The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Programme at Whangarei Boys’ High School is a chance to accelerate the learning and hone the skills of our best and brightest students.  Entry is open to those boys who score in at least the ninetieth percentile across a series of standardised tests in reading, writing, listening, and numeracy.  The programme also has streams for those students who are talented in non-academic areas, like the visual or performing arts.

Funding, time, and resourcing means that, this year at least, the programme is limited to Year 9 students.  It is hoped, though, that the sound support these boys will get this year will put them in good stead over the rest of their time at WBHS.  The support of gifted students at WBHS has been less than it could have been over the last few years; we hope that this new programme will help participants really thrive, and add to the reputation WBHS has of being one of the top academic schools in the North.

The number of boys eligible for entry is about twenty; of these, about ten will be chosen.  Those boys will join me for an hour a week of high-intensity and rigorous academic acceleration.  Students will be expected to attend these tutorials, and, since they will be pulled from class for this hour, to make up any work missed.  The extra support they will receive though will be immeasurable: participation in this programme will mean their grades in NCEA and in Cambridge examinations will significantly higher than if they had not taken part.  Indeed, it is expected that a student who is part of the GATE programme will consistently gain assessments in the senior school with a grade of Achieved with Excellence or, in Cambridge, of at least A.

Students will also be expected to complete assignments to stimulate their minds and advance their thinking, to be active members of their communities, and to be as fully involved in the wider life of the school as possible.  WBHS views participants in the GATE Programme to be both academic and social leaders in the school, and we hope to give them every success possible.

Should you have any questions, or you wish your son to be assessed for eligibility, please contact me at the school.

Michael Tarry
Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator