The Gifted and Talented Programme aims to develop students who are confident, independent learners who will be challenged rigorously. The programme at Shirley Boys embraces a holistic approach developing academic, creativity, problem-solving, sport and leadership aspects of boys’ education.
At SBHS our definition of ‘gifted and talented’ relates to those students who have exceptional or high-level abilities in one or more areas identified within our learning culture. These students possess or have the potential to go beyond the norms of their level. These students embrace the culture & responsive environment which they are surrounded by. The definition is not fixed and is reviewed yearly to allow flexibility within cohorts and developmental pedagogy.
Our practice & methodology is based upon knowledge of formal data, proven research in the specialist area of gifted education, identification procedures from feeder schools as well parental input. Our programme embraces key aspects of the ‘Shirley Man’ and facilitate the students to be highly motivated in their learning.
BETTER THAN BEFORE (BTB)
The extension programme at SBHS offers a range of different approaches to allow our students to be ‘Better than Before’. These include:
Acceleration
Students have the opportunity to sit NCEA subjects early if appropriate to their stage of learning.
Enrichment
Students experience subjects which offer depth & breadth to the curriculum as well as opportunities to apply skills outside of the classroom.
Differentiated curriculum
Qualifications
Competition
Individual Education Programmes (IEP)
Problem-Solving & Creative Thinking
Study Skills
Mentoring
SPORTS ACADEMY
The Sport Development/Academy programme is an area in the school designed to develop and assist committed and talented athletes to pursue excellence in both sporting and academic endeavours in a balanced and supportive environment.
Students need to apply each year and meet the entry criteria. If accepted students must still meet the criteria of the programme as well as demonstrating the key ‘Shirley Man’ values. Failure to do this will result in your place in the programme being terminated.
Criteria used in the selection process:
- Must be selected AND be an active member of their chosen codes top team for Shirley Boys High School.
- Individual athletes need to obtain a reference from an external person such as a coach/trainer, which outlines their history and success in their sport AND how they will support them in this programme.
- Gain applicable code teacher approval if a returning Year 11, 12 and 13 student. (If a new applicant, the student’s Physical Education teacher’s feedback is sought)
- Gain the appropriate Teacher in Charge of Sport approval.
- Where applicable, attend trials which will occur at lunchtimes or after school.
- Fitness Testing scores examined.
Academically, the programme delivers both NCEA PE standards in Years 10 & 11 as well as iGCSE Physical Education as a means of extension for selected Year 11 students. Both courses offer challenge and rigour to underpin both the practical and theoretical components of sport.
The programme has delivered success to the students selected to the course leading to notable performances both nationally and internationally. The programme not only works to support the success of school teams/competitions but works in conjunction with external coaches to support the students in the wider world of sport. Within the past year students supported by the programme have represented SBHS teams which have placed in the top 10 schools in NZ in volleyball, futsal, rowing as well as the successes in athletics, triathlon, freestyle skiing and boxing.
Selection onto the programme embraces a number of different aspects which include (but are not limited to) performance in chosen sporting discipline, results of fitness testing, results of e-learning testing, feedback from coaches and performance across all school subjects. The programme across all year levels has minimum standards in which students have to meet to maintain their place in the programme.
SCHOLARSHIPS
As well as our traditional Academic Scholarship which is awarded to the prospective student who scores the highest on the CV Gallagher Scholarship examination, for students starting in 2021 there is also the opportunity to gain the “CV Gallagher Creative Shirley Music Scholarship” and the “CV Gallagher Spartan Sport Scholarship”. There are also additional scholarships awarded annually, the details of these can be found below.
Application forms
CV Gallagher Creative Shirley Music Scholarship
Scholarships we offer:
The C V Gallagher Scholarship examination is for Year 8 students intending to enrol at Shirley BHS in 2022. Registrations are now open and will close on Friday 18 June 2021. Information regarding the testing will be emailed after this date.
The student who wins the Scholarship will earn $500 on his school account to defray 2021 expenses and $500 deposited into their account.
The Creative Shirley Music Scholarship made its inaugural award in 2016. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming Year 9 student who shows exceptional talent, ability and potential. The recipient of this scholarship will be expected to make a significant commitment and contribution to the co-curricular aspects of musical performance at Shirley Boys High School.
The scholarship is available to a student who has instrumental ability and/or singing ability. The student will take Music as a timetabled option subject and will have a great passion for all aspects of musical performance.
All boys who are short-listed for consideration must audition. This will consist of a musical performance consisting of two pieces and a discussion over musical direction with key members of the Creative Shirley committee. The audition will last up to 15 minutes in duration. All short-listed students will be notified at least one week before audition.
The Creative Shirley Music Scholarship will contribute to the associated musical advancement of a student’s creative endeavours to the value of $1000.00. Half of this amount will be given to the student in cash, and the other half ($500) will be credited to the students school account. The expectation is that the full amount of these monies will be spent on music related items or expenses at Shirley Boys High School.
The student who gains this scholarship will be embraced by great passion, expertise & enthusiasm in all aspects of his education.
Applications for the Creative Shirley Musical Scholarship close at 3pm on Friday 18 June 2021. More information will follow once registration closes.
All decisions made upon the award of this scholarship will be made unanimously by the Music Department, Mr Brad Banks, Miss Anna Speechly, the Director of Gifted & Talented, Miss Elizabeth Wilson.
The CV Gallagher Spartan Sport Scholarship made its inaugural award in 2016. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming Year 9 student who shows exceptional talent, ability & potential. The recipient of this scholarship will be expected to make a significant commitment & contribution to the co-curricular aspects of sporting representation at Shirley Boys High School.
The scholarship is available to a student who has significant ability across a multitude of sports. The scholarship will last for 1 year & the recipient expected to maintain standards of fitness & academic performance as expected in line with the Sport Development programme.
All boys short-listed will be invited to SBHS to under-go a day of fitness testing, generic sporting assessment & short interview. The short-listed students will be considered by the Teacher in charge of Sport Development and the Director of Sport. You will be notified one week before assessment day.
The CV Gallagher Spartan Sport Scholarship will contribute to the associated sporting fees attached to a student’s sporting endeavours up to $1000. The student who gains this scholarship will be embraced by great passion, expertise & enthusiasm in all aspects of his education.
Applications for the Spartan Sport Scholarship close at 3pm on Friday 18 June 2021. More information will follow once registration closes. All decisions made upon the award of this scholarship will be made unanimously by the Teacher in charge of Sport Development and by the Director of Spartan Sport.
In addition to this entry scholarship, the Spartans Sports Committee award annual Y10 Spartan Sports Scholarships (where appropriate) worth $400 each to the most promising junior athletes in the school. These awards will be decided on by the Spartan Sports Committee and presented at the Sportsman of the Year Awards in September. Not available by application.
