Gifted and Talented Education at Good Shepherd
All students regardless of race, age or gender, by virtue of their dignity as human persons, have a right to an education that suited to their particular needs and adapted to this ability.
GRAVISSIMUM EDUCATIONIS NL, 1065.
(Declaration on Christian Education), POPE PAUL VI
Good Shepherd School celebrates diversity and, as a Christian community, is committed to fostering the dignity, self-esteem and integrity of each child. Good Shepherd School provides an education that is challenging, engaging and intentional.
DEFINITION:
The Good Shepherd School community has agreed on the following definition of gifted and talented students:
Gifted and talented students at Good Shepherd School are those who demonstrate exceptional performance and flair in relation to their peers of the same age, or who have potential outstanding ability in one or more of the following areas:
- General or specific academic aptitude
- Creative ability
- Leadership ability/social skills
- Visual or performing arts, including cultural arts
- Physical ability
- Technological ability
As a multicultural Catholic school, we acknowledge the special abilities that our children may have within the cultural and spiritual domains.
IDENTIFICATION
In line with our definition of gifted and talented, Good Shepherd School uses multiple criteria to identify very able students. The identification process includes our school checklist, formal and informal assessments, student work and teacher knowledge and anecdotal evidence of students' abilities. We also value input from parents and whānau.
PROGRAMMES FOR GIFTED AND TALENDED STUDENTS
Good Shepherd School caters for the needs of gifted and talented students in a variety of ways and continues to develop programmes to meed the needs of these learners.
Classroom-based programmes
Most provision for gifted and talented students occurs within classroom programmes through personalized and differentiated learning. This means that all aspect of learning - content, process and product - are differentiated to meed the needs of each learner or group of learners. Classroom teachers use the following strategies:
- Assessment for learning principles which encourage children to take control of their
learning
- Problem solving, thinking and questioning skills and inquiry learning
- Choice and multiple opportunities for learning
- Flexible grouping, including both ability and mixed-ability
- A combination of both enrichment and acceleration
- A culturally-responsive environment
Extra-curricular programmes
Good Shepherd School also offers a wide range of activities that cater for the strengths and interests of our students:
- Science Club - Environmental Sustainability and Travelwise
- Chess Club - A variety of interschool sports
- Kids' Lit Quiz - Art Extension
- Gardening Club - Performing Arts
- Choir - Ukulele Group
- Code Club
Specialist Modules - Pūmanawa
The word Pūmanawa means 'natural talent' or 'intuitive cleverness' and this programme offers the children the opportunity to pursue an area of strength or interest over a term. In the past the following programmes have been offered:
French Portuguese Mandarin
Baking Electronics Practical Science
Play writing Visual art Cultural games
Physical Education & Health Craft Taekwondo
Gardening
Out of School Programmes
There are a number of out of school opportunties for gifted and talented learners (see websites below)
https://kidspot.co.nz/school-age/gifted-talented-children/