Help for bright Townsville kids

13 October 2005

Parents of bright children in Townsville are invited to attend the first of 50 workshops to be run Australia-wide by a team of experts in gifted education from the University of New South Wales.

The workshop, to be held on Saturday 8 October, will be conducted by experts from the University's Gifted Education Research, Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC).

"Thousands of children, particularly outside the state capital cities, lack access to resources and so have not been recognised as gifted," says Professor Miraca Gross, Director of GERRIC. "Children who are not identified will often languish in class rooms, feel isolated and will not receive appropriate assistance."

The free workshops will outline ways parents can identify high ability in children; strategies for preventing underachievement in gifted students; the impact of having a gifted child on family dynamics; the various forms of acceleration for gifted students; and parent advocacy. While primarily aimed at parents, the workshops are designed to benefit local school teachers, and teacher educators are also invited to attend.

"We know that the home and school are the two most important areas of learning for children. This initiative aims to target those gifted students who may be most at risk for underachievement," says Professor Gross. "The workshops will improve parents' understanding of gifted education issues and how they can both help their children at home and support their schools."

The workshops, funded by the Federal Government, will take place around Australia between October 2005 and October 2006. The GERRIC team will also be available to provide professional development workshops for teachers and school administrators while they are in the local area. In addition, there will be four online workshops for those parents who cannot attend due to issues including disability, drought and for those living in extremely remote areas.

What: Workshop for parents of gifted children (teachers also welcome)

Where: Townsville

When: 10 - 5pm, Saturday 8 October 2005

Future locations in Queensland: Weipa, Cairns, Mt Isa, Rockhampton, Longreach, Mackay, Roma, Toowoomba.

Registration is essential. For more information see the GERRIC website or free call ph: 1800 626 824.

Media contact: Alex Clark, media unit 02 9385 3263/0405 237 553 alex.clark@unsw.edu.au

Date issued: 23 September 2005