Tuatahi
Students who are gifted or talented are those who are able to significantly outperform their peers in their area/s of ability. Each country’s education system should reflect its own special characteristics, values and beliefs. The Eastern Bay of Plenty is a region with two dominant cultural influences; Maori and Pakeha, and it is important that both are reflected in the education institutions. The TUATAHI programme blends the principles of educational models from overseas with principles of learning that reflect both Maori and Pakeha definitions of giftedness.
Students who demonstrate physical, artistic, mechanical, leadership and musical talents should be catered for appropriately. At Edgecumbe College students talented in these areas are able to specialise though participation in option classes and co-curricular activities with others who share their interests. In this way participants are able to develop their skills at their own level with others who challenge and encourage them. Academically talented students are invited to participate in TUATAHI classes which provide appropriate extension and enrichment within an environment that also recognises, and caters for, their social and emotional needs.
The Maori concept of mana tangata (the power acquired by an individual according to his or her ability and effort to develop skills and to gain knowledge in particular areas) is particularly relevant in the New Zealand context. In the TUATAHI programme, sharing of knowledge and the use of talent and ability to improve the society in which we live is an expected outcome. This is not achieved by chance; opportunities must be provided for students to develop these values and attitudes.
Students who are successful at school may achieve well academically but they do not necessarily maximise their high levels of skill to the point where they pursue areas of personal interest and become lifelong autonomous learners. The Advanced Learning Programme at Edgecumbe College offers a coordinated approach to the education of talented students through a range of innovative strategies designed to provide challenging and rewarding educational experiences commensurate with the abilities of this particular group.
| Year 9 | |||
| Term One Orientation | Term Two Orientation; Individual development | Term Three Individual Development; Enrichment Activities | Term Four Enrichment Activities & Seminars |
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Information evening (open) Personalised growth plans Theme dinner Big Day Out - local exploration Psychology understanding own strengths & weaknesses |
Learning Retreat - Emphasis on Understanding ability; group building. Philosophy analytical thinking Learning to Learn course Resiliency Creative, critical, strategic thinking |
Overnight trip to Hamilton Museum; University visit Higher Level Thinking - Brain Games Intrapersonal skills focus Career investigation; Shadowing-Investigate one career. Interpersonal skills focus |
Origins of Language, Codes Study Skills Applications to enter Year 10 TUATAHI Personal interests mini-investigations & seminar presentations Presentation Evening |
| Year 10 | |||
| Term One Individual Development, Enrichment Activities, Seminars, Local Study | Term Two - Individual Development, Enrichment Activities, Seminars, Global Study | Term Three - Enrichment Activities, Seminars, In-Depth Study | Term Four - Seminars, In-Depth Study |
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Big Day Out Local exploration organising trips (leadership) World Issues - Global Participation Service investigations contributing to the local community |
Learning Retreat: Adventure & Exploration. Emphasis on Leadership. Exam strategies course The Brain Career explorations shadowing, feedback, planning |
Big Day Out Challenges, Competitions Global participation course seminar presentations Personality Hero Study Leadership |
Big Day Out Adult Expert Presentations based on Global Participation course Evaluation Graduation |
