New Sponsorship Scheme for Gifted Students
The Gifted Education Centre is launching a new sponsorship scheme that allows companies, clubs, organisations and
groups, irrespective of their size, to support their local One Day School.
Sponsors can become Centurions, helping to protect One Day School, for a donation of $100. Or if they wish they can become Gold or Diamond Centurions
for a donation of $250 or $2500. This latter amount would permit a child whose family could not otherwise afford it to
attend One Day School for a whole year.
Kathy Williams, Director of the Gifted Education Centre, see this as a simple scheme which allows companies and
individuals to make a real difference in their local communities. “Instead of a donation disappearing into a national
bucket, the funds will be used to assist local schools and families”, said Ms. Williams. “This allows companies to be
associated with a forward-looking children’s education charity for an affordable amount”.
Centurions will receive a poster they can display in their premises, as well as receiving the thanks of the local
families who benefit directly.
More information is available on the Gifted Education website here: http://www.giftededucation.org.nz/centurions.html#QA .
BACKGROUND
One of the biggest hurdles faced by a gifted child is simply being recognised as one. The popular image of a gifted
child is of a child who is far in advance of his or her years - doing university maths at primary school for example -
and if a child does not fit this stereotype, then he or she is often not seen as being gifted. Many parents are
apprehensive about having their child identified fearing the child will be set apart from others, labeled a 'nerd' and
that they will be seen as 'pushy parents'.
Sometimes gifted children are over-looked at school because they also have learning problems, dyslexia, co-ordination
problems, etc.
Often they become confused, lonely, frustrated and develop low self esteem because they are bored and feel they don't
belong at school. Some will drop out, develop behavioural problems and under- achieve massively. Some are teased and
bullied at school. Many, especially girls, find it easier to hide their gift. They will under-achieve in order to
'fit-in'.
The social, emotional side is also very important. All children need friends. Gifted kids often think of themselves as
strange, or weird, because they haven't met other gifted children. Many do not get the same socialising practice that
most children do, because they do not connect with their age peers. At ODS they make friends, meet other children who
are interested in the same things they are, talk the same language they do, at the same level as they do, and laugh at
the same jokes.
ENDS