The Gifted Kids Programme - "Enter My Mind"

Press Release From The Gifted Kids Programme
Date: 24 September 2009
Written by Ian Young (Supporter of the Gifted Kids Programme)

”Enter My Mind”

I remember once reading a bumper sticker that read, “Think! It might be a new experience”!

So what do kids who are not, “run of the mill”, think about?

This we were to find out at the sharing evenings with the students who attend the GKP (Gifted Kids Programme) at Petone Central, Newtown, and Rata Street schools. Thanks to the generosity of two schools, Petone Central and Naenae Primary, the GKP students were able to use the school halls to share their passions, emotions, thoughts, and abilities.

Their project choices included the Holocaust, Metamorphosis, Llamas, Fast Cars, The Maori Battalion, Humanitarianism, Impressionism, Global Warming, and the Roman Empire. Remember these kids are primary school children. These are kids with gifted abilities that need to be nurtured and encouraged to produce our future Ernest Rutherford, Witi Ihimaera, Bill Hamilton or Trelise Cooper.

Spurred on by teachers Deb Clark (Associate Principal), Jo Young, Sarah Kirby, Rachael Pottinger, and Vicki Adam, these 163 children, who attend the GKP one day per week, produced a mind-boggling display of projects to stretch our minds and imaginations.

No, these are not your “run of the mill”s children, and whilst there was a little bit of high tech in some projects including electronic game making, others stepped back in time – including a working model of a trebuchet. (Google it.)

The evening wound up with a short speech from Executive Principal Clive Sharpe including congratulations to Deb Clark on attaining her Masters Degree with First Class Honours (in Gifted Education) and on her presentation at a recent Gifted Education Conference in Vancouver. It was also an opportunity to welcome new Associate Principal Angela Bell who will be based in Auckland.

Yes, Gifted Education is alive and well in New Zealand, but it needs all the help and support it can get. If you have a further interest in GKP or would like to become a sponsor contact Deb Clark - deb@giftedkids.co.nz.

ENDS

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