early talent, spark curiosity and help students develop a genuine love of maths from the very beginning of their school journey.
Art Shack!
Art Shack is one of our most loved creative programs at Manly Vale. Each stage is offered its own dedicated lunchtime art class, where students are selected by their teachers to explore and extend their artistic skills in a supportive, inspiring environment. Guided by experienced teachers who adore art and champion creativity, students experiment with techniques, materials and ideas that encourage confidence, imagination and joyful expression.
Throughout the year, students develop a body of work that culminates in our much-anticipated MVPS Art Expo; a vibrant celebration of creativity where families and the wider community are invited to admire the incredible talent across our school. Many pieces are also submitted to local exhibitions, giving students the excitement of showcasing their work beyond the school gates.
Art Shack is a place where students feel encouraged, valued and proud of their creativity; a space to grow, take risks, and shine.
Drama Club
Drama Club offers students the opportunity to build confidence, creativity and collaboration through performance. Students explore acting skills, movement, voice and storytelling in a supportive and energetic environment, learning to express ideas and emotions in new ways. Each year, our Drama Club proudly performs at the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Alive Drama Festival at The Concourse, Chatswood, giving students the exciting experience of performing on a professional stage. Through drama, students grow as communicators, team members and confident performers, skills that support them both on stage and beyond the classroom.
Choir
Our school choir brings students together through a shared love of music, singing and performance. Choir members develop vocal skills, confidence and teamwork while enjoying the experience of making music with others. Students rehearse regularly and perform at school events and special performances, proudly representing Manly Vale Public School. Choir is a joyful, inclusive opportunity for students to express themselves, build friendships and experience the excitement of performing as part of a supportive ensemble.
Dance Ensembles (Boys and Girls)
Our Dance Ensembles provide students in Years 4–6 with the opportunity to develop confidence, teamwork and performance skills through movement. With separate boys’ and girls’ ensembles, students rehearse regularly to learn choreographed routines that celebrate creativity, expression and collaboration. Performances throughout the year allow students to showcase their hard work, build stage presence and experience the joy of performing as part of a committed team.
Young Archies
This year our talented and artistic teachers in our school introduced a Young Archie's competition off the back of the famous Australia Archibald Prize Competition. Students were offered an opportunity to submit a portrait of someone who is special to them and who plays a significant role in their life. The submissions were judged and each grade awarded a winner for 2026. This initiative showcased the enormous creative talent we have in our school and the opportunities MVPS provide for students to demonstrate their creative flair.
Meet the team!
Mrs Tina Lee – Principal
Mrs Lee is the driving force behind HPGE at MVPS and a passionate champion for helping every student reach their potential. A truly hands on principal, Tina knows her students by name, by strength and by story. You’ll find her in classrooms, on the playground and working alongside teachers to ensure every child is known, challenged and supported. She creates the trust and encouragement that allow big ideas to become real opportunities, while keeping our approach grounded in evidence informed practice. Tina has a remarkable ability to see potential in both students and staff. She inspires us to think bigger, backs us to make it happen and, in doing so, shapes the culture that makes MVPS so special.
Ms Jessica Legg – HPGE Coordinator
Ms Legg is passionate about finding potential that isn’t always obvious and creating the right challenge to help it flourish. With a Master of Education specialising in Gifted Education, she has a particular interest in neurodiverse learners, underachievement and hidden potential. A firm believer in thinking outside the box (and occasionally questioning why there needs to be a box at all!), Jess loves creativity, divergent thinking and problems where there isn’t always one right answer. As MVPS’s HPGE Coordinator and a Dee Why X Network HPGE Leader, she works to inspire students, build teacher capacity and strengthen HPGE practice. Her door is always open to students, staff and families to ask questions, share ideas or talk about how we can help a student’s potential shine.
Mrs Mauger is our choir extraordinaire, bringing energy, creativity and a fabulous pair of bright acrylic earrings to everything she does! She leads our Senior Choir and coordinates Arts Unit opportunities including Arts Alive, Pulse Alive and the School Spectacular. Beyond MVPS, Bek is an Ensemble Manager and Tutor with Sydney North Singers. She is also our resident tech guru, bringing performances to life through sound, lighting and behind the scenes magic. Bek brings her enthusiasm to the intellectual domain through APSMO Maths Explorer, encouraging young mathematicians to stretch their thinking and enjoy problem solving. She is also a valued member of our Wellbeing Committee, bringing the same energy and community spirit to school life.
Mrs Johnston is an HPGE powerhouse, bringing dedication and expertise to a range of opportunities at MVPS! She leads our Maths Olympiad, Premier’s Spelling Bee and debating teams, challenging students to think deeply, communicate confidently and push themselves beyond what they thought possible. Her debating teams have had an outstanding year, and Monika has a wonderful way of helping students sharpen their thinking, find their voice and work together as a team. A valued member of our HPGE Team, she is always looking for ways to challenge students and help their talents shine.
Miss Alisha Tamone – Creative & Social-Emotional Domains
Miss Tamone brings enthusiasm, energy and a can do attitude to everything she takes on at MVPS! She coordinates the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition, helping students find their voice and build the confidence to share it. Alisha also leads our Junior Band program, coordinating everything from rehearsals and performances to band camp and special events. A true adventure enthusiast, she is just as likely to be spotted running, swimming or climbing a rock as she is organising the next opportunity for our students! Always ready to jump into something new, Alisha loves creating experiences where students can perform, express themselves and discover talents they may not even know they have yet.
Miss Charlotte Hepworth – Physical, Creative & Social-Emotional Domains
Miss Hepworth is our resident sport superstar and go to for all things active at MVPS! Usually sporting her signature high ponytail, Charlotte can often be found clocking up kilometres before most of us have even hit snooze. She coordinates our school and zone athletics and cross-country carnivals, coaches PSSA and leads our boys and girls dance ensembles, creating opportunities for students to compete, perform and shine. But sport is only part of the story. Charlotte also supports our debating program and is always ready to jump into opportunities across the school. With endless energy and a passion for getting students involved, she helps students build confidence, develop their talents and discover just how far they can go.
Mrs Kate Adamo – Intellectual & Creative Domains
Mrs Adamo is our STEM star, bringing curiosity, creativity and clever problem solving to MVPS! She leads our STEM Club, where incredible inventions come to life and students learn to collaborate, create and innovate. Kate brings extensive expertise in supporting neurodiverse learners and recognising potential that may not always be immediately obvious. She has a knack for spotting strengths that others might miss and helping students see those strengths in themselves. Kate also brings her signature immaculate handwriting to the team, which is so neat we’re fairly certain Times New Roman has some competition!
Mr Keiren Le Jeune – Intellectual & Physical Domains
Mr Le Jeune brings mathematical thinking and sporting spirit to the HPGE Team! He leads our APSMO Maths Games program, encouraging students to tackle unfamiliar problems, explore different strategies and stretch their thinking. Away from the maths problems, Keiren is rarely far from a football field. As a coach, referee and player, he brings his love of the game to the Physical Domain and enjoys helping students challenge themselves, build confidence and work as a team. Whether there’s a tricky problem to solve or a football in play, Keiren is always ready for the challenge!
