NSW schools get Inspire gifted education rollout as Lake Macquarie High upgrades take shape

newy.com.au – NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car has announced that every public school student can now access high potential and gifted education opportunities through the statewide rollout of the Inspire program, with upgrades at Lake Macquarie High School highlighted as part of the push.

The Minns Labor Government said Inspire brings each school’s high potential and gifted education (HPGE) offerings under one banner, shared on school websites. This is paired with an updated school-finder website intended to make it easier for families to see what opportunities and places are available locally and beyond their local intake area.

All public schools are now embedding HPGE in teaching practices and co-curricular activities, with programs tailored to each school including enrichment streams, extension opportunities, and STEM programs. The announcement was made at the SMH Schools Summit.

Car said the government was “determined to ensure our public schools are places of excellence, where all students can access opportunities to develop their talents and reach their full potential.” She noted that Inspire would help ensure high potential and gifted students are identified and that “their teachers are equipped to provide world-class opportunities for these students to be challenged and pursue their talents.”

The government stated the rollout was backed by targeted teacher professional development in gifted education delivered statewide in 2025, and pointed to a broader workforce strategy it said has helped drive vacancies down to a 12-year low.

As part of the program, the government is investing $100 million in infrastructure upgrades for students in 33 high schools selected as HPGE Partner Schools, with eight completing upgrades for the start of the 2026 school year. The HPGE extension classes are now running in eight comprehensive public high schools, with more schools set to join next year.

The eight high schools running new classes in 2026 are:

• Chifley College’s Dunheved Campus
• Kooringal High School
• Hunters Hill High School
• Lisarow High School
• Elderslie High School
• Georges River College’s Peakhurst Campus
• Port Hacking High School
• Riverstone High School

The Department of Education said work completed and continuing at Lake Macquarie High School includes a new “state-of-the-art marine studies laboratory” with a custom-designed wave tank to study wave motion and marine ecology.

The department added that the works also include a new shade structure and upgrades to Food Technology, Hospitality, woodwork, Technological and Applied Studies, and Visual Arts facilities, alongside a large-scale satellite map to help students track environmental projects in the local area.

A marine studies workshop will centralize storage of aquatic equipment, such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, drones, and submersibles for use by students at the high school and nearby primary schools. The department noted that the new facilities were also designed to support community involvement through an artist-in-residence partnership with ‘Yapang’ (the Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture) and marine studies projects with the nearby Empire Marina.

Principal Brendan Maher said: “With these new facilities, our students can fully engage through authentic, hands-on learning experiences,” adding that they would help “immerse students in the local environment, applying a cultural lens by incorporating the Awabakal seasonal calendar into their studies.”

The department confirmed that improvements to the school’s recording studio, front-of-school precinct, and disability access throughout key areas are due to be completed midway through 2026.