Manawa Toa
(Gifted and Talented +)
Quick links: Academic
Manawa Toa (Gifted and Talented +)
Marlborough Boys’ College is committed to the vision that gifted learners are recognised, supported, and empowered to develop their unique abilities. Our Manawa Toa programme (formerly GATE) responds to the diversity of our ākonga, providing equitable access to responsive learning that enables every student to maximise their potential.
The "plus" in Manawa Toa signifies our inclusive approach; we provide a specialised environment not only for the academically gifted, but also for priority learning groups including neurodiverse students and those with specific socio-emotional needs, such as high anxiety.
Programme Aims
The programme is designed to help students interact with like-minded peers to:
-
Develop an understanding of themselves as gifted and unique individuals
-
Explore and develop specific strengths, talents, and passions
-
Engage in complex, abstract thinking and sophisticated learning processes
-
Build self-direction, resilience, and autonomy
The Selection Process
Identification is an ongoing process. We triangulate three key sources of data to ensure the right students are supported
-
Whānau: Parent and family nominations
-
Kaiako: Teacher nominations, classroom observations, and Taster Day engagements
-
Data: Entrance testing, primary school records, and evidence of "twice-exceptionality"
Manawa Toa is also an "opt-out" programme if whānau or students feel the class is not working for them.
Junior School (Years 9 & 10)
In the Junior School, the Manawa Toa class is a two-year journey (the 004 and 014 classes) where learners are grouped together for core subjects. This allows kaiako to create a "connected curriculum," linking themes across different subjects: for example, discussing the biological brain in Science while exploring behavioural science in English.
Senior School (Years 11–13)
In the Senior School, the focus shifts toward acceleration and performance. We recognise that a student's social and emotional maturity is often linked more to their mental age than their chronological age. Support includes:
-
Subject or Whole-Year Acceleration: Allowing students to work at a level that matches their cognitive ability.
-
Scholarship Programmes: Faculty-led challenges designed for high-level attainment.
-
Enrichment: Opportunities in leadership, sports, and cultural domains.
Our Learning Strategies
Our team of kaiako use researched, proven strategies to ensure Manawa Toa students thrive:
-
Differentiated Programmes: Tailoring content to individual needs, acknowledging that a student may be gifted in one area but not all.
-
Inquiry-Based Learning: Encouraging curiosity and student-led investigation.
-
Risk-Taking: Creating a safe environment for students to embrace challenge and potential failure as part of growth.
-
Real-World Context: Making learning relevant through regional and global connections.