The 2023 Gifted Awareness Week theme, 'The Diverse Faces of Giftedness', seeks to highlight the breadth of our gifted tribe. Gifted individuals range from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and include socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic diversity as well as those with a disability and many whose giftedness remains masked.
During Week 6 we got to witness the amazing diverse faces and natural abilities of our students in action. From Rubik's cubes that were solved in 16seconds to a House Wall Sit challenge that lasted for close to 3mins, our students shared their amazing sensory, creative, physical, academic and social natural abilities.
Our Year 12 students celebrated their Extended Essay submission, surrounded by their QAHS friends and teachers; a moment of pride and reflection as students rang the now infamous EE bell in the library!
We were also treated to an assembly address and 'Jam session' Master Class by Dr Sam Vallen, and a thought-provoking lecture about the strengths and weaknesses of empathy by Dr Daniel Brennen.
The week culminated in our, now annual, wellbeing picnic, hosted by the wellbeing ambassadors in the Green Heart. The weather was spectacular for the picnic, allowing students to connect together, with shared lunch and good humour (jokes distributed by the wellbeing committee). During the picnic an impromptu 'Nutbush' dance tribute to the late Tina Turner, provided energy and positivity from staff and students. An uplifting way to finish our week, before exam block.
Tammie Gilbert
HOD Contemporary Learning and Teaching