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The Gifted Education Centre
To Go Beyond the Known
 
     
 
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NEWS

30th October 2009 - GEC encourages Kiwi kids to think BIG

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!

 

November 12th 2007 - George Parkyn Centre becomes the Gifted Education Centre

The George Parkyn Centre is becoming The Gifted Education Centre!!! After 12 years, we will re-open in January 2008 under a new name, reflecting the growth of the Centre and clearly defining the work that we do.

The name and work of George Parkyn (1910–1993) will remain synonymous in the minds of many with the progress of gifted education both within New Zealand and internationally.

The Centre, and the thousands of children and families that the Centre’s work has touched over the last decade or more, greatly respects and recognizes the work of George Parkyn, and that of Rosemary Cathcart, the Centre’s founder.

We look forward now to working to build on, and expand on that progress – by broadening the services offered (eg the introduction of services for pre-school children), and building public awareness of the needs of these children.

Over the coming months, you may see subtle changes in our website and/or our printed materials as we transition towards this exciting new move. It is our aim that by 14 January 2008, the date we re-open after the end of year break, the work will be finished, and we have completed our metamorphisis!

We look forward to supporting you with your gifted children, and pupils, for many years to come.

 

July 1st 2007 - Gifted Education Centre takes over the running of Small Poppies

As of 1 July, the Gifted Education Centre is managing and facilitating the Small Poppies programme – a programme especially developed for gifted pre-schoolers... read more

 

NEWSLETTERS

Semester 1, 2007

(337KB)

EVENTS

Conference

The NZAGC/ Auckland Explorers Conference to be held in Auckland 17th March 2012. The theme of the conference this year is "Gifted Teens their Social & Emotional needs".

Click here for the poster (PDF format).

Open Days/MAD sessions (Mind Adventure Days)

The Gifted Education Centre often runs Open Day / Mind Adventure Day (MAD) sessions . These half day, hands on sessions are based on the One Day School™ programme and enable parents and the children themselves to decide on future options for the more able/gifted child.

Open Days in Auckland

The first Open Day for 2012 will be held at Owairaka School, Wednesday 25th January.

Owairaka School Weds 25th January 2012
9.30am – 12.00 (younger children)
1.00pm - 3.30pm (older group)

Bookings are essential - contact Sarah.

Open Days in Christchurch

Juniors in the morning and seniors in the afternoon. Contact andrea.wong@giftededucation.org.nz.

Kendal Primary School None currently scheduled

 

Open Days in Nelson

Appleby School None currently scheduled

2.5 hour ‘tastes’ of One Day School - juniors in the morning and seniors in the afternoon. Contact leanne.pressman@giftededucation.org.nz.

Open Days in Wellington

Cardinal McKeefry School None currently scheduled

Try a half day session of One Day School at Cardinal McKeefry School.
Paid pre-registration required.

Email shirley.lawn@giftededucation.org.nz or phone 04 232 3523.

Awareness Week 2011

Our fourth Awareness Week ran from 13th - 19th June 2011. Details of regional and national events can be viewed here.

Awareness Week 2010

The Awareness Week ran from 14th - 20th June 2010. Details of regional and national events can be viewed here.

Awareness Week 2009

The Awareness Week ran from 15th - 21st June 2009. Details of regional and national events can be viewed here.

Awareness Week 2008

Our first Awareness Week was celebrated from Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd June 2008. This week includes June 17th, the birthdate of the inspiration behind the Gifted Education centre, Professor George Parkyn. Check out the events that occured at a One Day School near you during this week - there was fun, information and participation for all interested in Gifted Education. The 2008 Awareness Week page is here.