Gifted and talented students at Aquinas College are those who demonstrate or show the potential for a high level of performance in one or more of the following areas, when compared to others of similar age, culture, experience and environment:

• Critical and creative thinking – problem solving, metacognition, intuitive thinking
• Emotional intelligence:
  • Intrapersonal skills (e.g., self-critique, self-reflect, self-regulate)
  • Interpersonal skills (e.g., leadership, organizational skills)
• Physical and sporting ability
• Cultural traditions, values and ethics
• Visual and/or performing arts
• Technological aptitude
• Academic and intellectual abilities

The school recognizes that within its group of gifted and talented students there is a wide range of ability from mild to profound.  Most will be catered for through differentiated programmes within the classroom, while some may require provision beyond the classroom (see Figure 1).

The school is committed to its gifted and talented Maori students, and recognises that in addition to those areas above, these students may demonstrate or show potential in areas specifically valued from within a Maori worldview.  Consultation with the Maori community will reaffirm these qualities.

GATE students at Aquinas College

Each faculty endeavors to develop differentiated programmes to cater for the individual needs of identified students. However, Aquinas College also offers an Autonomous Learners Program to assist gifted student’s development.

Autonomous Learner Provision

The major goal of the Autonomous Learners’ Programme is to facilitate the growth of students as independent, self-directed learners, with the development of skills, concepts and positive attitudes within the cognitive, emotional and social domains.

We call this being an Autonomous Learner. “One who solves problems or develops new ideas through a combination of divergent and convergent thinking and functions with minimal external guidance in selected areas of endeavour”. (Betts and Knapp, 1981)

The model consists of five major dimensions:

1. Orientation – understanding giftedness, group building activities, self/personal development
2. Individual Development – inter/intra personal understanding, learning skills, use of technology, university/career awareness, organisational and productivity skills
3. Enrichment – explorations, investigations, cultural activities, community service.
4. Seminars – Whole class discussions or small group presentations of futuristic, problematic, controversial, general interest or advanced knowledge topics.
5. In-Depth Study – individual projects, group projects, mentorship’s, presentations, assessment of self and others.

Betts GT & Kercher JK. (1999). Autonomous Learner Model: Optimizing Ability. Greeley, CO: ALPS.

This is about students moving from being a dependent thinker to taking charge of their own educational future.

Autonomous education helps students develop their self-consciousness, vision, practicality and freedom of discussion. These attributes serve to aid the student in their independent learning throughout their entire life.