The Importance of Wide-Ranging Interests

Michael Buckingham Gray • February 28, 2024

The Importance of Wide-Ranging Interests

I recently ran a short course on Reading Comprehension and Communicating Ideas in Writing for the Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET). During the break, I overheard students talking about how much they hated reading and writing, and how much they preferred maths and science instead. This worried me because these students were discounting two of the four components required to do well in the ASET. And it also concerned me for reasons beyond the test.

History shows, for instance, that many significant individuals have demonstrated curiosity in BOTH the arts and sciences. Obvious examples include Aristotle and Leonardo Da Vinci, who made significant contributions to the two fields. But besides them, it is also worth noting Arts titans like Mark Twain who had an interest in electricity, so much so that he struck up a relationship with Nicolas Tesla and was a regular visitor to his lab. Prominent scientists too have shown an interest in the arts. Robert Oppenheimer was well known for quoting poetry while working on a project to split the atom.

So, to conclude, I would encourage all students and parents not to discount one area of study for another. Many significant individuals have demonstrated curiosity in BOTH the arts and sciences. Wide-ranging interests demonstrate a curious mind and those individuals who will make the next significant contribution to society.

A black and white pencil is broken in half

Great Writing

By Michael Buckingham Gray • January 21, 2025
Opposites

Gold Star Curiousity

By Michael Buckingham Gray • December 15, 2024
Rewarding the Courage to Explore

Chatbots and Narratives

By Michael Buckingham Gray • September 3, 2024
Creative Writers Still Needed

The Serious Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Young People

By Trish Baran • August 24, 2024
Why We Need To Sleep

The Importance of Raising Curious and Worldly Children

By Trish Baran • August 24, 2024
The Power of Curiosity
A young boy is sitting in a chair holding a pencil.

Clever Students

By Michael Buckingham Gray • July 17, 2024
By adopting some of the strategies of clever students, one can also improve reading comprehension marks.
Who are the best educators for your children? Research your tutor.

Research Your Tutor

By Intuition Educational Support • May 25, 2024
Choosing the right tutor for your child can be challenging due to the industry's lack of regulation. This blog post provides essential tips for parents, emphasizing the importance of selecting tutors from reputable tutoring centres. It highlights key factors to consider, such as a tutor's qualifications, accreditation from the Australian Tutoring Association (ATA), and industry experience. The post also addresses budget concerns and offers practical advice for ensuring your child receives effective tutoring support.
A herd of sheep standing in a barn looking at the camera.

Cultivating Curiosity: The Path to Academic Success and Personal Growth

By Intuition Educational Support • May 25, 2024
Preparing for high school and scholarship tests can feel like navigating a maze of stress and expectations, especially for students stepping into the high-stakes arena for the first time. I vividly recall the pressure of those moments from my journey as a student, sandwiched between my parents' lofty ambitions and my aspirations. The to-do list seemed endless: study diligently, seize every opportunity, broaden your reading horizons.
Practice makes perfect.

The Importance of Practice

By Intuition Educational Support • April 27, 2024
It is always interesting to meet a new class of creative writing students every year and ask them how many write between classes. Usually, a couple of students raise their hands. This response always astonishes me, for I cannot think of a single student who plays the piano and does not practice between classes.
GATE Test Perth

GATE Test Preparation

By Intuition Educational Support • March 13, 2024
GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Entrance or officially known as the Western Australian Selective Schools Entrance Test (WASET). Testing for Gifted and Talented Programs occurs in March each year. All applicants for Gifted and Talented Programs need to sit the Academic Selective Entrance Test and may also need to complete combined workshops; auditions; and interviews, depending on the programs they are applying for. Students sit a four part exam consisting of Reading Comprehension, Writing, Quantitative and Abstract Reasoning which can be the pathway for your child gaining a place in selective high school programmes. Obtaining a place in a selective school will give your child many opportunities for their future academic success. Your child will study with other like-minded students and be engaged in a specially designed curriculum. Additionally, they will enjoy a rich learning environment that is challenging and stimulating. Children can gain entry into either academic programmes, arts programmes or language programs. At Intuition Educational Support our team of expert tutors have designed programs that engage students and give them the tools necessary for achieving optimal results for the test. These tests differ greatly from regular school work. Questions that appear in the tests are more advanced than what students are currently learning at school and require clear professional guidance to prepare otherwise they may be at a disadvantage. Learning concepts and being familiar with the different types of questions that are likely to come up, as well as practising good test taking techniques will put your child in a much better position to gain entrance into their preferred school. By exposing students to the types of questions asked, as well as their structure we give our students the best possible chance of achieving high scores needed to gain a place in any of the selective schools. We offer programs leading up to the test that will focus on a specific part of the test as well as running weekly small group programs that also have a selective school entrance focus. We strongly recommend starting now, so that students are ready for the exam. More than 50% of students who attended our programs received high marks and were offered places in Selective Schools across Perth. In the January holidays we run several GATE Test preparation workshops which cover all four areas of the test as well as give students strategies on this type of test taking. We are also offering weekly small group preparation classes beginning in January. CONTACT US today to take advantage of our great programs.
More Posts