The Arts
We are a popular destination for visiting musicians. Our students are able to attend performances in Akaroa and Christchurch.
Visual Arts
Akaroa Area School excels in Visual Art. Teachers make use of local artists and craftspeople who are frequently involved in running workshops as part of the visual arts programme. A range of artistic models from around the world are studied with strong emphasis is placed on Maori and European art of New Zealand. An annual exhibition takes place at the Orion Powerhouse Gallery. The school has also previously exhibited at the COCA gallery in Christchurch.
Dance/Drama
Dance and drama are valuable areas of learning seen to be vital for the development of communication skills and self- confidence. Students are given the opportunity to participate in these areas through workshops,festivals and school-wide performances. Theatre Sports is a sport option and a team competes each year at the annual Canterbury Area Schools Sports and Cultural Festival. Akaroa Area School participates in annual events including Matariki, Parihaka Day and local cultural festivals.
Music
Music is valued and well supported in our community and our students respond by enjoying every opportunity they have to perform.
In addition to the classroom programme students are able to take individual lessons with an itinerant teacher of music offering piano, flute, clarinet and recorder. Guitar lessons are available through a privately arranged tutor.
Instrumental musicians and the choral group take part in performances throughout the year. Each year the school attends the Country High Schools’ Music Festival, the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival and our own local performances. Every alternate year the schools on Banks Peninsula combine for a Cultural Festival, a display of the singing, dancing and playing talent in our hometown.
English
English is the study, use and enjoyment of the English language and its literature, communicated orally, visually and in writing for a range of purposes and audiences and in a variety of text forms.
At each level in Akaroa Area School we teach language skills and strategies which enable our students to communicate effectively in all areas of English. We draw on a wide range of texts which address ideas and issues that challenge our students and address the values and principles outlined in the NZ Curriculum whilst seeking to develop their key competencies.
Literacy in English gives students access to the understanding, knowledge and skills they need to participate fully in the social, cultural, political and economic life of New Zealand and the wider world. To be successful participants, they need to be effective oral, written and visual communicators who are able to think critically and in depth.
Physical Health & Wellbeing
Students are encouraged to peer coach at all year levels to improve their own understanding of their physical development and improve their understanding of how to progress through the PE national curriculum.
Physical Education and health are taught as separate subjects at Akaroa Area School with dedicated staff in both subject areas. A minimum of two hours of practical PE lessons and one health lesson comprise this area. Within PHW students experience a range of team and individual sports including traditional team sports such as netball, basketball, football, touch and more alternative sports such as Ultimate frisbee and turbo touch. Individual sports include athletics, fitness studies and aquatics.
Cross-curricular links to Literacy (year 7), Numeracy (year 8), ICT (year 9) and leadership principles (year 10). Students are given a range of tasks in class and as extended learning opportunities to extend their global understanding of these subjects within the world of sport.
Languages
Akaroa Area School recognises and celebrates cultural diversity.
We provide a learning environment that encourages and promotes Tikanga Maori me Te Reo Maori (Maori culture and Maori language). La Culture Francaise et La Langue Francaise (French culture and language) is promoted and encouraged as it is significant to our community and cultural history. At Akaroa Area School all students from Years 1-10 are taught Maori and French.
Mathematics & Statistics
Mathematics and statistics teach students to develop the ability to think creatively, critically, strategically and logically.
They learn to structure and to organise, to carry out procedures flexibly and accurately, to process and communicate information, and to enjoy intellectual challenge.
Mathematics and statistics have a broad range of practical applications in everyday life, in other learning areas, and in workplaces. For these reasons all students learn mathematics to year 12 and some students will choose either calculus or statistics at year 13.
Within each year level, learning programmes are designed to meet the needs of individual students. Support is available for those students who find the work difficult and extension provided for those students needing more challenge. Students have the opportunity to challenge themselves mathematically by entering competitions such as ICAS mathematics and Cantamaths.
NCEA courses are designed to cater for the needs of students on a year to year basis.
Science
Science learning should start from what students know already.
The nature of science is how scientists work – at Akaroa students learn to think and behave like scientists. The other strands provide contexts through which students can develop their understanding about the nature of science.
The curriculum states that students need to see the relationship of their science learning to the world around them so they can see its relevance to their lives. In the unique environment of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula these real world contexts can give students opportunities to use their growing knowledge in meaningful ways.
Social Sciences
Social Sciences provide the context for students to explore their world and learn about the past, present and future.
It includes how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. Contexts are drawn from the past, present, and future and from places within and beyond New Zealand.
The new curriculum offers opportunities for teachers at Akaroa to tailor their social studies teaching around the needs and interests of the students
The Banks Peninsula area overflows with contexts for the teaching of the Social Sciences, with its geological origins, geographical features, rich historical tapestry and diverse and talented community. The opportunities to engage and enthuse students are endless as the history of our unique location has very real connections for teaching and learning.
Technology
Technology comprises of three strands; Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge, and the Nature of Technology.
All three strands are integrated into learning programmes, although not all units of work will necessarily include all three.
In the Junior Hub Technology is usually integrated topic where connections are often made when studying the way people live or have lived in the past. Exploring the use of tools and materials is often a feature of such a study as well as opportunities to explore technology through news and current affairs.
Learning Programmes are adapted to suit the interests and needs of our students with a focus on Textiles, Food Technology and Hard Materials Technology. As a Technology Training Centre Akaroa provides technology for the contributing schools. Little River and Okains Bay students follow a similar technology programme at Years 7 & 8. At senior school level the learning programmes include standards with a vocational focus: Hard Materials, following the BCITO programme and Unit Standards, Computing, using industry based Achievement Standards and Hospitality/Home Economics, using HSI Unit Standard resources and NZQA Achievement Standards
Sport
With our excellent sports facilities, we can offer a range of sports to our students
We participate in a number of regular events throughout the year. At the junior level this primarily includes competition with the other Banks Peninsula schools – Little River, Duvauchelle, and Okains Bay. Years 5 – 8 take part in the Lincoln Zone Winter Tournament.
Banks Peninsula Schools Events:
- Swimming
- Cross Country
- Winter Tournament,
- Athletics
- Kiwi Sports
The Senior students participate in Combined Country High Schools Tournaments. Annually the three day CASAFest (Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival) is hosted by one of the Canterbury Area Schools. In 2018 Akaroa Area School hosted this event.
Combined Country High Schools Tournaments:
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Athletics
- Outdoor Tournament
- Indoor Tournament
Students who perform at a high level may also qualify for regional, South Island or National Championship events. The New Zealand Area Schools National Tournament held in July holidays also provides an opportunity for our top athletes to qualify and compete in rugby, netball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, golf and ki-o-rahi.