[snowsnowflying]

DS is a current year 6 students as well and looking forward starting his high school next year - Glad to find this group here

I wasn't quite sure if DS should be classified as G&T or not. I always feel it is a very high standard to be classified as G&T, so, I have never thought of having him sit an IQ test before - he will be whatever he is now, no matter what the score is.

I was a bit surprised to find out that there are so many kids here in EB having skipped one or two years to a higher level. Now I start thinking: Did DS miss out something?

In the recent selective test, DS was doing OK. He had a full mark in Maths and had an offer from the toppest selective school. He scored HD in English, Maths, Writing & Science in recent ICAS competitions. So, I am guessing maybe he could be classified as some kind of G&T, in some areas. However, he has never been suggested to skip a year by any of the school teachers.

Maybe this was because he is in a public system? DS is in an OC class currently, but overall, it seems there is not much big difference with a normal class, except there are more smarts kids in the class now.

Next year, DS will transfer to a private high school. I have heard from some other friends that acceleration is not permitted in this school either. (So, obviously, it seems that public system wasn't the reason why DS was not accelerated. ) I know there are even more smart kids there, so, I hope DS will not feel bored there any more...
- Actually, that's why I felt a bit embarrassed today when I found out that there were so many kids here in EB actually have been accelerated. I was ignoring DS' complaining for all these years: Mum, I am so bored at school...

What I have been thinking is: DS is not the toppest student in NSW, since other smarter kids are still in year 6, I didn't see any reason that DS should skip one year. But maybe I have been thinking wrongly?

This post has been edited by snowsnowflying: 23/11/2011, 07:02 AM

[~ky~]

My DD 15 is attending the G & T high school in Perth WA. she is in year 11

http://www.perthmodernschool.det.wa.edu.au/

Fantastic school best thing I ever did for her was get her to sit the test to get in...

My 10yo DD is in grade 6 this year and will be sitting the test in May. Her number one pick is Perth Modern with the second being Comet Bay. We're heading to the information evening at Perth Modern on this coming Tuesday night.

I really, really hope that she achieves a place there ...

This post has been edited by ~ky~: 20/02/2012, 03:36 AM

[Michaelmichelle]

Have you ever wonder how long the iq test score will outlast for our children?
Will they ever score lower/higher as they grow older?

Does a child still have to sit for a gifted entrance test even with the assessment result?Or does it serve as a supporting document?

[~ky~]

Have you ever wonder how long the iq test score will outlast for our children?
Will they ever score lower/higher as they grow older?

Does a child still have to sit for a gifted entrance test even with the assessment result?Or does it serve as a supporting document?

As far as I know, there are no "free passes" into the GATE program and all children have to sit the same exams on the same day at the same time - very few exceptions available. It is not entirely based on IQ either and previous testing is not taken into account at all.

Also, I have been told that there are many children who were identified as "gifted" in primary school and were a part of the primary school extension programs who will not qualify for a placement in the GATE program and there are many whom did not wualify in primary school who will breeze into the GATE program.

This has made me a little happier about my DD sitting the exams. She did not qualify for the primary school programs but has been identified by her teachers as being suited and having the academic ability to attain a place in the GATE program.

eta ... I have no clue as to my DD or DS' IQ scores nor do I wish to know. As far as I know, they are both very bright, they learn quickly and thoroughly and are happy children.

This post has been edited by ~ky~: 26/04/2012, 12:11 AM

[~ky~]

Woohoo!

DD has been offered a place at her second choice school in the GATE program.so, although she won't be going to Perth Modern, she will be attending Comet Bay College which is only a 10 minute drive for us rather than an hour of public transport each way.

She is over the top excited!



This post has been edited by ~ky~: 17/08/2012, 01:11 AM

[LiveLife]

congrats on your DD getting into Comet Bay. It is such a hard decision to make with gifted kids in perth since the establishment of Perth Modern as purely select entry only. From what I'm hearing the other GATE schools have shifted focus somewhat now their cohorts have changed. I'd love to hear what you have learned about the difference between Comet Bay GATE and Perth Modern and any tips for best placement of children into either program. It also seems that many of the smaller/mid range private schools have really upped the anti of establishing gifted programs--> have you looked into any of those and how did you decide on Comet v Mid range Private gifted program. I've still got a few years up my sleeve until we sit the testing.

[~ky~]

It was purely a financial decision for us as there was no way we could afford private at the time of testing and leading up to it. Our circumstances have changed since and we may look at private for our son as he doesn't test well due to his aspergers but I would hazard a guess that he is even brighter than our DD.

We've decided to put a hold on the offer of placement in the hopes that she is offered a place at Perth Modern in the second round of offers. If she isn't, then she still has the place at Comet Bay should she wish.

The thing I was most concerned about at the Comet Bay info evening, was the students they chose to speak on behalf of the program. One had not prepared anything and gave a very garbled, arrogant, "off the cuff" speech. The other had won an oratory contest but had the worst spoken grammar I have heard in a long time! She "said" her speech, referred to those gathered as "youse" and "done" her maths. It didn't really fill me with confidence in the program there.

Mind you, I am of the opinion that a child can thrive in most school environments with good raw material and home support, if they have the motivation to do so.

[LiveLife]

ky thats seems to be the opinion I'm hearing about the other outer GATE programs (with all the birghtest kids pulled to Perth Modern they just arent that inspiring anymore and more a "drawcard" so the local public highschools dont lose all bright kids in their catchment area.). I believe you can find out where you are on the Perth Modern second round list (with many not taking places as they chose to go to the gifted programs in private schools which are just as well equipped in some cases) I too would be hanging out for an offer there. Have you listed her for offers at more reputable GATE programs? Has she sat exams for scholarship entry to the private schools? Just some other thoughts for you. Have you had her IQ tested--> some private schools see that as very attractive for scholarship entry and we already have had grade skip/sub acc discussions with one private school 3 yrs ahead of entry based on >99% IQ.

This post has been edited by LiveLife: 24/08/2012, 08:50 PM

[christine30]

My now 17 year old is in her last year at Perth Modern...Year 12


Exams are coming and its a high stress time but the one thing I really love is the school and Every teacher is supporting each child to do there best.

Sadly I have seen many kids lost in the system and under achieve for lack of support

I hope that where ever you sent you child she is happy and has support to achieve her dream

[~ky~]

We let Bella choose her schools for the GATE program. She chose Perth Modern as her first choice due to having searched for high schools in the area a few years ago and falling in love with it through it's website. She loves the uniforms, opportunities, the fact that it will require discipline and hard work so I am really hoping that her dream comes true and she is offered a place there. Comet Bay was her second choice as her best friend from primary school is going there whether he gets into the GATE program or not. He has yet to hear anything so it appears he didn't make it into the first round of offers. Comet Bay is also a short bus ride for her rather than over an hours travel time to Perth Modern, which I am sure she could cope with.

We have never had her IQ tested. I guess we should think about it as it could be an option to move her to a private school should she not be challenged enough at Comet Bay if that is where she ends up. I don't know how DS would go with IQ testing ... I guess there is only one way to find out!

We have been aware for years that Bella is a bright girl. Her preschool in NSW actually approached our primary school of choice asking whether they would take her for FYOS (Kinder) at 3, turning 4 as she was already reading, writing and had a great general knowledge and grasp of maths and scientific concepts. At the time, DH and I thought they were exaggerating the issue as she was our first child and we thought that little kids were just bright little sparks who absorbed everything that interested them and these things seemed to be what she wanted to learn about! Needless to say, she was unable to start until 4, turning 5 which was fine by me as I loved having her home with me. Also, DS, although non verbal until 2 ½ had already started showing some of the same "bright" traits so again, we just thought she was a pretty normal kid.

Her school results over the years have never been particularly outstanding - she has always been near the top of her grade, but there have always been kids working at about the same level so we thought nothing of it. She is a "not quite typical" 11yo girl as she has no interest in fashion/boys/pop music etc. She is more likely to be found discussing quantum physics with her friend, general trivia with her music teacher, reading or learning the period table of elements (she knows it all now, including which element comes where). She is also a lovely, kind, caring big sister who is protective and adoring of her little brother and sister and still likes to hang out with Mum and Dad. These last few things are what I value about her the most - she is a daughter to be proud of. And I am!

Anyway, summing up what I have tried to say in that lengthy diatribe ... No, we have no idea of her IQ and honestly think it may be above average but probably not spectacular. Thank you for informing us of the other options with regard to private school programs. I'll have to speak with DH next time he is home and see what he thinks about getting both of the older children tested.

How would we go about that, exactly? I have no clue ...