Reaching for the Stars: High Ability and Giftedness - Malta

24/02/2025

🎉 Another Successful Workshop for Parents of Gifted Learners!

Last Friday, my colleague Erika Micallef and I had the pleasure of hosting a workshop for parents of highly able and gifted learners. This event was proudly supported by the Julian Pathfinder Foundation, who continue to do incredible work in creating opportunities for gifted students in Malta.

Held at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Qawra, the workshop focused on the socio-emotional needs of gifted and twice-exceptional learners. We explored key topics such as asynchronous development and overexcitabilities, shedding light on the unique challenges these children face.

It was both insightful and moving to hear parents share their experiences—many expressing frustration with an educational system that often falls short in addressing the academic and emotional needs of gifted learners. While being gifted may seem like a privilege, it also comes with isolation, underachievement, and disillusionment, especially when inclusion policies are not fully realized in practice.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and to the Julian Pathfinder Foundation for their ongoing dedication to supporting gifted education. Together, we can continue to advocate for meaningful change and ensure that all learners receive the support they deserve.

23/11/2024

Yesterday, myself and my colleague Erika Micallef had the privilege of hosting a wonderful group of parents and guardians for our workshop, 'Navigating the Journey: Supporting Your (Potentially) Gifted Child'. This set of workshops is being supported by Adrian and Nadia Spiteri of Julian's Pathfinder Foundation (JPF). A second workshop in this series will be organised on Friday 21st February at 4.30pm at RMHC in Qawra. Those who are interested to register can do so using the following link: https://lnkd.in/dAm8dA-7

This enriching session brought together individuals who are deeply committed to understanding and nurturing the unique needs, strengths, and abilities of their gifted and high-potential children. The workshop was a vibrant space where parents shared their experiences, challenges, and joys of raising children who may be cognitively advanced in one or more areas, but nevertheless not always understood or catered for adequately. Discussions delved into the complexities of navigating the local educational system, understanding their children’s distinct perspectives, and balancing the highs and lows of the parenting journey.

During the workshop, we guided participants through key topics related to giftedness, offering valuable insights, practical strategies, and encouragement to empower parents in their vital role. The collaborative atmosphere and shared stories created a supportive community of understanding and inspiration.

Thank you to all the parents who joined us and contributed to the success of this workshop. Your dedication to helping your children thrive is truly inspiring!
Together, we can continue to unlock the potential of gifted children and celebrate their contributions to our world. 💡✨

31/10/2024

We are pleased to announce that, in response to requests from parents, we are once again coming up with an initiative designed to support parents of gifted learners.

This workshop, supported by Julian's Pathfinder Foundation, is designed for parents, guardians, and anyone interested in understanding the unique experience of raising a gifted or high-potential child. Parenting children with exceptional abilities requires a distinctive approach that honours their unique ways of thinking, exploring, and engaging with the world. Together, we’ll explore what it means for a child to exhibit high potential, emerging talents, or giftedness and discuss effective strategies for supporting their growth both at home and in school.

In line with Julian's Pathfinder Foundation’s mission to support gifted children in realising their full potential, this workshop also emphasises empowering these children to find their own paths, where they can excel and make positive contributions to society.

The session will be led by two experts with a wealth of experience in gifted education. Rosienne, an academic lecturer in education and a warranted systemic family therapist, brings insights from her research and extensive work in teacher training on high-ability education. Erika, an educator offers a practical perspective on nurturing and supporting gifted learners, including her involvement in innovative projects like Julian's InventaLand, an initiative by Julian’s Pathfinder Foundation.

This workshop offers insights into recognizing and understanding giftedness, addressing the social and emotional needs of gifted children, and equipping parents with practical tools to help their children thrive.

You can register using the following link:
https://forms.gle/j3LL7D8VPapBsEBW7

14/10/2024

Workshops for Parents, Educators, School Leaders, and School-aged Children/ Adolescents on the 30th October and 1st November ... kindly read the information below for more details. Delivered by Dr Rosienne Camilleri & Dr Erika Galea.

Very excited to share with you PARENTS, EDUCATORS and LEADERS another set of workshops organised by myself and my colleague Dr Erika Galea of Educational Neuroscience Hub this time focused more on developing and nurturing learning potential through the strengthening of a set of foundational skills - EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS.
These mental processes help children and teens plan, organise, regulate emotions, and maintain motivation, ultimately boosting academic and life success. If you wish to learn more about this and/or also wish for your child/ teenager/ students to engage in hands-on activities that directly target the development of such skills, then these are the workshops for you!

Looking forward to seeing you and your children/ students!
Contact us:
[email protected] or
[email protected]

Kindly book your/ your child's place using the following google forms. Group rates available.

Wednesday 30th October @3.15pm
Educators and Leaders: https://forms.gle/EAEiMcAszwnM7jh56

Wednesday 30th October@ 5.30pm
Parents/Guardians: https://forms.gle/Qz8R7KsT7bCnf52g8

Friday 1st November @ 8.30am
Primary School Children: https://forms.gle/n8MKLXTzHJHwir2C8

Friday 1st November @ 11.00am
Middle/Secondary School Students: https://forms.gle/PyWqiReNupFchnpf8

17/08/2024

Four different workshops to choose from targeting different stakeholders: one for TEACHERS & EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS, one for PARENTS and two workshops for STUDENTS (upper primary & middle school) happening at STC Malta, Pembroke in September 2024. Delivered by Dr Erika Galea and Dr Rosienne Camilleri. See below for more information.

The focus of these workshops will be on developing a growth mindset and nurturing students' learning potential by understanding the link between cognition and emotion and developing emotion regulation. Check the following posters out. Further information is also available when you press the link to the google forms. Feel free to contact us should you have any queries.

Looking forward to seeing you!!

08/05/2024

Invitation for participation in an online questionnaire (10 to 15 minute) on TRANSITIONS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 1 in local schools.
ATTN: Heads of Schools, KG 2 educators and Year 1 teachers.

Questionnaire for HoS or Assistant Head responsible for early years: https://forms.gle/Mx1TURsruj2Ru1YL7

Questionnaire for KG2 Educators: https://forms.gle/6Cmuk3KPfKNnfW8UA

Questionnaire for Year1 Teachers: https://forms.gle/neHh7ma83vJhAkqT6

Together with my colleague, Prof Valerie Sollars, I am conducting a short survey focusing on policies, practices and perspectives regarding transitions from KG2 to Year 1.
Participation through an anonymous questionnaire is voluntary. The participation of the Head of School (or Assistant Head responsible for Early years), the KGEs working with KG2 (4-5 year old children) and the Year 1 teachers within your schools are all invited to participate. It would be appreciated if you would share the links with any colleagues who might be interested.
By completing the questionnaire which can be accessed through the links above, you are agreeing to your participation.

Thank you for taking time to share you experiences and views on transitions!

Dr Rosienne Camilleri
Dept of Early Childhood & Primary Education
Faculty of Educ, UM.

Starting school is experienced by children and their families as a major life transition. Many face this event with anxiety because of uncertainties. As academic members of the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education within the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta, we would li...

21/09/2023

In this article, an educator writes about the myths and misconceptionsthat the label 'gifted' carries with it.
"Labels sometimes cause inaccuracies. Just as the biggest middle schooler, the one who is taller than most seniors in high school, might also be the youngest in maturity, so are GATE (gifted & talented) kids assumed to have it all together. Some do. For others, however, their advantage can also be their challenge, and until we speak freely about our assumptions and compare them to the reality, we won’t be able to fully help GATE students achieve their potential."

A teacher's take on GATE kids.

21/09/2023

A good reminder ...

"Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical beings on earth, for what they believe is what they will become."
Quote: Brooke Hampton