What is GATE?

GATE (Gifted and Talented Enrichment) at WCI can be for

anyone interested. 

It is for those who wish to seek enriching opportunities

in a variety of ways. It is based

on ELOPE - Extended Learning Opportunities Through Progressive Enrichment.  This is a TVDSB-wide program.   It is a like minded group for students, who meet weekly or monthly for various activities.  All students are welcome, however, members are typically highly academically successful, highly motivated and looking for ways to be enriched or challenged.  Students, along with staff advisors, help to plan workshops, discussions, field trips or guest speakers that are of interest.  These opportunities are mostly at lunch, but can also include school time.  Students in this group have been nominated by teachers, however, all who are interested are encouraged to come to meetings or activities.  Once students have a firm footing at WCI, we will also be exploring other types of enrichment opportunities, such as AP (Advanced Placement) and Curriculum Compacting/Self Directed Learning opportunities.

 

What sort of activities are offered?

 

Examples of opportunities have included:

• Regular Enrichment Club meetings

• Weekly curriculum compacting meeting with students

• Regular AP tutorials 

• Gourmet Feast 

• Mental Health workshop run by a school nurse – students plan to continue working on mental health issues in this group.  It was discovered that many students suffered loss this past year and are struggling on how to cope.  We plan on doing yoga and starting a youth group in the spring.  This group will also involve students/teachers from other areas

• Art committee formed by co-op student who participates in enrichment.  This group will meet once a month and involve other schools.  The local art gallery has agreed to help in this endeavour 

• Met with Robotics club and have a gifted student greatly involved in the research and construction of robotics

• Weekly knitting group (learned to knit baby hats for newborns at the local hospital/midwives) 

• Gingerbread Decorating run by community member

• Power of Introversion Workshop 

• Book Club run by IDC student 

• Debate on born criminals

• Ontario Science Centre and Way To Glow Workshop (Jellyfish lab)

• Niagara Falls

• Ivey School of Business - attended a first year lecture

• Forensics - Woodstock Police Station

• Yoga and meditation

• Zentangle

• Cupcake Decorating 101

• Brescia College Tour and Leadership Lectures

• Spark Conferences:

• Kings College - Day of lectures on different topics

• Critical Thinking in the "Ologies" - Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Political Science, and Leadership studies

• Representation of Crime and Literature

• Engineering Spark - with the Professional Engineers of Ontario

• Earth Sciences Spark at UWO

• Art of Sound with a professional DJ

• Casa Loma and Ghost Tours

• Grow Wild Workshop

• Nature Hike and market trip to London

• Smoothie Workshop

• Book Club and Author Talk

• UWO and the WISE Program

• IDC 30/40 or 4U Courses available in 2014

• Curriculum Compacting

• AP Courses

 

 

What is Advanced Placement?

Advanced Placement is an international program which allows students to prepare for a university exam (written in May) in an area of interest which may earn them a university credit.  This past few years, the three Woodstock secondary schools participated in the AP program.  Currently at WCI we offer AP and Enrichment in English.  If students are interested in other subject areas, they are welcome to participate in a self-directed type setting.  See here for more examples.

 

What is Curriculum Compacting:

• Are you gifted, bright and/or talented?

• Would you like a deeper/enriched experience in one of your classes?

• Do you work well independently and think self-directed learning would be interesting?

• If you answered yes to these questions, ask Ms Marano or Ms Moir about curriculum compacting and/or self directed learning.  See here for more examples.

 

 

WCI also offers several other opportunities:

-Student Council -  This group meets on a weekly basis as well as being integrated into a class in first semester.  The group consists of a Community Group, Spirit Group and Student Athletic Group.  Students help run dances, fundraisers, assemblies etc. 

- Me to We Group

- Reach Ahead

- French Immersion Program for all grades

- Musical Theatre Program that culminates in a major musical production; students can be enrolled in the Music Theatre/on-stage aspect or through the      production aspect of the program

- Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture

- Specialist High Skills Major in Sports

- Dual Credit

- there are many opportunities for Math Enrichment through the various provincial and federal math contests as well as in the Bright and Talented Group

- Yearbook Committee

- Computer Club

- there is both a Junior and Senior Reach for the Top extra-curricular team

- Cooperative Education

- Leadership Program 

- Knitting Club

- Chess Club

- Awesome Club

- Art Club

- Improv Club

- Robotics Club

- Math Club