High potential and gifted education

In our classroom

At Sydney Secondary College Balmain, HPGE is part of our everyday practice. We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at our school.

Our classrooms provide a supportive, stimulating environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, perseverance, and risk-taking. We implement high-quality differentiated teaching and explicit instruction across all subjects, enabling students to engage with challenging tasks tailored to their strengths and interests.

Learning experiences promote choice, authenticity, and deep inquiry, supported by strengths-based feedback and clear goal-setting. Peer collaboration and self-assessment are integral to building confident, independent learners.

Sydney Secondary College Balmain has a selective stream with 60 selective students in each year group, where students engage with a differentiated curriculum within a tailored learning environment.

Within our comprehensive stream, we have EnrichmentOpportunity classes across the intellectual, creative, physical, and social HPGE domains. Our Academic Enrichment class of 30 students per year group caters to engaged learners who are future leaders. Our Stage 4 Creativity class of 20 students per year group applies project-based learning practices to explore what it means to be creative. Finally, the Talented Athletes Program provides a supportive and nurturing environment for elite athletes, offering specialised training, access to coaching and facilities, and personalised development plans to help them excel in their chosen sports.

We offer a Mathematics compaction program for students identified in early Stage 4 as having the aptitude to compact their Stage 4 mathematics learning, to commence Stage 5 earlier, to fully master the skills of Stage 5, and to be ready to access higher levels of mathematics in Stage 6, including Extension 1 and Extension 2 Mathematics.

All students have access to a broad choice of electives and complete six 100-hour electives across Years 9 and 10. Through our Voice and Choice program, students have the opportunity to co-design their learning through topic selection, assessment type, and authentic learning opportunities. Our electives are designed to engage participants in inquiry-based projects that develop extraordinary creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and reflective thinking skills.

All students have the opportunity to apply for our HSC Acceleration Program, where successful students are accelerated in one HSC subject; that is, completing Year 11 studies whilst in Year 10 and the HSC for one subject whilst in Year 11.

Students at Balmain campus join with students from Leichhardt campus and continue on to Blackwattle Bay campus for Years 11 and 12, where an extensive curriculum is offered to meet the needs of all students. Blackwattle Bay currently offers more HSC subjects than any other school in the state.

Across our school

Our school recognises that every student's learning journey is unique. We provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths both in and outside the classroom.

At the start of every year, all students complete a Multiple Interests survey to identify their individual learning interests and activities that will assist in their engagement. This data is clearly linked to differentiation strategies sourced from the Department of Education's Differentiation Adjustment Tool and Harvard's Project Zero Thinking Routines, allowing teaching and learning to be directed to individual learning needs.

All our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through Student Representative Council leadership, peer support leadership, mentoring opportunities, and fundraising and social justice groups.

Students are encouraged to discover a passion for STEM by taking part in our Academic Enrichment stream or extracurricular STEM programs, including Girls STEM, Robotics Club, and STEM for All. In Years 9 and 10, this passion can be nurtured with extensive STEM elective options and partnerships with leading institutions that inspire innovation and curiosity.

The creative arts are celebrated through dance ensembles, exhibitions, drama productions, performance nights, and the biannual school musical production, which are supported by student-run technical teams. The Instrumental Music Program brings together students from all three campuses of Sydney Secondary College.

College Learning Plans, completed twice yearly with teacher support, provide structured opportunities for students to reflect on academic progress and set SMARTER learning goals.

Sports and physical activities promote well-rounded engagement and leadership development through inter-school competitions and house carnivals. We also take advantage of our physical setting and sporting partnerships by offering unique opportunities, including rowing and kayaking for sport.

Across NSW

Sydney Secondary College Balmain students have access to an extensive range of state-wide programs and competitions designed to extend potential.

Balmain students participate in debating and public speaking contests, the Premier’s Reading Challenge, and academic competitions, including ICAS writing, English, science, and mathematics competitions, the Australian Mathematics Competition, and the Australian History Competition.

All Stage 4 students take part in the Renaissance Reading program, which allows close monitoring of reading potential and encourages deeper engagement with a range of literature suited to their capabilities and interests.

Students can participate in a multitude of sporting competitions, including gala days, combined high schools knock-out competitions, and selection through to zone, regional, and state carnivals.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award engages young people in the broader world through participation in a globally recognised program that supports participants to develop new skills, confidence, resilience, and leadership.

Students with talents in areas not offered at Sydney Secondary College Balmain are supported to compete in statewide competitions and events.

Our students thrive through participation in programs that promote excellence, resilience, and connection to the broader educational community across New South Wales.

HPGE (High Potential & Gifted Education) at Balmain Campus

View our Powerpoint Presentation here

Selective Stream - Year 7 Students

At SSC Balmain, 60 places in Year 7 are made available to selective students every year. There are no intake areas for selective classes so parents can apply regardless of where they live. Enrolment is by application via the statewide Selective Schools test conducted early in the final year of primary school. For more information see the Department's selective high schools page .

Steps:

1. Visit Selective high school and opportunity class placement
2. Register to start your application
3. Verify your email address
4. Log in
5. Complete all sections of the application form
6. Submit the application form
7. Student sits the placement test
8. Family is advised of the outcome.

You can apply for up to three selective schools. You must submit a separate application form for each school and list the schools in the same order of preference.

Late applications

The application period cannot be extended. Make sure you submit your application before the closing date. For more information, check key dates .

Applications for enrolment in the selective stream for 2026 are now closed. Applications for 2027 will be open from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026.

Selective Stream - Year 8-10 Students

The application process for Years 8–10 selective enrolments – including vacancies, assessments, and placement decisions – is managed by SSC Leichhardt Campus. Enrolment is subject to available places and the meeting of academic criteria. There are no intake areas for selective classes.

Application forms and key dates are available on Department of Education’s Years 8-12 selective enrolment page. Students applying to Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt for year 8-10 selective placement should apply using the general application form at this link and include as much supporting evidence as possible, including school reports and NAPLAN reports.

A placement panel – including the Campus Principal or delegate, a teacher representative and a parent representative – considers all applications before an offer is made. Demonstrated evidence of high academic achievement must be evident.

All selective students must be Australian citizens, permanent Australian residents or the child of diplomatic staff.

Waiting lists will be established where there are no places available at the time of application or where requests for enrolment exceed available places. Waiting lists are current for one year. Parents will be advised if their child is being placed on a waiting list.

Applications for 2026 year 8-10 selective enrolment are now closed.

Enrichment Stream - All Years

Balmain Enrichment Classes offer a unique opportunity for students at Sydney Secondary College, Balmain Campus to explore their interests and enhance their learning beyond the standard curriculum.

These specialised classes are designed to challenge and inspire students, providing them with the chance to delve deeper into subjects they are passionate about, whether it’s the arts, sciences, languages, or technology. Led by experienced educators and industry professionals, these enrichment programs foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, equipping students with valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey and beyond.

By participating in Balmain Enrichment Classes, students not only expand their knowledge but also build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning. To find out more about our:

• Academic Enrichment Class
• Creativity Enrichment Class and
• Talented Athlete Program

Please contact the front office for an Enrichment Application Form.

Please note: Enrichment applications for 2025 are now closed. We are no longer accepting applications for 2025.

In previous years there have been two rounds of applications. Due to demand for the program, we are only able to offer one round for acceptance to the program for internal applicants.

Please submit all applications and portfolios for the Year 7 2026 program by 4th April 2025.

Please click on following presentation link to see a presentation of information of learning opportunities for High Potential and Gifted students at Balmain Campus.

Enrichment FAQs

Do we have to pick one of the three (academic, creative or TAP) programs or can you go for 2 or 3 options?

Students can apply for all three of the Enrichment classes:

• Academic Enrichment applies to placement into a class for English, Maths, Science, History and Geography classes
• Creativity Enrichment applies to placement into a class for Visual Arts, Music, Technology, Drama
• The Talented Athlete Program runs outside of school hours.

My child can't attend the test. Will there be another date available for testing?

This will be decided on a case by case basis. Please email the reason for missing the test prior to the testing date to the school's email: balmain-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

What is the relationship between Selective and Enrichment?

• Students may do some common assessment tasks
• Teachers will use similar teaching strategies including differentiation strategies form the Harvard Project Zero Differentiation Tool Box

Please note: if a student moves from selective to comprehensive, they will not be automatically placed in an enrichment class.

Why have you introduced a test (academic enrichment) and interview/trial/audition?

Making the application process more rigorous ensures that students aren't misplaced into classes providing more chance of them being successful in whichever class they are placed.

The test and interview provide us with additional sources of information to enable better comparisons between applicants.

Placement will consider the portfolio, interview and for the academic enrichment class, the testing.

What will be provided for the Creativity class?

• We promote and support connections to the DoE Arts Unit and the extra opportunities available through the Unit.
• Specialised programs with industry experts.

Is the Talented Athlete Program available to student in Selective Stream?

Yes – it is run outside of school hours.

Is the Creativity Enrichment Stream available to students in the Selective Stream?

No, it is only available to students in the Comprehensive Stream.

What happens once my child is in an enrichment class, but is not performing to the standard expected?

You will be informed in writing on two occasions prior to your child being moved from the enrichment class. In writing notification may be a letter home or on the student's Academic Report. If you receive notification, we would suggest that you make an appointment to discuss this with the head teacher, year adviser or deputy principal.

We will continue to update this page leading up to the due date for applications if further questions arise.

Enrichment Application Forms

Sydney Secondary College Balmain Enrichment Program - Application form Year 7 2027

Sydney Secondary College Balmain Enrichment Program - Application form Years 8, 9, 10 2027 (Open from early 2026)