Gifted and Talented, At Risk Opportunities

Gifted and Talented students (Action List – September 2021)
There is much debate what constitutes a ‘Gifted and Talented’ student. There are numerous definitions but internationally no-one wants to categorically state what it is. This is perhaps the best outcome as schools can identify these students in their own environments and provided a local response.

Senior Students (year 11-13)
The vast majority of our students’ academic needs are catered for by the breadth of experience provided by NCEA. An ‘Excellent’ script for any assessment is a challenge for many and provides for differentiation based on ability.

What else do we offer?
Distance Learning - To either to extend either sideways (new subject choices) or upwards (higher level study) for some students. This has been successful for                                    most that have been involved.

STAR Programme - This is run through UC. The programme provides University 100 courses to Year 12 or 13 students. A student can usually only enter a maximum of 30 points in any year. As they are university papers, students applying need to be committed to the programme. Three students have studied and achieved stage one papers this year in Health, Te Reo and Politics. All achieved high grades and one student, the top in the course. This is an extension, but also points towards their chosen degree.

                                    https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/get-started/transition/star-programme/

School STAR Courses - These are offered to senior students to allow them to ‘taste’ a variety of workplaces. This is not solely used as an extension tool but so some it is the opportunity to try a potential professional workplace (lawyers, doctors).

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum, Auckland - This is held nationally for school nominated students. We have sent students to this each year. For 2020 we sent 5, this was our largest group to date. The focus group is Year 12 students heading into Year 13 with a strong interest in Science.

                                    https://www.rotary9930.org/Stories/rotary-national-science-forum-2020-2021

Young Physicist Annual Tournament - This is offered each year for gifted Physics students. In 2020 our 3-person team placed 2nd to Burnside in the Christchurch tournament. This group is led by Mr Dorey.

OUASSA, Otago Science Academy – Also held annually for year 13 students with a passion for science with the aptitude to excel. We have students heading to this each year. These students participate in science research, communicate with fellow scientists and engage in meaningful extension work alongside other budding scientists.

                                                                https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa/index.html

NCEA Scholarship exams – each year we have students entered in these exams. The reward in financial rather than qualification and depends on the particular course offered in a year. We have several students attempting the scholarship exams this year. There is a full range of subjects for those students wishing to challenge themselves further at the end of the year.

                          https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/new-zealand-scholarship/scholarship-subjects/

Young Enterprise Scheme - This is offered to senior students. Senior secondary school students form a company, become directors and develop products and services, which they market and sell. They implement a business plan, complete an annual report and make real profit or loss. This is school based and teaches skills in budgeting, planning, interpersonal relations, decision making, reporting, communications, risk management and teamwork.
 
                                    https://www.scchamber.org.nz/business-connect/lion-foundation-young-enterprise-scheme/
 
Model United Nations (MUN) - This has been West Coast and national events where students are to debate global affairs, experience life as a diplomat and have a platform to engage with other likeminded individuals at a national level.
 
                                    https://unyouth.org.nz/event/nz-model-united-nations/
 
There are other opportunities that are offered each year. When we hear of these opportunities, they are offered to those students who would benefit from the added exposure.

Leadership –           There are many Leadership extension opportunities that are offered to senior students. These opportunities enable them to develop a leadership style, communication skills and to build a set of new skills in working with and leading others. These include:

• Prefects                                                        
• Student Council (Deputy Head Students lead this body)
• Breakfast Club                                             
• Peer Support
• Big Brother - Big Sister
• Student Representative on the Board of Trustees

In addition, some senior students find other leadership avenues. These include Buller REAP and Youth Council.

Sports and Performing Arts – We offer a large number of sports to provide opportunities for students to extend themselves. In the performing arts area, extension is offered through productions (postponed because of COVID) and Trinity School of London music tuition and exams.
 
At Risk students
ORS students -       These students have an individual learning programme (ILP) not related to NCEA but developed with parents. These are reviewed on a regular basis.

SLD Students -       Those with identified SLD (Specific Learning Disorder) needs have an initial meeting with the RTLB service, SENCO and parents to discuss whether an ILP is necessary to meet their specific needs. In some cases, the schools normal programme caters for the needs of these students. If not, an RTLB referral is made and an ILP is created. This plan has short- and long-term goals developed with and for the student. They are reviewed with parents twice annually.
For some of these students an application for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) is sought from NZQA. If approved, it provides an extra layer of support for students for NCEA (they have to be able to access NCEA to be approved). This could include Readers, Writers, Technology, additional time.
In 2020 there are 11 senior students with SAC support. There are also 6 other senior students with diagnosed SLD’s that do not have SAC support. Three do not need any additional support and three do not meet the threshold of being able to access NCEA.

Alt. Ed. -                    This is used sparingly, mainly as ‘respite care’ for senior students. This is one of the individualized solutions for students. Generally a senior student at AE will also be engaged in some school classes. This is to ensure that they don’t get isolated, but also the data is clear that students succeed much more readily in mainstream rather than AE. We currently have 1 senior student attending AE.

Literacy/Numeracy Class - This was a new initiative in 2020. The aim was for these to be multilevel classes that support those struggling to gain Numeracy and Literacy credits. It is too early to gauge the success of these classes but they do have students from all senior levels in them. Interestingly enough, one of the groups they were set up for (SLD students) had no students opting for these classes. However, all SLD students with SAC support have achieved the Literacy and numeracy requirements. I believe it has had some success with several Y12-13 students achieving these qualifications in 2020.

Others at Risk - There are other students for whatever reason are at risk at times. This includes attendance, family circumstance, ability, behaviour. Each of these has a different response. We are a small school that can tailor a solution to a student. This is done regularly to reengage a student in the learning. Senior students can do courses across all levels and this works for at risk students as well. We always have some students either repeating courses or taking courses at the appropriate level rather than the chronological level
 

Junior students (Y9-10)
Differentiated practice - The aim of small classes in the junior school is to allow for differentiated practice for students to provide both extension and remedial work. In the junior school, all classes are mixed, i.e. there is no streaming. Why? There is much research which states that for many students, this creates a deficit model, where expectations are lowered by both teachers and students. For Year 9 students they are placed into 4 homogeneous classes. The placements are decided by the results of CAM tests, data provided by the primary schools and interviews held with the year 8 teachers.

                                    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11818710
                                    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/9530553/The-inequalities-of-streaming

Identified students are offered extension work through project work, and through open ended classroom tasks. This happens as the  need is identified.

NCEA extension - There is the possibility for a junior student to be entered for a NCEA standard or course. This is not done often as the key is to broaden experience.

Year 10 Science Practical - an example of an extension activity for the majority of year 10 students. Those looking to extend themselves can lead groups and aim for Excellence grades. These opportunities are offered in Mathematics and Visual Arts.
 
The Science Fair -  Held annually for Year 9 – 10 students for our school, Buller Schools and finals for schools across the coast. This is an inclusive event that caters for the raft of science ability students, both remedial and extension. It also assists in developing teamwork, leadership and innovation. This event has developed over a number of years under the leadership of the HOD Mr Steve Dorey.

Junior writing Symposium - This has been offered on numerous occasions for junior students to extend their writing and develop new writing tools
 
Junior Leadership Group - is an extension group. It is an opportunity for these students to extend themselves in a leadership capacity and develop their strengths in the values of the NZ curriculum (Innovation, Community and participation, integrity and respect). This group works under the leadership of the Assistant Principal. This group also leads the junior assemblies once the seniors have gone.

Kapa Haka - GAT juniors are extended in Kapa Haka, & take on leadership roles. Currently Mason Taumata is one such ākonga. His voice! His ihi, me te wana!

 
At Risk students
ORS students -       These students have an individual learning programme (ILP) These are reviewed on a regular basis with parents.

SLD Students -       Those with identified SLD (Specific Learning Disorder) needs have an initial meeting with the RTLB service, SENCO and parents to discuss whether an ILP is necessary to meet their specific needs. In some cases, the schools normal programme caters for the needs of these students. If not, an RTLB referral is made and an ILP is created. This plan has short- and long-term goals developed with and for the student. They are reviewed with parents twice annually.
For some of these students an application for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) is sought from NZQA. If approved, it provides an extra layer of support for students for whom NCEA will be an option in the senior school (they have to be able to access NCEA to be approved). This could include Readers, Writers, Technology, additional time. These SAC conditions will also apply in the junior school so that the students are familiar with them
In 2020 there are 5 junior students with SAC support. There is also 1 other junior student with diagnosed SLD’s that does not have SAC support.

ICS - These applications are made at the end of each year for those Year 9 and 10 students that would benefit from some TA assistance. For each successful application there is an allocation of 5 hours per student. Students have to be at level 1 of the curriculum to be eligible. The school needs to collect the evidence before applications are made.

RTLB - Some students come to the high school, with a RTLB referral already in place to support their transition. This lasts for 6 weeks. Beyond this, referral to RTLB can be made by any teacher for individuals, groups or classes.

Alt. Ed. - This is used sparingly, mainly as ‘respite care’. Generally, a junior student at AE will also be engaged in some school classes. This is to ensure that they don’t get isolated, but also the data is clear that students succeed much more readily in mainstream rather than AE. We currently have 2 (with another 2 in the pipeline) attending AE. The pedagogical leader is responsible for developing the programme for these students focusing on Literacy and Numeracy. The HOD’s work with the PL to build a resource bank.

 
All Levels
ICAS                           Competitions in Mathematics, English and Science

                                    https://www.unswglobal.unsw.edu.au/educational-assessments/products/icas-assessments/

Kiwi Competitions - Run through the Canterbury Centre of Assessment and Monitoring in Mathematics, English and Science

                                                            https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/cam/kiwi-competitions/
 
Education Perfect -This is a self-directed tool to support and extend learning for students of all levels. There is an additional competitions aspect of the package. Our students and staff compete on a regular basis and those exceling are acknowledged in assemblies.
The focus of these competitions is to extend students at all levels. The more able students tend to enjoy the competitive nature of these events and the opportunity to challenge themselves against other students outside our area. We have had some considerable success in these in the past. Certificates are awarded based on score.

Robotics -                This is an opportunity for both junior and senior students to learn and develop new skills. For There is an annual Robotics and Aquabots competition which a team from the school would normally compete. There is also the Evolocity which supports students and groups of students to design and build vehicles.

This program engages teams of students in designing and building an electric vehicle using an electric motor componentry kit which we supply. Team members develop skills in:
·       Mechanical & electrical engineering
·       Electronics & programming
·       Sensor and display programming
·       Video making and marketing
·       Teamwork
 
                                    https://evolocity.co.nz/