Windsor High is on a remarkable journey towards bright futures, thanks to the government’s initial rounds of High Potential and Gifted upgrades. Glenn Cullen has the details.
In terms of learning styles, interests, and personalities, Year 12 students Mirage Dodt-Butler and Cassidy Grima couldn’t be more different, yet both are poised for bright futures.
Mirage, a softly spoken school captain, embodies the essence of a quiet achiever. Her leadership shines through her dedication to the Schools Spectacular Aboriginal Dance Troupe, and she possesses high potential in performing arts and social-emotional areas. With aspirations of a career in hospitality, Mirage is set to make her mark.
On the other hand, Cassidy, also a school captain, exudes self-assurance and has demonstrated high potential across academic, sporting, performing arts, and social-emotional domains. As she explores her university options post-HSC, Cassidy’s bright future is equally promising.
While in many ways they’re at different points in their learning, they have both benefited from the school’s $6 million High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) upgrade.
Windsor High School was among the first tranche of schools to share in the NSW Government’s two-year $100 million in HGPE upgrades across 33 schools and is already reaping the rewards.
Part of a targeted state-wide program to give students HPGE opportunities regardless of the school they go to, Windsor has already completed renovations including new science labs and visual arts rooms.
More upgrades are in train including refurbished woodwork and metalwork rooms, an expanded food technology area and a resurfaced basketball court.
“It’s something that is already enhancing the educational experience for all our high-potential students across various domains,” Principal Jennifer Hawken said.
“These upgrades are designed to foster intellectual growth, while also supporting the social and emotional development of our students, as they engage in collaborative and expressive activities.”
Put simply, the infrastructure upgrades benefit not only those that show academic potential, but students who may be gifted in the arts, sports, or show advanced social and emotional awareness.
Mirage and Cassidy cross into multiple domains and the school now has both the extra infrastructure and learning capabilities to better meet their needs.
The latter came in the form of the professional development training received by every NSW public school teacher at the start of Term 2 to help them identify high potential students across the four domain areas.
Already a school on the move – in the 10 years Ms Hawken has been principal Windsor High School has grown from 420 to 650 students – now she sees an even brighter future ahead.
“I’m very honoured that Windsor High has been selected to be a part of this program because students deserve to have every possible opportunity we can give them; and now with the upgrades the students are just so proud,” Ms Hawken said.
