Gifted a winning word in giant scrabble game

Eleven-year-old St Johns resident Sierra Naraghi-Keiper has high hopes that his team will win the Gifted Education Centre Giant Scrabble Competition being held at Mt Smart Stadium today.

The competition will see children facing off on a 16 square metre Scrabble board using one square metre tiles.

The competition is being run by the Gifted Education Centre – an organisation that gives classes for gifted children in 16 New Zealand primary schools.

Schoolchildren from around Auckland were invited to enter a competition last month that gave them a chance to play in today’s event.

The competition required students to choose a "tall poppy" who inspired them and then design a Scrabble tile based on that person.

Sierra, who attends St Thomas’ School four days a week and the centre’s One Day School based at Owairaka Primary every Tuesday, chose Sir Edmund Hillary as his favourite "tall poppy".

"His attitude was one of a kind," says Sierra.

"He aimed at the very highest and set a challenging goal. In my opinion he was a very honourable person and he has made a mark in New Zealand history."

Sierra was one of the six children chosen in the competition to design a giant Scrabble tile that will be used in today’s game.

Centre director Kathy Williams says the reason for asking the children to nominate a "tall poppy" was to show that high achievers are all around us and should be celebrated.

"Approximately 5 percent of children are gifted, but unfortunately in New Zealand the term gifted is wrongly perceived and holds negative connotations," she says.

Ms Williams adds that the Giant Scrabble Competition aims to celebrate the unique talents of all young people, and raise awareness of the special education needs of gifted children.

The Gifted Education Centre Giant Scrabble Competition will run from 4pm to 6.30pm at Mt Smart Stadium, entrance through Gate D, Beasley Ave, Penrose.

Ms Williams says all parents and children are welcome to come along for an afternoon of fun.

- © Fairfax NZ News