Waka Ama
Keeping you afloat
Waka Ama
Keeping you afloat
Waka Ama is a waka that requires an outrigger to keep balanced and afloat. Waka Ama provides access to Kaiārahi (leaders) in gifted education who provide on-the-spot support to educators and co-ordinators with an immediate need or query.
Waka Ama has two support strands; 1) resources sharing on our Gifted Aotearoa Facebook Page and 2) specialist support with your FAQ's.
Our gifted education specialists are available to personally respond to your queries, challenges or concerns. Read through their bios and decide who best fits your needs in your current situation. Then email your query, challenge or concern to your chosen expert with "Gifted Aotearoa: Waka Ama" in the subject line. She will respond to you personally. Go on ... Sue, Brooke and Rosemary are ready to help you now!
All questions and answers are edited for anonymity and suitability, then published to the Gifted Community on TKI so that everybody can benefit. Click on over to see the Waka Ama Q and As at date.
Sue Barriball
NZ Centre for Gifted Education
Email: sue.barriball@nzcge.co.nz
Sue is an experienced educator, having taught primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and has specialised in teaching gifted learners for the past 15 years. She is a former director of the George Parkyn National Centre for Gifted Education and REACH Education tutor, and currently oversees all student programmes at NZCGE. Sue has extensive knowledge and experience in gifted education, thinking skills, and the depth and complexity framework. In addition, Sue has delivered PLD online and face-to-face and presented nationally and internationally on gifted education. She is also a parent of gifted children and contributes regularly to both educator and parent groups.
Brooke Trenwith
NZ Association for Gifted Children
Email: president@giftedchildren.org.nz
Brooke is a New Zealand Representative on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children and a MOE Accredited consultant. She has taught early childhood through to university level, been a Gifted Coordinator and was assistant director of an English Language School in Taiwan. Brooke was project leader of the Te Toi Tupu contract, helping schools develop robust, transparent and cohesive approaches to gifted education. Brooke’s specialisations include giftedness, inclusive education, relationship-based learning/cultural responsiveness, coaching/change management, thinking skills, digital fluency, innovative learning and collaborative practice. Brooke is on the Reference Group for the Ministerial Review of Curriculum, Progress and Achievement.
Rosemary Cathcart
REACH Education
Email: reacheducation@xtra.co.nz
Dr Rosemary Cathcart is director of REACH Education, Ministry-accredited providers of the award-winning Certificate of Effective Practice in Gifted Education, and was formerly founding director of the George Parkyn Centre for Gifted Education. Rosemary has been proactively involved in almost every aspect of gifted education for over 30 years, working intensively with children, teachers, parents, education groups and organisations and as a political advocate. She is deeply committed to supporting teachers and schools in improving their knowledge in this field, both through her published materials and through workshops, courses, conferences and individual advisory work.
Waka Tīwai
Learning together
Waka Tīwai
Learning together
Waka Tīwai were every-day waka. They were used often and were ideal for moving small groups of people – like our regional network hui. They were also used for recreation, which reflects our desire to enjoy what we are participating in.
Waka Tīwai supports the growth of regional networks for educators enabling them to network and collaborate together as a community of learners, growing regional capability to meet the needs of gifted learners. The regional network consists of face to face hui and online collaboration and are focused on practical support for classroom practice.
Waka Tīwai networks are in operation in the following regions: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Manawatu, Northland, Taranaki, Waikato, Wakatipu & Wellington.
Once hui details are confirmed the registration links can be found below. Invitations to the Gifted Aotearoa online workspace are sent upon hui registration.
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REGION
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HUI DETAILS
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LINK TO REGISTER
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National Online
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Hui 2: Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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TERM 1, 2021 HUI DETAILS WILL BE FINALISED AND POSTED HERE SOON - KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR INBOX
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Auckland 1
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Hui 6: Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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Auckland 2
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Hui 6: Term 1, 2020 details TBC
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Canterbury
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Hui 6: Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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Manawatu
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Hui 6: Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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Northland
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Hui 2: Hui 2, 2021 details TBC
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Waikato
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Hui 6 - Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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Wakatipu
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Hui 6 - Term 1, 2021 details TBC
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Wellington
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Hui 6 - Term 1, 2020 details TBC
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Waka Kōpapa
Leading together
Waka Kōpapa
Leading together
Waka Kōpapa were ideal for moving small groups of people together, just as our leadership development course helps to move groups of educators along on their journey as leaders in gifted education.
REGISTRATION FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF WAKA KŌPAPA IS NOW OPEN!
For further information about this course, download the Waka Kōpapa Information Sheet.
Summary
Waka Kōpapa are distance online modules supported by a gifted education specialist facilitator. These modules are designed to help you lead in this area within your own educational setting.
We currently have two themes being offered:
1. Inclusive World - from the lens of gifted (2 modules). Start date: Wednesday 10th March 2021, 7:00pm - THIS INTAKE IS NOW FULL. REGISTER FOR THE NEXT INTAKE HERE (Dates TBC)
- Module 1 – Putting Gifted in your School’s Culture
- Module 2 – The Multi- Exceptional Scaffold
2. Learning Support Action Plan - through the lens of gifted (4 modules). Start date: Monday 8th March 2021, 4:30pm - REGISTER HERE
- Module 1 – The Learning Support Action Plan
- Module 2 – Understanding the Learning Support Coordinator Role: Purpose and Principles
- Module 3 - Understanding the Learning Support Coordinator Role: Creating Teams
- Module 4 – Leading and Connecting with Specialist Supports
Each module commences with a Zoom session at the time specified above. While these sessions are not compulsory, they are recommended. Each module should take around 3 hours to complete.
Waka Hourua
Raising new leaders
Waka Hourua
Raising new leaders
Waka Hourua were waka used for travelling long distances. The intent of this Waka is to journey over time with local emerging leaders in gifted education, to develop their ability to lead gifted education initiatives in their community and to support other educators.
WAKA HOURUA: Taking applications now for Term 4, 2020 and Term 1, 2021 opportunities. (Reduced fees for courses, conference attendance and personal development opportunities).
Contestable applications from Network members will provide opportunities to participate in a series of offerings focused on providing support from experienced educators to grow understanding of gifted education, to increase networking access to gifted education specialists in New Zealand, and to further develop roles as leaders in this space.
Please email giftedaotearoanz@gmail.com for an application form.
Please register with the Network and follow the Gifted Aotearoa Facebook page, so we can send you updates in relation to Waka Hourua.
