High potential and gifted education
Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.
At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.
Our school offers a range of high potential and gifted education programs to support positive growth.
Excellerate: for curious learners with a strength in academics, leadership or creative pursuits.
Morisset High School Big Picture Academy: Through the Big Picture design students develop skills to become confident, independent, self-directed learners.
Targeted Sports Program: is an incubator for students with an interest or talent in the physical domains and elite sportspeople.
STEM and Agriculture Program: More information about this program that supports the growth of students with high potential and interest in science, engineering, mathematics, technology and agriculture, will be announced soon.
Contact us to find out more about Excellerate, Big Picture Academy or Targeted Sports Program application process.
What is high potential and gifted education?
High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs.
We do this through:
- effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration
- tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire
- access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.
Our high potential and gifted education opportunities
Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.
Our school offers a range of high potential and gifted education programs to support positive growth.
Excellerate - for curious learners with a strength in academics, leadership or creative pursuits.
Morisset High School Big Picture Academy: Through the Big Picture design students develop skills to become confident, independent, self-directed learners.
Targeted Sports Program - is an incubator for students with an interest or talent in the physical domains and elite sportspeople.
STEM and Agriculture Program - More information about this program that supports the growth of students with high potential and interest in science, engineering, mathematics, technology and agriculture, will be announced soon.
Our students have the following opportunities to get involved and develop their talents and potential in a range of activities, including:
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Starstruck - is an iconic performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from NSW public schools from across the Hunter region.
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The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) - aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.
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The Science and Engineering Challenge - The National Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) is a nationwide STEM outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. Students work with teams to apply STEM knowledge to solve real world problems.
What is the Morisset High School Big Picture Academy?
The Morisset High School Big Picture Academy offers a unique learning opportunity for students from all backgrounds, and of all interests and aspirations.
Our students are curious learners who thrive upon the opportunity to determine their topics of learning, learn from industry mentors, and at their own pace. Students are expected to be the driver of their learning with the support of their Advisory teacher, mentors and their family.
MHS Big Picture Academy students have pursued diverse interests including robot memory, drone delivery services, midwifery, marine ecology, broadcasting, neuro-surgery, and biodiversity.
Morisset High School is the only school in Western Lake Macquarie to offer the innovative Big Picture learning design.
Through the Big Picture design students develop skills to become confident, independent, self-directed learners.
In the Big Picture Academy, learning occurs in Advisories facilitated by Advisors who have participated in an immersive training program provided by Big Picture Education Australia.
The Big Picture educational philosophy has a natural connection with the MHS school vision to provide pathways for engagement in learning to ensure successful proactive citizens within the community.
Click on the link for more information about the Morisset High School Big Picture Application Process.
What is the Picture learning Difference?
Big Picture is an innovative curriculum structure that develops student knowledge based on personalised, passion-based learning. This helps prepare our young adults for a successful future beyond the classroom. Every student is unique, with particular interests, needs and capabilities. These characteristics are embraced and developed through project-based learning at Morisset High School's Big Picture Academy.
A holistic learning approach
Big Picture is a holistic approach to learning where each staff member truly gets to know their students and develop positive relationships with them and the students’ families.
Learning Through Internships (LTI)
Big Picture Academy students in Years 9-12 participate in internships which provide the opportunity for real-world experiences where students are mentored by professionals in their area of interest.
Through the process of Learning Through Internship (LTI) students develop the skills to transition from school into the workforce or further education such as university or TAFE.
Big Picture Exhibitions - A new way to assess student learning
Success is celebrated at the end of each term with each student individually presenting their work at an exhibition.
Big Picture students are supported by their Advisor to develop the research, critical thinking and presentation skills they need to showcase their learning to their peers, mentors and families.
International Big Picture Learning Credential
The International Big Picture Learning Credential is an education passport awarded to all senior students on pathways to employment, training and university.
Technology and Big Picture
Another key aspect of the Big Picture learning design is access to technology. Students in the Big Picture Academy are required to bring their own devices to ensure students have access to a wide variety of information for their projects. Advisors assist in the development of digital literacy skills to ensure that students are prepared for their future as 21st-century citizens.
If you would like more information about Morisset High School’s Big Picture Program please contact Mr Tim Post on (02) 4973 1999 or email timothy.post@det.nsw.edu.au
Excellerate - unlocking learning potential
Morisset High School’s Excellerate program empowers curious and highly engaged students to unlock their full learning potential and develops their personal strengths by offering accelerated learning and educational opportunities, which challenge these driven students to extend themselves across intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical domains.
Year 6 students in our Western Shores Learning Alliance (WSLA) group of Public Schools and from the Morisset area, are invited to express interest in being part of the Excellerate program.
Applications will be considered by a panel of staff from MHS and in collaboration with Primary Schools.
Please note, nomination for the Excellerateprogram does not mean acceptance into the class.
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.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover the opportunities our students have at our school.
Learning
Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress