High Potential & Gifted Education Enrichment Program

Mortlake Public School is proud to offer students in Years 3–6 the opportunity to participate in external High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs supported by the NSW Department of Education.

Battle of the Minds

An exciting celebration of curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking, Battle of the Minds is a full-day academic challenge for high-achieving Year 5 and 6 students. Hosted by Homebush Boys High School, this annual event brings together students from local primary schools to compete in teams across a series of intellectually demanding challenges.

Covering Mathematics, Science, HSIE and General Trivia, the competition features hands-on, fast-paced activities designed to stretch students' minds while building essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving. With a strong focus on STEM and inquiry-based learning, students work collaboratively to tackle real-world problems, think creatively under pressure, and test their knowledge in a fun and supportive environment.

Whether solving logic puzzles, designing experiments or racing against the clock in trivia rounds, Battle of the Minds offers a memorable enrichment experience for our most engaged learners.

Maths Olympiad

The Maths Explorer and Maths Games, known as Maths Olympiad, are run by the team at The Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO), allowing for valuable opportunities for our students to engage in problem solving and mathematical reasoning, helping to nurture high potential in numeracy and critical thinking.

These programs support the development of skills aligned to the NSW High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, focusing on providing enriched and extended learning experiences for students demonstrating high potential in mathematics.

Maths Explorer (Years 3–4)

A non-competitive, collaborative program that encourages all students to build confidence and develop strategies in solving mathematical problems.

Maths Games (Years 5–6)

An engaging problem-solving program aligned to the Australian Curriculum, providing opportunities for students to extend their thinking and prepare for future challenges such as the Maths Olympiad.

Participation in these programs offers an excellent pathway for students to build foundational and advanced problem-solving skills in a supportive, teacher-led environment during the school day.

The Quest

The Quest provides opportunities for creativity, problem solving and team work, offering the level of challenges that foster outstanding achievement.

A chance to demonstrate school pride in a competitive environment, The Quest ignites passions, strengthens focus and challenges boundaries of learning, giving gifted students the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of their own ability.

Mortlake Public School's Year 2-4 team came second in the state in 2024.

DanceSport

The DanceSport Gala is open to all Year 5 students from public schools in the Metropolitan South Operational Directorate and surrounding areas. It's a culmination of a ballroom dance program that promotes respectful relationships.

The brainchild of Sandra Nori, former parliamentarian and Minister for Sport and Recreation, and in partnership with Dr Phil Lambert and the Department of Education, the first event in 2006 began with just six schools.

The DanceSport program was developed to engage Year 5 public school children in healthy physical activity and promote respect and cooperation between boys and girls. By 2016, the program had grown into an exciting event of over 1400 Year 5 primary-age students dancing the Jive, Salsa, Cha Cha and Tango. Under dazzling lights and the tough scrutiny of judges, the school representatives go head-to-head in an incredible display of colour, movement, and energy, and sheer joy!

The DanceSport Gala logo is a mandala, a symbol of unity and transformation. This mandala is reflected in the NSW Public Schools waratah, which embodies our school's spirit regarding the DanceSport program.

Public Speaking

At Mortlake Public School, we are committed to nurturing confident, capable communicators. In line with the NSW Department of Education’s public speaking guidelines and our commitment to High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) our students are developing skills in speech preparation, delivery, and audience engagement, with a focus on vocal projection, clear communication, and adapting to different speaking contexts during class lessons.

In addition to our school competitions, students in Years 3–6 are invited to participate in the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit’s Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition. Speeches are adjudicated by staff, and one winner from each stage is selected to represent Mortlake Public School at the District Multicultural Public Speaking Competition.

Stage 3 Debating

Holroyd, Granville and Strathfield School Education Areas Debating Program

Mortlake Public School participates in the Holroyd, Granville and Strathfield School Education Areas Debating Program, which allows primary school students to develop essential communication and thinking skills in a supportive, engaging environment.

Students build confidence in public speaking through debating, learn to structure persuasive arguments, and develop critical thinking and active listening skills. The program encourages students to consider different perspectives, respond respectfully to opposing viewpoints, and become more aware of current issues affecting their world.

More than just a competition, this program fosters teamwork, leadership, and the lifelong ability to express ideas clearly and thoughtfully. We look forward to seeing students thrive through this valuable learning experience.