The High Performance Centre aims to develop students who are confident, independent learners who will be challenged rigorously. The programme at Shirley Boys embraces a holistic approach developing academic, creativity, problem-solving, sport and leadership aspects of boys’ education. At SBHS our definition of ‘gifted & talented’ relates to those students who have ‘exceptional or high-level abilities in one or more areas identified within our learning culture. These students possess or have the potential to go beyond the norms of their level. These students embrace the culture & responsive environment which they are surrounded by’. The definition is not fixed and is reviewed yearly to allow flexibility within cohorts & developmental pedagogy. 

Our practice & methodology is based upon knowledge of formal data, proven research in the specialist area of gifted education, identification procedures from feeder schools as well parental input. Our programme embraces key aspects of the ‘Shirley Man’ and facilitate the students to be highly motivated in their learning. The extension programme at SBHS offers a range of different approaches to allow our students to be ‘Better than Before’. These include:

• Acceleration – students have the opportunity to sit NCEA subjects early if appropriate to their stage of learning.

• Enrichment – students experience subjects which offer depth & breadth to the curriculum as well as opportunities to apply skills outside of the classroom.

• Differentiated curriculum – All curriculum areas offer challenging, thought-provoking topics & projects to fully extend the key competencies & skills vital to attain at the highest possible levels.

• Qualifications – SBHS offers a dual pathway of NCEA & Cambridge International Examinations at IGCSE level. Some Year 13 students have the optional of undertaking STAR courses at the University of Canterbury.

• Competition – Students have the chance to undertake a variety of academic competitions in order to apply their skills against other students regionally, nationally & internationally such as in ICAS examinations or Cantamath to name but a few.

• Individual Education Programmes (IEP) – All students in the extension programmes are placed on IEP’s to ensure that our provision is meeting their exact needs.

• Problem-Solving & creative thinking – Students participate in Future Problem Solving in order to develop flexible & imaginative solutions to critical problems.

• Study skills – All students in the extension programme from Year 9 onwards are provided with explicit guidance on study methods and are guided to understand their own learning style so that they can learn more effectively.

• Mentoring – Students in Year 12 & 13 extension programmes act as mentors to students in Y10 beginning their journeys into examination subjects whether it be NCEA or CIE. Positive role modelling & contributing to the SBHS student community are key aspects of the ‘Shirley Man’.

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL

Shirley Boys High School offers Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) at IGCSE level as part of our academic extension programme. Our rationale behind using this qualification pathway at IGCSE level is one of breadth, depth, challenge, rigour & crucial research skills across a subject area(s). This has been compounded with our data gathering which shows that boys that perform well at IGCSE (A*-C) go on to attain at the excellence level when they re-enter NCEA subjects at Level 2 and 3.  Currently SBHS offers IGCSE qualifications in the following subject areas:

• IGCSE English Literature – Y11 extension English

• IGCSE Maths – Y11 extension Maths

• IGCSE Physical Education – Y11 extension programme within Sport Development

• IGCSE Global Perspectives – Y10 extension Social Studies

SPORTS ACADEMY

The emphasis of the Sport Development programme is to provide an atmosphere within the school in which talented and committed students can pursue excellence in both sport & academic endeavours in a balanced and supportive environment.

The programme aims to develop the sporting abilities of our students across a multitude of sporting disciplines. The programme encompasses a high degree of technical coaching knowledge as well as instructional expertise in areas such as training, nutrition and sport psychology.

Academically, the programme delivers both NCEA PE standards in Years 10 & 11 as well as iGCSE Physical Education as a means of extension for selected Year 11 students. Both courses offer challenge and rigour to underpin both the practical and theoretical components of sport.

The programme has delivered success to the students selected to the course leading to notable performances both nationally and internationally. The programme not only works to support the success of school teams/competitions but works in conjunction with external coaches to support the students in the wider world of sport. Within the past year students supported by the programme have represented SBHS teams which have placed in the top 10 schools in NZ in volleyball, futsal, rowing as well as the successes in athletics, triathlon, freestyle skiing and boxing.

Selection onto the programme embraces a number of different aspects which include (but are not limited to) performance in chosen sporting discipline, results of fitness testing, results of e-learning testing, feedback from coaches and performance across all school subjects. The programme across all year levels has minimum standards in which students have to meet to maintain their place in the programme.

SCHOLARSHIPS

As well as our traditional Academic Scholarship which is awarded to the prospective student who scores the highest on our intake testing, for students starting in 2016 there is now the opportunity to gain the "Creative Shirley Music Scholarship" and the "Spartan Sport Junior Scholarship. The details of these can be found below.

Academic Scholarship

The C V Gallagher Scholarship examination for Year 8 students intending to enrol at Shirley BHS in 2016 is to be held in the SBHS Assembly Hall from 1-3pm on Thursday 9 June 2017. Please assemble in the Hall Foyer (in the main carpark off North Parade) by 12:50pm. The examination will end promptly at 3:00pm.

Candidates only need to bring blue or black pens/biros. No calculators are allowed.

The student who wins the Scholarship will earn $1,000 on his school account to defray 2016 expenses.

Music Scholarship

The Creative Shirley Music Scholarship made its inaugural award in 2016. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming Year 9 student who shows exceptional talent, ability and potential. The recipient of this scholarship will be expected to make a significant commitment and contribution to the co-curricular aspects of musical performance at Shirley Boys High School.

The scholarship is available to a student who has instrumental ability and/or singing ability. The student will take Music as a timetabled option subject and will have a great passion for all aspects of musical performance. The scholarship will last for two years (Years 9 and 10).

All boys who are short-listed for consideration must audition. This will consist of a musical performance consisting of two pieces and a discussion over musical direction with key members of the Creative Shirley committee. The audition will last 15 minutes in duration. All short-listed students will be notified one week before audition.

The Creative Shirley Music Scholarship will contribute to the associated musical fees attached to a student’s creative endeavours up to $750.00 per year. The student who gains this scholarship will be embraced by great passion, expertise & enthusiasm in all aspects of his education.

Applications for the Creative Shirley Musical Scholarship close at 3pm on Friday 1st April 2016.

Auditions will be held at various times throughout the day on Tuesday 12th April 2016.

All decisions made upon the award of this scholarship will be made unanimously by the Head of Music, Ms Kate Hays, the Head of High Performance, Mr Chris Needle, and associated members of the Creative Shirley committee.

Sports Scholarship

The Spartan Sport Junior Scholarship makes its inaugural award in 2016. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming Year 9 student or current SBHS Year 10 student (who must be in the Sport Development programme) who shows exceptional talent, ability & potential. The recipient of this scholarship will be expected to make a significant commitment & contribution to the co-curricular aspects of sporting representation at Shirley Boys High School.

The scholarship is available to a student who has significant ability across a multitude of sports. The scholarship will last for 1 year & the recipient expected to maintain standards of fitness & academic performance as expected in line with the Sport Development programme.

All boys short-listed will be invited to SBHS to under-go a day of fitness testing, generic sporting assessment & short interview. The short-listed students will be considered by the Director of Sport Development, Head of High Performance & key members of the Spartan Sport committee. You will be notified one week before assessment day.

The Spartan Sport Junior Scholarship will contribute to the associated sporting fees attached to a student’s sporting endeavours up to $750. The student who gains this scholarship will be embraced by great passion, expertise & enthusiasm in all aspects of his education.

Applications for the Spartan Sport Junior Scholarship close at 3pm on Friday 1st April 2016. Assessment day will be held on Tuesday 12th April 2016 (you will be notified if this date changes).

All decisions made upon the award of this scholarship will be made unanimously by the Director of Sport Development – Mr Ian Johnson, the Head of High Performance – Mr Chris Needle & also by associated members of the Spartan Sport committee.