Giftedness can be isolating

The New Zealand Association for Gifted Children has announced the winners of a national competition designed to celebrate gifted kids, their families and professional educators.

The winners come from all over NZ – from Dunedin in the south to Kumeu in the north – and one is from the UK. The first-prize winner in each category will receive a $50 book token.

The head of the judging panel, NZAGC national representative Ruth Crawford, an Auckland educational psychologist, said: “The standard of the entries was very high. What was striking was the sense of isolation portrayed in some of the poems and pictures.

“Being gifted is not always easy. The parents’ entries revealed the same difficulties.”

The competition was launched during Gifted Awareness Week, which was held from 14th-20th June, 2009.

RESULTS: All books donated, thanks to sponsor Harper Collins.

PRE-SCHOOL: an artwork on the theme: The Tall Poppy.

1st: group entry by Alexandra Kindergarten, Alexandra – collage of poppies.

2nd: Harry Sills, four years, Kumeu – drawing of octopuses. Said Harry: “It’s not about a tall poppy; it’s about a family of octopus. I’m doing my own thing.” The judges decided that was typical of gifted children.

3rd: Annelise Scharpf, four years, Port Chalmers, Dunedin – drawing of tall poppies.

PRIMARY (two age categories): a story, poem or artwork on the theme: The Tall Poppy.

Ages five to seven

1st: Alaina Wilks, six years, Samuel Marsden Primary, Wellington – drawing.

2nd equal: Natalia Garcia Gill, six years, Hamilton – Mexican tapestry and booklet.

2nd equal: Lydia Robinson, six years, Christchurch – poem.

3rd: Ryan Ofamo’-Oni, seven years, Good Shepherd School, Balmoral, Auckland – painting.

Ages eight to 10:

1st: Keryn Tubbs, 10 years, S.T.A.R. Programme for Gifted Kids, Alexandra – collage.

2nd: Nelson Cook, 10 years, Verran Primary, Birkenhead – pastel drawing.

3rd equal: Aoife Hyland, nine years, Fendalton Primary, Christchurch – poem.

3rd equal: Caitlin Reckin, nine years, Auckland – poem on canvas.

INTERMEDIATE: an artwork or short (fewer than 100 words) answer, poem or story on: What should schools in the year 2050 be like?

1st: Jack Brosnahan, 12 years, Kavanagh College, Dunedin – statement.

2nd: Bryn Gibson, 11 years, Central Otago REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme), Alexandra –statement.

3rd: Kate George, 12 years, Kavanagh College, Dunedin – poem.

SECONDARY: a short (fewer than 100 words) answer to the question: What constitutes life?

1st: Sam Lee, 13 years, St Andrew’s College, Papanui, Christchurch – poem.

2nd: Britt Holmes, 13 years, Waimea College, Marlborough – poem.

3rd: Katie Allen, 12 years, New Plymouth Girls High School, New Plymouth – statement.

PARENTS: an artwork or short (fewer than 100 words) answer, poem or story on the theme: Living with a gifted child is…

1st: Zana Bayley, Buckinghamshire, England, UK – poem.

2nd: Rosemary Goodyear, Christchurch – poem.

3rd: Robbie Gerard, Geraldine, South Canterbury – song lyrics.

PROFESSIONALS: an artwork or short answer, poem or story on the theme: To Cluster or not to Cluster – that is the question.

1st: Ruth Luketina, Mangere College, Mangere.
 

All winning entries can be viewed/downloaded at: www.giftedchildren.org.nz