Years 11-13
With our intimate knowledge of our students we are able to devise focused courses for each and every student that challenges them, enables them to gain success but also takes into consideration individual learning needs and abilities.
The courses offered to our seniors each year are a balance between staffing resources, student choices and student needs. It is at this time that our senior students need to make more definite decisions about their future career pathways and we as a school are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed decisions.
Our students perform extremely well in NCEA assessments and examinations with the encouragement and assistance of our teachers. In Years 11-13 students are guided through subject choices for learning programmes related to their interests and career preferences. Students begin the process of selecting their subjects in term 3 of the previous year in consultation with their teachers, the curriculum coordinator, careers advisor and parents, so it is very much a collaborative approach. This programme selection will continue right up until the beginning of the new school year as needs and demands change.
A key factor which contributes to the success of our students is the flexibility and individuality of our programmes. With our intimate knowledge of our students we are able to devise focused courses for each and every student that challenges them, enables them to gain success but also takes into consideration individual learning needs and abilities. As the year progresses teachers are constantly monitoring student progress and adjusting programmes in order to support the students in their learning.
Student subject choices in Year 11, but more particularly Year 12 and 13, are driven by student career pathways. Year 12 and 13 students also have the option of participating in an active Gateway programme which combines work experience with formal qualifications in a trade of the student’s choice.
Gateway
This is a Ministry funded initiative and allows our senior students an opportunity to gain experience and qualifications in an identified career field.
Students select an area of interest and in consultation with parents, student, Gateway co-ordinator and an external provider, a programme is devised. A Gateway course, which is comprised of a minimum of 20 credits, runs for a full year and for one day every week, the student works with a local provider to gain practical experience in that field.
Many of our students have gone on to secure employment or further training in their selected area of interest. Gateway programmes in the past have included; Carpentry, Hairdressing, Vet Nursing, Sports and Recreation, Early Childhood Education, Travel and Tourism, Chef, Nursing, Equine, Boat Masters, Mechanics, Farm Worker and Plumbing.
STAR
Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resourcing
Similar to the Gateway programmes, this is also a Ministry funded initiative but rather than a full year course, these are more designed as ‘taster’ courses for those students who have not quite decided on their career pathway but would like to gain some experience in different fields.
STAR courses run from 1 – 5 days and are a ‘one-off’. STAR courses in the past have included; Safety in the Workplace, First Aid, Sailing, Diving, Leadership Courses, Barrista, Customer Service, Sports Coaching and Height Safety.