How many children are in a G.A.T.E.WAYS group?
Programs in schools have a maximum of 20 – 22 children. Programs On Location have class sizes between 15 and 24.
How can a school become involved in sending children to G.A.T.E.WAYS?
G.A.T.E.WAYS requires a school to have a designated contact person to whom program information can be sent. That person’s contact details can be emailed to G.A.T.E.WAYS or the teacher concerned can contact G.A.T.E.WAYS on (03) 9894 2116. Teachers and parents can also view programs on the G.A.T.E.WAYS website. Once children are selected for a given program, teachers can follow the online registration process.
I am a teacher trying to set up a school account via your website. I am having trouble with this. What is the problem?
Depending on the browser you are using you may have difficulty seeing the radio buttons eg 'New Account Holders" or 'New Student'. This should be overcome if you use Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome.
How can my school become a host school?
If a school is interested in hosting, the G.A.T.E.WAYS coordinator or principal should ring (03) 9894 2116 to discuss this. In general, G.A.T.E.WAYS requires 3-4 suitable teaching spaces that can accommodate up to 22 children and the appropriate furniture, for the duration of the program. A large registration area (to cater for between 60-80 children) is also required at the start of the day.
Is there any way my child can attend a G.A.T.E.WAYS program if the school does not want to register children?
Parents can enrol their children directly in the Brainwaves Club, Holiday Club, Festivals and the So You want To Be A Leader programs.
It is possible for an individual child to attend other G.A.T.E.WAYS programs with written school approval, even if the school does not wish to be responsible for organising enrolments school –wide. Parents or schools should contact G.A.T.E.WAYS to discuss this.
Is it possible for a child to attend a program out of his/her geographical area?
Program information for a particular host school venue is sent to schools on the database within a radius of approximately 30 minutes travelling time from the host. Program information for other host school venues is available on the website. Teachers can enrol children for programs at any host school if they wish but will need to contact G.A.T.E.WAYS so that we can give our system permission for them to enrol in programs outside their geographical area.
My Year 2 child is gifted? Is it possible for him to attend one of your Year 3/4 programs?
All children who attend G.A.T.E.WAYS have been nominated or selected because they are gifted and talented or highly able. Presenters devise fast pace programs at approximately two years in advance of a child’s chronological age/school year level. Therefore it is appropriate for children to remain in the current year level at G.A.T.E.WAYS.
My school does not receive G.A.T.E.WAYS information. How do we get on the mail list?
The school should contact G.A.T.E.WAYS by email to request that they be added to the G.A.T.E.WAYS database. The name and contact details of a co-ordinator should be forwarded.
How are children selected for a G.A.T.E.WAYS program that is teacher enrolled?
G.A.T.E.WAYS runs programs throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area six days a week during the school term. A large number of programs are always on offer. Fewer programs are run interstate. A school has access to limited places in a given G.A.T.E.WAYS program. These are not guaranteed places, as enrolments are taken on a ‘first come first served’ basis up to the maximum class size. Thereafter children go onto a waiting list.
When a school receives a program, coordinators are advised to select children who have been identified as demonstrating a range of the characteristics of giftedness or talent. These characteristics will not necessarily be reflected in school performance since it is well known that many gifted children underachieve in the regular classroom. As well, teachers are asked to consider the subject content of the program, ensuring that it is well suited to the child selected. If a child has a passion for, and ability in maths, it may not be appropriate for her to be enrolled in a writing program. Children who have ability or potential across the curriculum would benefit from attending a range of different programs.
It is G.A.T.E.WAYS belief that children should be selected on a needs basis for programs rather than on a ‘turns’ basis. The greater the need for challenge the more opportunity for attendance should be offered. There is no limit to how many times a child can attend programs. If a school has a large cohort of highly able children it may not be possible for an individual child to attend all programs offered.
My child is at risk of anaphylaxis. Can she attend your programs?
G.A.T.E.WAYS complies with Ministerial Order 90 Anaphylaxis- Anaphylaxis Management in Schools. All presenters and supervising staff have training in anaphylaxis management. Children at risk of anaphylaxis are permitted to attend providing an up to date Action Plan signed by a doctor is provided to G.A.T.E.WAYS before the commencement of a program. A child must bring an in-date EpiPen or Anapen to the program.
My child is gifted but has further special needs. Can he attend your programs?
It is possible for a child with additional special needs to attend a G.A.T.E.WAYS program. Before a teacher or parent enrols a child in a program, it is desirable that G.A.T.E.WAYS is contacted to discuss the individual needs of the child.
Why are G.A.T.E.WAYS programs so expensive?
G.A.T.E.WAYS is an independent educational organisation that receives no funding from state or federal governments, and no private funding. Program fees provide the only operational income. Ten percent of these fees are remitted to the government as GST. A single day at a host school costs approximately $14.50 an hour, whilst an extended 10 hour program at a host school costs $19.50 an hour. These hourly rates compare favourably with the fees of other extra- curricular activities. G.A.T.E.WAYS is mindful of the need to keep fees affordable for parents.
Does G.A.T.E.WAYS offer reduced fees in any circumstances?
G.A.T.E.WAYS is unable to offer reduced fees. Some schools subsidise children to attend programs. Parents should check with the school principal.
How will my child benefit from attending a G.A.T.E.WAYS program?
Over 20 years, G.A.T.E.WAYS has developed expertise in catering for the special educational needs of gifted children. Children who require extra challenge beyond the regular classroom have an opportunity to work with a cohort of other gifted children from a range of schools who are interested in the same sorts of things as they are. Programs are run at a faster pace and at a higher level than is often possible in their own classroom. The emphasis is on activity-based learning, higher order thinking, critical and creative problem solving and other recommended practice for gifted learners. G.A.T.E.WAYS aims to ignite and maintain that ‘spark’, that love of learning, which can be lost when a child is not sufficiently challenged. Parents often report that a G.A.T.E.WAYS program gives their child something to look forward to, and many children attend programs regularly throughout their primary school years.
Regular classwork is often completed with little effort by a highly able or gifted child. The child learns to expect that she will achieve perfect results with few or no mistakes, and that she has a rightful place at the top of the class. Attendance at a G.A.T.E.WAYS program gives a child a more realistic view of their own abilities. The child is taken out of her comfort zone and can observe that there are children as smart, or even smarter than she is. She has the opportunity to discover that learning something new at an appropriate level does require effort, and that valuable learning follows the making of mistakes. It is important that children learn these lessons before they get to the upper levels of secondary school.
Does G.A.T.E.WAYS provide any feedback about my child following the program?
It is not possible for presenters to give valid formal written or verbal feedback for single day programs. Presenters have a child for between ninety minutes and two and a half hours. Over the course of the day the presenter may have taught sixty children.In this instance, the best indication of how your child went can be gauged from his/her response to the day. It is very common for a child to be bubbling over with enthusiasm at pick up time, and for him to want to chat all the way home about what he did and what he learned from the program. He might talk about different aspects of the program for days after. All this is an indication that your child went well and was excited and challenged. Children attending a single day Eureka workshop will bring home a workbook containing some aspects of what was covered in the three workshops.
Children who attend the extended Journeys programs will receive a report following the program, and will also complete a self- evaluation.
Brainwaves Club members do not receive formal written reports, but parents are welcome to discuss their child’s progress with the club leader.
Occasionally it may be necessary for G.A.T.E.WAYS to contact a child’s school and/or parent if there are concerns about a child’s suitability for a program, the child’s progress in an extended program or behaviour.
On occasion program selection may be inappropriate for a given child. If a child says he is bored by a G.A.T.E.WAYS program, it is likely that the program is too challenging rather than too easy. Students must be selected carefully for a G.A.T.E.WAYS program.
Can I get a refund if my child doesn’t attend a G.A.T.E.WAYS program?
Please refer to Terms and Conditions.
My child’s school has some provision for gifted children. Is there any benefit to her attending G.A.T.EWAYS?
Many schools with gifted provision send children to G.A.T.E.WAYS. G.A.T.E.WAYS programs go beyond the regular curriculum and presenters commonly have specific expertise that a classroom teacher does not have. Thus G.A.T.E.WAYS can complement and extend what a child is already doing at school.
Can G.A.T.E.WAYS recommend a school for my gifted child?
G.A.T.E.WAYS is not familiar enough with an individual school’s programming for gifted children to make such recommendations.
Does my child have to wear school uniform at G.A.T.E.WAYS?
The only program where children are required to wear school uniform is the team-based competition, the G.A.T.E.WAYS Challenge. Children can wear free dress to all other programs.
Some schools require attendees to wear their school uniform, so parents are advised to check with the school coordinator.