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The
Gifted Education Centre is challenging Auckland Primary
School children to go beyond the ordinary and take
part in New Zealand's biggest game of Scrabble.
The
GEC GIANT Scrabble competition will see 6 teams of
Auckland primary school children compete with 1 metre
squared letter tiles to become champions of a 16 metre
squared Scrabble board.
The
contestants have won the opportunity to play in this
larger-than-life GIANT Scrabble game through a picture
essay competition where they designed Scrabble pieces
in honour of high achieving tall poppies who inspire
them. This design competition was open to both students
and non-students of One Day School.
GEC
GIANT Scrabble competition was designed to celebrate
the unique characteristics of every individual and
encourage all kiwi kids to reach for their full potential.
"The
tall poppy syndrome is an issue that must be addressed
as our children's talents are not being appreciated,"
says GEC director Kathy Williams.
"The
GIANT Scrabble competition will get more children
thinking about their hopes and aspirations and more
people talking about giftedness."
Approximately
five percent of children are 'gifted' but unfortunately
in New Zealand the term 'gifted' is wrongly perceived
and holds negative connotations.
"People
have the impression that celebrating 'giftedness'
is being elitist, but they don't realise that 'tall
poppies' are all around us," says Williams.
To
address this point, entrants were encouraged to think
about tall poppies in their own communities as well
as famous people when designing their tiles. The result
was artwork inspired by a range of both high and low
profile tall poppies ranging from Hayley Westenra
and Sir Edmund Hillary to mothers, grandmas, and uncles.
Eleven
year old Theo Kelly nominated his uncle.
"Jay
Hollows is my uncle. He goes to Ellam Art School.
He has inspired me to do art. He uses pastel and water
colour paints to do maybe even Jackson Pollock designs.
So this "V" reflects the "pastel Pollock"
design."
Sierra
Naraghi-Keiper, also eleven, nominated Sir Edmund
Hillary.
"His
attitude was one of a kind. He had determination,
stamina and skills. I think he is the world's No.1
person. He aimed at the very highest and set a challenging
goal: "To climb Mount Everest."
"I
chose the letter "E" because it represents
Mt. Everest, and although it only has one score point
in Scrabble, in my belief he is number one."
Kelly
and Naraghi-Keiper will be playing GIANT Scrabble
along with 4 friends who they have selected to be
on their team.
The
competition will take place at Mt Smart Stadium on
October 30 and has been generously sponsored by Mattel
NZ Ltd, who have provided a range of prizes that both
participants and audience members will have the chance
of winning.
Click
here for some photos
from the event.
Event
details:
When:
Friday October 30, 4:00 - 6:30pm
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Beasley Ave, Penrose.
Parking available via Beasley Ave.
All
are welcome for an afternoon of fun and great prizes!
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