Government backs gifted and talented children
Government backs gifted and talented
children
Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today that 17 programmes in schools, national and regional organisations will be funded to ensure New Zealand’s gifted and talented students have the opportunity to reach their full potential as New Zealand’s future leaders.
“Our Government is intent on building the knowledge economy, and laying the foundations for this country’s economic transformation. Helping our talented and gifted children achieve their potential as this country’s future leaders is a critical element of this,” Trevor Mallard said.
“Many of these children are at the crossroads of their development and learning. The programmes I’m announcing today will help them on the right path forward. The learning of all our children needs to be well supported if New Zealand wants to flourish economically, culturally and socially.”
The Government has made $1.2 million dollars available for education programmes targeted at gifted and talented students. National when it was in power did not specifically fund this area of education.
Trevor Mallard announced the details of the programmes at Hamilton Boys High School today. The school is to set up a “virtual online classroom” which will be available to rural students who currently are not catered for. The rural students will have the opportunity to learn with Hamilton Boys High School gifted and talented students who are already in special programmes.
“It’s important to remember that gifted and talented learners have needs that are significantly different from those of other children.
“They require different learning opportunities and may need special emotional and social support to realise their potential.
“The programmes being made available for gifted and talented students are diverse but they all provide opportunities for these learners to interact with others with similar abilities,” Trevor Mallard said.
Attached: List of organisations providing programmes for gifted and talented students, which will be funded by the Government.
Organisation Contact E-mail Phone
Whangarei
Future
Problem Solving NZ -Programme for meeting the needs of
highly creative gifted students. It includes an online
component and support for Community Problem Solving in a
cluster of six Northland schools. Robyn
Boswell fps@ihug.co.nz 09 438 9377
Auckland
George
Parkyn National Centre for Gifted Education - Development of
a website for rural gifted students from years 2-8 and
scholarships for a limited number of gifted students to
attend the George Parkyn National Centre for Gifted
Education one-day schools. Rosemary
Cathcart giftedednz@xtra.co.nz 09 376 3235
Gifted Kids
Programme - Professional development for teachers who have
students going to the Gifted Kids Programme one-day schools
so that the students’ needs can be met in the regular
classroom. Christine Fernyhough admin@giftedkids.co.nz 0274
422225
Gladstone Primary School - Extension of an
existing programme to investigate how to best meet the needs
of gifted underachievers and gifted students with learning
disabilities/ difficulties in years 1-6. This programme
involves specialist modules and mentoring. Emma
Best emma@gladstone.school.nz 09 846
9744
Waikato
Programme to meet the needs of gifted
Mäori students in kura kaupapa Mäori. No contact details at
present
Hamilton Boys’ High School Virtual Classroom -
Development of a virtual classroom and holiday camp for
gifted year 8-9 boys in rural Waikato schools. Susan
Hassall headmaster@hbhs.school.nz 07 855 2099
Turanga and
Gisborne
Tairawhiti REAP – Programme for meeting the
needs of gifted students in the Turanga/Gisborne area. This
involves a cluster of 10 primary schools. Judi
Rendall judi.eastreap@xtra.co.nz 06 867
4187
Wanganui
Wanganui West Schools Cluster -
Development of an electronic academy and immersion days to
meet the needs of gifted students in rural Wanganui
schools. Mervyn Bloor principal@brunswick.school.nz 06 342
1841
Palmerston North
Massey University College of
Sciences - Development of a mentoring programme in science
for year 11-13 gifted girls with potential talent in the
sciences. John Holland j.d.holland@massey.ac.nz 06 350
5565
Christchurch
Aranui High School -Programme for
meeting the needs of gifted Mäori students in secondary
school. This involves student and parent hui, counselling,
mentorships, courses, visits to local tertiary providers,
guest speakers and role models based on needs. Graeme
Pollock principal@aranui-high.school.nz 03 388
7083
Halswell School - Development of a programme for
year 6-8 gifted students with potential talent in science,
includes links with a local high school and
university. David Clayton halswell.admin@xtra.co.nz 03 322
7038
Ilam School - Extension of an existing programme to
investigate how to best meet the needs of highly gifted
students in years 1-6. This programme involves inquiry based
learning and links with the local university. Lyn
Atkinson lyn.atkinson@ilam.school.nz 03 3487 492
NZ
Chemistry Olympiad -Extension of an existing programme to
include differentiated extension material for gifted year
12-13 students with potential talent in Chemistry. This
programme involves an international competition and training
camps. Dr Robert
Maclagan r.maclagan@chem.canterbury.ac.nz 03 364 2456
NZ
Mathematical Enrichment Trust -Extension of an existing
programme to investigate how to best meet the needs of
gifted students with potential talent in mathematics. This
programme involves an international competition,
correspondence extension material, university links and
training camps. Alan Parris pa@linwoodcollege.school.nz Alan
Parris - 03 3892039 ext 809
Sirius Programme - Extension
of an existing programme involving cluster days for students
from 20 North Canterbury schools to include online materials
for teachers, students and parents. Rod
Thompson southbrook.school@xtra.co.nz 03 313
8792
Timaru
Timaru Boys’ High School -Programme to
meet the needs of gifted boys at secondary school, who are
exceptionally gifted, highly creative, underachieving, or
have learning difficulties. This programme includes
mentoring, student workshops, counselling and Future Problem
Solving. Nick Simpson tbhs@timaruboys.school.nz 03 688
8588
Dunedin
Music Heartland Programme -Programme
for developing musical talent in gifted students from age
9-13 in Otago schools. Errol Moore ejm@dce.ac.nz 03 479
3809