Inspire – High potential and gifted education

YEAR 7
Entry via selection process commencing in Year 6.

The HPGE program for Year 7 2027 is only open to students who meet the enrolment criteria and have a confirmed enrolment.

Information for testing will only be sent to families who have a confirmed Year 7 2027 Enrolment.  Testing will take place mid T3.

YEAR 8
From 2027 there will be two HPGE classes for Year 8 students. Year 7 students will have the opportunity to apply for these classes in term 3, with more information to come for students.

The Year 8 Humanities HPGE Class is designed for students who demonstrate high potential in English, History, Geography and related humanities disciplines. The program provides opportunities for students to engage in advanced learning, critical thinking, inquiry, creativity and communication. Students will explore complex ideas, analyse perspectives, investigate real-world issues and develop sophisticated written and verbal communication skills.

The Year 8 STEM HPGE Class provides students with opportunities to engage in advanced learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The program is designed to extend students through inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, innovation and collaboration, consistent with the NSW Department of Education's High Potential and Gifted Education Policy. The policy recognises that high potential students benefit from differentiated learning opportunities, extension and enrichment programs that develop talent and achievement.

Students may be selected for either or both HPGE streams.

Selection will be based on a combination of:

• Year 7 academic achievement and learning data
• A completed student application form
• Teacher recommendations and evidence of high potential

How to Apply

Applications will open in Term 3, 2026 for 2027 for current students.

Students interested in being considered for an HPGE class should:

1. Complete all sections of the application form.
2. Provide thoughtful responses that demonstrate their interests, strengths and commitment to learning.
3. Submit the completed application by the due date.
4. Ensure any supporting evidence of achievement or participation in enrichment activities is included if requested.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a willingness to embrace challenges, think critically and creatively, and actively contribute to a positive and engaging learning environment.

Year 10 HSC Acceleration Program Application Information

In addition, selected students in the current Year 9 cohort will have the opportunity to participate in the school's HSC Acceleration Program.

The program allows students to complete one HSC course over Years 10 and 11, rather than the traditional Years 11 and 12 pathway. This provides students with the opportunity to engage in challenging and enriching learning experiences while developing advanced study skills.

Two accelerated courses will be offered:

• One Humanities-based course - Legal Studies
• One Science-based course - Biology

Students may apply for the acceleration program; however, students may only undertake one accelerated HSC course.

How to Apply

Applications will open in Term 3, 2026 for 2027 for current students

Students interested in the HSC Acceleration Program should:

1. Complete the application form in full.
2. Demonstrate a strong academic record, particularly in subjects related to the chosen course.
3. Submit their application by the due date, including a teacher recommendation
4. Complete an entry test/interview

Selection will be based on a range of evidence, including:

• Academic achievement and learning growth
• Teacher recommendations
• Student application responses
• Student test/interview results
• Demonstrated capacity to manage a rigorous and independent learning program
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of effort, organisation and attendance

Successful applicants will demonstrate academic excellence, resilience, strong work habits and a genuine enthusiasm for learning at an advanced level.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

In-class, all subjects, opt-in extension challenges

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Monday afternoon, fun, mentoring and skill development

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Term 2, Friday afternoon, Chess rating usually expected to participate.

[ALL YEAR GROUPS]

Wednesday and Thursday afternoon,

[ALL YEAR GROUPS]

Extra-curricular, rehearsals and workshops after school. Regular performance opportunities.

YEARS 9-12

Duke of Edinburgh is a worldwide activities program where participants, aged 14 or more select and set objectives in each of the following areas: volunteering, physical activities, practical and social skills and expeditions. Our program is the largest comprehensive public school DEAS program in NSW. More than 100 Year 9 students enrol each year.

YEARS 7 & 8

For the bookworms. We encourage students who love to read by creating a structure and culture of reading for pleasure.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

The NSW Department of Education's (DoE) Game Changer Challenge is an award-winning design thinking competition for public school students (Years 3-12) to solve real-world "wicked problems," like ensuring sustainable futures (Planet, People, Places in 2025) using creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, empowering them to develop innovative solutions with industry support and showcase their ideas through portfolios and pitches.

This may not be offered each year.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Linked in with Kuringai Rotary, students engage in local and international community service projects. Currently working to support Killara Rural Fire Service. Weekly meetings, held Monday Recess.

YEARS 7-10

Killara Academy is a weekly program of guest speakers and hands-on experiences that introduces students to inspiring people and careers. We explicitly teach the importance of growth-mindset, strengthen our culture of academic excellence, and develop practical life skills. Terms 2-3, Tuesday mornings, with some excursions. Certificate of Completion awarded to students who complete the program. Applications open Term 1.

YEAR 8 ONWARDS

Organised by our highly committed PDHPE faculty, opportunities arise throughout the year and are communicated to students for trials and nominations.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Hugely popular and run by our committed, energetic and passionate mathematics faculty. Students engage in a range of Mathematics enrichment competitions, including ongoing problem solving and more traditional “test” competitions.

YEARS 9 & 10

Stage 5 students who demonstrate High Potential in and performance in mathematics will be invited to join our Paths Plus classes. These extension and enrichment classes more quickly, broadly and deeply to extend students mathematical skills. This highly successful program works within our curriculum structures and feeds into Stage 6 Extension courses.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Every 2 years, 100 students and a team of teachers combine to create a spectacular musical production. Auditions are held in Term 3 of the ‘off-year’ with rehearsals commencing in Term 4.

YEAR 10

Peer Support Leaders are Year 10 students who apply in Year 9, and take part in a program to guide Year 7 students in their first year of high school.

YEAR 12

A new program from our Growth and Attainment Team, Year 12 students volunteer to work with junior students in selected classes to provide additional support.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Our PAE program gives students the coaching and expertise needed to build successful performance skills in a range of ensembles across musical genres. The program currently consists of Concert Bands, Stage Bands, String Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Dance, Rock Bands and orchestra.

YEAR 8 - 12

Leadership election processes commence Term 2. 4 Leadership Councils and Prefects. Our student leadership program develops teamwork, communication, goal-setting to project delivery to build school spirit and promote social responsibility. Councils are open to junior and senior students (years 8-12). Each council includes the captains and vice captains, and representatives from each year group, voted by their peers.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Open to support students seeking extra time to continue academic growth. Monday afternoons in the Library.

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Thursday afternoon, fun, mentoring and skill development

ALL YEAR GROUPS

Zonta is a women’s leadership and empowerment program. Open to all students. Meets Thursday Recess.

Killara High School is a supportive and focused learning environment where high-potential and gifted students are supported to convert potential into performance through a wide range of opportunities and programs.

• All teachers use explicit teaching methodologies to ensure students understand what they are learning, how they are learning it, and why it matters in every lesson.
• Teachers foster critical thinking and problem-solving through sophisticated questioning and opportunities for abstraction, inquiry, and depth.
• We provide supportive learning environments that promote exploration and self-assessment, encouraging academic risk-taking and persistence.

Lessons and tasks are differentiated through increased complexity and higher-order thinking, supported by ongoing formative assessment to monitor student growth and inform responsive teaching.

Our school provides a broad range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that support students to develop skills, capabilities, and dispositions beyond the classroom.

• All students, including those identified as high potential and gifted, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through the Student Representative Council (SRC), mentoring and peer coaching programs, and the leadership of significant school events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and NAIDOC assemblies.
• Our Duke of Edinburgh Award program extends students' learning outside of school. It aims to engage young people in the broader world where they learn new skills, promoting physical health and volunteering in the community while achieving their Bronze, Silver or Gold level awards.
• Talented athletes are supported to participate and excel at high levels through knockout teams and representative pathways, with opportunities that promote high-level physical performance, leadership development, and collaborative learning.
• Talent in the Creative Arts is recognised, celebrated and extended through our extensive Performing Arts Ensembles program and Light and Sound team. Our highly talented students engage in events through the Art Unit such, including School Spectacular, ArtExpress, Combined Schools Musical, AYTP, OnStage and Festival of Choral Music amongst many other opportunities.
• We offer multiple peer leadership and mentoring programs, including volunteering, peer support, lunch clubs and peer mentoring.

• Our students continue to participate in a wide range of competitive opportunities, including gala days, Combined High Schools knock out competitions and selection through to zone, regional and state carnivals.
• Killara High School also engages students in numerous academic and co-curricular competitions, including Mathematics competitions, Chess tournaments, the Game Changer Challenge, Debating, and Public Speaking competitions, among many others.