Giftedness refers to a student’s potential to perform highly in one or more domains when compared to same-aged peers, while talent refers to actual performance of exceptional ability.
Why specialised gifted education?
When gifted students aren’t properly identified or provided with tailored educational programmes that address their academic and emotional needs, they face the risk of not only falling short of their full potential but also lagging behind their peers with lower abilities. A mounting body of evidence underscores the importance of offering gifted students differentiated programmes that offer suitable levels of challenge, enabling them to realise their potential and thrive in their academic pursuits.
Statistics show that half of all gifted and talented students currently underachieve in school with twice-exceptional students regarded as being especially at risk.
Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu | Feathers enable the bird to fly
The course builds upon the foundations laid in the Year 9 LEEP program but is not an entry requirement. The LEEP programme offers students the chance to explore their interests and leverage their strengths to enhance their academic performance. It fosters an understanding of individual thinking patterns and learning preferences, nurturing problem-solving, thinking critically, abstractly and creative abilities. In addition students experience collaborative learning within a supportive group environment while promoting the refinement of interpersonal skills.
The course is designed around the Autonomous Learner Model (Betts, 1985) to meet the cognitive, emotional and social needs of gifted and talented students. By developing student’s autonomy for lifelong learning, LEEP fosters growth of their awareness of the world around us through inquiry-based learning and reflection, debate and discussion. Students are encouraged to master concepts by evidencing their thinking and learning, completing individual and group research projects.
The course assists students to synthesise, evaluate, analyse and apply at a broad and in depth level. It’s crucial to note that at the NCEA level, across various subjects, the ability to think critically and abstractly is a fundamental skill necessary for achieving Merit and Excellence grades. Moreover, there are numerous avenues available at senior levels, such as Scholarship programs, UC courses, and participation in national and international academic competitions, which provide opportunities for extending and enriching students’ learning experiences. By practising critical thinking, you can develop your abstract thinking ability by learning to analyse information, identify patterns and connections, draw logical conclusions and help make good life decisions.
Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu / Feathers enable the bird to fly
The course builds upon the foundations laid in the Year 9 LEEP program but is not an entry requirement. The LEEP programme offers students the chance to explore their interests and leverage their strengths to enhance their academic performance. It fosters an understanding of individual thinking patterns and learning preferences, nurturing problem-solving, thinking critically, abstractly and creative abilities. In addition students experience collaborative learning within a supportive group environment while promoting the refinement of interpersonal skills.
The course is designed around the Autonomous Learner Model (Betts, 1985) to meet the cognitive, emotional and social needs of gifted and talented students. By developing student’s autonomy for lifelong learning, LEEP fosters growth of their awareness of the world around us through inquiry-based learning and reflection, debate and discussion. Students are encouraged to master concepts by evidencing their thinking and learning, completing individual and group research projects.
The course assists students to synthesise, evaluate, analyse and apply at a broad and in depth level. It’s crucial to note that at the NCEA level, across various subjects, the ability to think critically and abstractly is a fundamental skill necessary for achieving Merit and Excellence grades. Moreover, there are numerous avenues available at senior levels, such as Scholarship programs, UC courses, and participation in national and international academic competitions, which provide opportunities for extending and enriching students’ learning experiences. By practising critical thinking, you can develop your abstract thinking ability by learning to analyse information, identify patterns and connections, draw logical conclusions and help make good life decisions.
On completion of all three courses, students may be eligible for the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills Level One. The 60 credits gained in this course will also contribute towards NCEA Level 1.
Students will work on their numeracy and literacy skills across all three courses and may be eligible to sit the co-reqs in either Year 11 or Year 12. Students in this course are not required to take Science, Maths and English as they are an integral part of the course. Students who wish to further their Mathematical Skills may be eligible to do MAT102 – this will be decided in consultation with the HOF Maths.
This subject does not lead to a University Entrance approved subject.
This further develops students’ life and work skills. Skills standards will look at communication, the financial world, and how to find work. Through this, the students will gain the necessary skills to join the workforce or to go on to further study. Students who complete all 60 credits are eligible for the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills Level 2. If they have passed their co-reqs, they are also eligible for NCEA Level 2
Students will work on their numeracy and literacy skills across all three options and may be eligible to sit the co-reqs in Year 12 if they have not already passed them. Students will choose three further options to complete their timetable.
This course does not lead to a University Entrance-approved subject.
