What's New? the latest giftednz happenings
giftEDnewz
The latest e-zine is due out soon with a theme of Wellbeing and we are sure you will find a lot to support you in your work around the social and emotional issues that our gifted students can sometimes face.
The next e-zine has a theme of Culture so please do get in touch with our editor Emma, if you would like to write a piece for this or have any ideas at all to share around this very important theme.
Emerging Researchers' Retreat
STOP PRESS!!! We are pleased to announce that we will be holding another Emerging Researchers’ Writing Retreat this year, from August 26th–28th.
giftEDnz supports New Zealand-based research and seeks to promote continued growth in the dissemination of findings through publications. Following on from the great success of the previous Emerging Researchers' Retreat, this opportunity to be mentored in the writing process, assisting in getting research written up for publication submission, is again being offered. Board member Nadine Ballam is leading this retreat. Please take a look at the expression of interest to learn more about this event. Your submission is welcomed, with giftEDnz looking forward to a large number of applications for this exciting opportunity. Inquiries and applications can be addressed to Nadine.
giftEDnz Regional Cafes
Preparations are underway with this exciting new initiative aimed at providing support in the regions of the country where schools, early childhood centres and educators might be finding it difficult to access support in the area of gifted education.
giftEDnz will facilitate an initial cafe; a networking chat-session, around what is happening in gifted education for educators from schools and early childhood centres around the region. This will be led by a Board member and/or local giftEDnz members.
If you have suggestions of where a cafe could be helpful, and/or would like to get involved, please get in touch.
giftEDnz Roadshow
Coming to a major centre near you in April 2017
Instead of a national conference held in one place, which we have found is becoming increasingly out of reach for many in terms of attendance costs, giftEDnz is booking a renowned international Keynote speaker and, using the philosophy of the Speakers' Bureau, will be bringing the speaker close to you. The Roadshow will visit Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Further to the Keynote speaker, local groups will be encouraged to provide further sessions about gifted education at each venue. If you are keen to be involved, or have ideas you would like to suggest, please contact Sunny.
Sharing Resources
If you know of any other articles or publications that should be included on the Resources Page, contact Vanessa, our web manager. We are always keen to be informed of new work that might be useful to you, our members.
Gifted Awareness Week (GAW) 2016
An early heads up that Gifted Awareness Week this year is from June 13th – 19th. Jo Dean is the Board member co-ordinating our contribution for this week and she will update you all on plans closer to the time.
Life-time Membership Award
In recognition of Tracy's tremendous commitment and contribution to gifted education in Aotearoa and in her capacity as a co-founder, chair and member of the giftEDnz Board, giftEDnz has awarded her a life-time membership. Thank you and congratulations Tracy.
Finally, in ger position as Chair, Louise continues to work closely with Deb Walker, CEO of NZCGE and Andrew Patterson, President of NZAGC in collaborative efforts for advocating to the Ministry of Education for the needs of gifted students in our schools and centres. It is slow progress but we are determined and we have managed to lock in regular meetings, although sadly often with not much action as a result. There is a small working project in the pipeline for gifted education and I will confirm this with members once it has been signed off by the Ministry. Suffice to say that both interest and funding for gifted and talented education at Ministry level is very low at present.
We hope this information keeps you informed of giftEDnz work to date. Please get in touch at any time.
2016 AGM Election Results
Thank you to all the nominees who stood for the position of Board member for giftEDnz. We are pleased to announce that Karen (Sunny) Bush has been re-elected as Board member for the next three years. We are also pleased to inform members that the role of Treasurer, which was vacant at the AGM, has been filled. Nadine Ballam from the University of Waikato agreed to stand and has been elected unopposed for the one year term that was left vacant due to retirement, and Melinda Webber has kindly agreed to being co-opted. We warmly welcome both Nadine and Melinda to the giftEDnz Board.