Learning With Us
Our Curriculum
Years 9-10
All Year 9 and 10 students follow a broad curriculum with all students doing courses in the core subjects of Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Education and Health, and Te Reo Māori.
Additionally, Year 9 students have the opportunity to try a number of one-term ‘modules’ before they start subject selection in Year 10.
Year 10 students select four half-year ‘option’ subjects, mainly from the Technology and Arts areas.
Year 9 and 10 students also work towards their ‘Junior Certificate of Achievement’ (JCA) each year. The JCA motivates and challenges students to achieve their best and demonstrate the school values in their learning. Successful completion of JCA results in them being awarded a JCA badge at the end of the year.
Years 11-13
Most students in Years 11-13 are working towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement, or NCEA. This is our national qualification and is awarded at three levels – Level One (roughly corresponding to Year 11), Level Two and Level Three. In Year 13, some students will also be working towards University Entrance if university is their pathway.
Year 11 English and Mathematics are compulsory courses, and Science is strongly recommended. Students then choose 3-4 other subjects, making a total of six.
Before being awarded NCEA at any level, students need to meet minimum literacy and numeracy requirements.
Distance Learning
Sometimes, a course cannot be offered at the college. In these cases, we are committed to ‘no limits’ from our vision and actively explore other options for students wishing to take such a course. These options include:
- Video conferencing (VC) – we are part of a network of schools enabling students to enrol in online courses with teachers based elsewhere in the country. In recent years, students have successfully taken courses in Samoan, French, Psychology, Geography and Spanish through VC.
- Correspondence courses – occasionally, courses offered through Te Kura (Correspondence School) or other institutions are more suitable, so students enrol in these.
Distance learning courses do not suit everyone, so before taking up these options, we make sure that this is an appropriate solution.
