A package of support for gifted education starts this term. The package includes funding for one-day schools, awards for gifted learners, out of school experiences and events and additional support for teachers and kaiako.
This new funding means more gifted students will be able to access one-day schools.
One-day schools bring gifted children together for one day each week, so they can engage in different types of challenging and strength-based learning with like-minded peers. There are currently 450 children enrolled in 34 classes across different parts of New Zealand.
The $1.27 million package was announced by Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin on 27 February.
The draft Learning Support Action Plan highlights the need to provide more and better learning supports for gifted learners. This new package will form part of the final Action Plan. It is estimated that up to 40,000 learners in New Zealand are gifted.
Check out the Gifted website for more information.
The Gifted Education Package recognises gifted learners and notions of giftedness are diverse, both within and across cultures. It builds on the strengths and aspirations of gifted learners, enables them to get better support in and out of the classroom, and to have fun.
The gifted education package of support also includes:
- Awards for gifted students for school-aged learners (or groups of learners) who are gifted or have exceptional abilities to extend and challenge their learning and support their wellbeing. It enables them to complete a particular project or activity in areas that may be quite different from their usual learning. Applications for the first round opened this week and close on 22 March; there will be two rounds each year. More information can be found at the Gifted website.
- A programme of events, experiences and opportunities. Details of the new programme will be announced in late March or early April. Check the Gifted website for information.
- Additional guidance for teachers and kaiako to help them recognise and support gifted learners. This will be released late February. Check the Gifted website for more information.
- Expansion of online modules improved access to online modules which enable gifted learners to learn alongside like-minded peers. Contact admin@nzcge.co.nz to apply.
The Gifted website also provides a range of resources to support educators and parents to identify children and young people with exceptional abilities, and respond to their needs.