Absolutely a VCI of 144 is plenty high enough!

I would think that in SA that qualifies him for a Gifted NEP. (There may be no special funding, but they are still required to provide certain things) My son was formally approved for a Gifted NEP with a Verbal IQ at the 99.8th percentile on the WPPSI, & the Dept. psych only administered 1 subtest on the Performance scale as the Verbal was enough.