GATE

"Gifted and Talented students at PMPS are those with exceptional potential or talent to perform above their peers in one or more areas"

Students who display special abilities are provided for within the classroom programmes through differentiated learning. This is achieved by focusing on individual needs and different ways of learning and creating a variety of opportunities for students to self direct and self manage their own learning.

Thinking Skills Programme:
	All students are able to think, but knowing how to select and use specific thinking strategies to problem solve, make decisions and foster creativity requires a deliberate and structured thinking skills programme. Thinking is a key competency which underpins everything we do and teaches students to be reflective, life long learners.
External Academic competitions:
	In Years 4-6, students can take part in the ICAS exams. These are run by the University of New South Wales. Students from New Zealand, Australia and Asia compete in external exams in writing, spelling, mathematics, science and computer skills. Students may participate in one or several of the exams.
P.E. Specialisation:
	Students have the opportunity to be taught by our P.E. specialist. The P.E. specialist takes whole classes for weekly 45 minute sessions and takes gifted and talented sports groups as well. We have many sports teams which participate in the local interschool competitions and field days
Mandarin Lessons:
	Students in years 1-6 who wish to learn Mandarin can opt for lessons after school on a weekly basis. These lessons are run by one of our Pigeon Mountain parents.
Speeches:
	Each year, students from Years 3-6 participate in school speech competitions. Year 3 & 4 present a 1 minute hobby talk and Year 5 and 6 present a 3 minute speech on their chosen topic. The Year 6 students also compete to represent the school at the interschool speech competition.
Performing Arts:
	Students are encouraged to join our choir and dance groups. Our Year 5 & 6 students audition for the choir and participate in the local school choir festival. We have 2 dance groups, Year 2 and Year 6. They represent the school in the local dance festival.
Maclean's Music Lessons and Guitar lessons:
	Students have the opportunity to be taught by a music specialist who comes into the school on a weekly basis. There are small group lessons for instrumental teaching and a small band where the students practise together to improve their ensemble playing.
Environmental Education:
	Students have many opportunities to get involved in environmental education. We have gardening groups, worm farms, an orchard, vegetable garden and composting.