Gifted and Talented

Gifted and talented students at WSC-NPoW are encouraged to apply for the many scholarships and opportunities offered by external providers throughout the school year. These opportunities are an excellent way of broadening horizons, meeting like minds and being further challenged in the areas in which these students excel. Congratulations to Alexander Barnes, a Year 13 student at WSC-NPoW who was one of six New Zealand students selected by Royal Society Te Apārangi to attend the Harry Messel International Science School (ISS) based at the University of Sydney.

Debbie Woodhall, project coordinator at Royal Society Te Apārangi explained that “ISS gathers together 140 top science students from Australia and overseas (China, Japan, India, New Zealand, Thailand, the USA and the UK) for a two-week residential program of talks by world-renowned scientists, laboratory tours and hands-on activities… not to mention a swag of social events like the Sydney Harbour cruise and ISS talent quest! Many students throughout the country applied for both of these opportunities and were selected not only because they are achieving very highly in science academically but are also contributing to their school community in other ways such as leadership and mentoring roles”.

Andrew Cleland, Chief Executive at Royal Society Te Apārangi says: “Not only is this a great opportunity for talented young New Zealanders to interact with experts at the top of their fields in science, but it is also an occasion for students to meet other like-minded students”.

The Talented School Students Travel Award, administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, funded 60% of Alexander’s travel and registration costs.  This fund supports passionate science students who have been selected to attend international science or technology events.