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.
GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Entrance or officially known as the Western Australian Selective Schools Entrance Test (WASSET). 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. With the exam less than 4 months away 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 are offering our exceptional Advance Story Writing workshops taught by a fully qualified writer as well as Problem Solving workshops. We are also running several GATE Test preparation workshops during the holidays which run over two days and 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 from January 3rd. CONTACT US today to take advantage of our great programs.
Our Little Learners Group provides an early foundation for Literacy and Numeracy Skills.
As you are aware the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a current community concern. Whilst we are business as usual we are also taking considered action to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our people, students and families in light of this changing landscape. We are working through processes and our response to the situation as each day arises. At this point, we can see that some countries are implementing complete bans on public movement. Although we are hoping that this does not need to occur in our country, we do need to ensure that we have adequate procedures in place as well as taking additional steps to help sustain our students’ learning in tutoring sessions, should this occur. What measures we are taking? We continue to promote a healthy learning centre and encourage our team, students and families to adhere to normal hand-washing and hygiene practices. We are disinfecting our surface areas, desks, chairs etc regularly and in-between classes and individual sessions. We do have hand sanitiser available at our reception desk. However, the benefits of washing hands with soap and water are more effective. So we encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly, such as as: upon entry to our centre, before they eat, after they have used the bathroom and before they leave our centre. These are all measures as outlined by Australian Government COVID-19 Guidelines. Whilst we provide resources such as pencils, pens etc. We are now encouraging all students to come to their tuition sessions with their own pencil case which should include pencils, pens, coloured pencils, textas, pencil sharpeners, rulers etc. We will still have these resources available, however we can’t always control things such as students putting pens/pencils in their mouths. Additionally, we ask that should your child display signs and symptoms of any illness, that you keep your child at home. Where adequate notice has been provided, make-up sessions will be provided for those individuals affected either during the holidays or next term. Please also note that our already small groups will be reduced to only 4 to allow for social distancing. Our terms and conditions state that 24 hours notice is usually required for the above to occur. We are asking that, should your child be unable to attend tutoring due to illness, in these extraordinary times, that we receive at the latest, a message to Trish on: 0467288880 by 2pm AT THE LATEST. This will provide a sufficient amount of time for tutors to be contacted, and where possible, other students session times to be brought forward for the afternoon. In the event that limits on public movement are put into place, or where an individual needs to self isolate for 14 days, an alternate method of tutoring will be provided, where possible and applicable. Tutoring will then be offered and provided via ‘Zoom’, for those tutors that feel confident in the use of technology. I encourage that should the need arise, parents give the use of these sessions a go. These sessions will allow for learning to be sustained, during the circumstances, and will allow for skill development to be continued. These sessions will still go for the designated tutoring time, but may require students to access other remote technology sources such as online joint whiteboard programs, or google documents. Online tutoring sessions will only commence, should the need arise. How to access these sessions, and what is required for these sessions will be forwarded out to parents in the event that alternative arrangements for tutoring needs to occur. The above is not to create panic at all, but is simply to inform you about what we are proposing to do, should the government decide that all public movement needs to cease for a period of time. Should you have any questions, concerns or worries, please let us know .
Dyslexia means the way that a student’s brain processes information is different. They may experience difficulties with reading, vocabulary and comprehension tasks. This is a processing difficulty, (the same as some people need glasses) not a lack of intelligence. Lesser known is that because their beautiful brains think differently, they often also have very distinctive talents.
Ways in which to prepare students to sit the GATE test Perth. How you can give your child the best in preparation.
At Intuition your child will be well prepared for the 2020 West Australian Selective Schools Test (GATE). Don't hesitate to enrol your child today and make them stand out.
