Academic Programmes & Enrolment

Programmes

As far as possible, the college provides courses and subjects to meet the needs and preferences of students and their parents. There are, however other factors which influence a student's choice of course and subjects. These include Ministry of Education regulations, external examination prescriptions, staffing, timetabling and the student's achievement and progress.

Year 7 & 8

Students in the intermediate years are based in classes with a Homeroom Teacher who covers the core curriculum areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.

All Year 7 and 8 students take Physical Education and Health with a specialist teacher plus eight specialist modules which rotate through the year.  See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 7 and 8.

Year 9

All students take the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science which are delivered through Integrated Studies (usually a team of two or three teachers). All Year 9 students take Physical Education and Health for the full year.

Students also choose six specialist options, which must include two subjects from each of three learning areas: Languages, The Arts and Technology. See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 9.

Year 10

All students take English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Physical Education and Health for the full year.

Students will also choose four optional courses which each run for half a year.  Some options are also offered as full year courses to maximise preparation for the Level 1 course the following year (but entry to the Level 1 course is not dependent on having completed the full year course in Year 10). See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 10.

Year 11

All students study six subjects leading towards NCEA Level 1. English, Mathematics or Numeracy, Science and Lifeskills are compulsory at this level.

Three other option subjects are chosen. See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 11.

Year 12

All students study six subjects leading towards NCEA Level 2.  English (Literature or English Communication) and Mathematics (Mathematics, Statistics, Modelling or Core Mathematics) are compulsory at this level.  If students are on the Pathways Programme then English and Mathematics are delivered through Pathways.

Four other optional subjects are selected. See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 12.

The subjects available in any one year will depend on demand, timetabling constraints and availability of staff.

Year 13

Students may study up to six subjects leading to NCEA Level 3. There are no compulsory subjects at this level. A combination of Level 2 and Level 3 subjects may be chosen. See the Curriculum Documents page for details of the specialist modules offered in Year 13.

The subjects available in any one year will depend on demand, timetabling constraints and availability of staff.

All Year 13 students are involved in the Students In The Community programme.

Pathways Programme

This is a two year programme which runs in Years 12 and 13 and is aimed at students who may not have achieved NCEA Level 1 in Year 11.  The goal is to achieve NCEA Level 2 or to have moved into employment or further training by the time the student leaves the college. Students follow an individual programme which is negotiated between them, their parents and the programme leaders.  

Outdoor Education

The college has an active outdoor education programme as part of the curriculum. This starts with camps at Year 7 to 10 levels:

In Year 7 students start the year with a kiwi-style camp in the Catlins. Numbers permitting, the whole year group go on camp together.

In Year 8 students have a week of outdoor activities at Berwick camp, near Dunedin.

In Year 9 students participate in outdoor activities week including a stay at Tititea Lodge in the Matukituki valley and experience rock-climbing, water based adventures, and an overnight tramp.

In Year 10 students are offered a variety of outdoor journeys to choose from, which may involve tramping, mountain biking, sea-kayaking, etc.  

In Years 11, 12 and 13 the college offers one of the leading Outdoor Education programmes in New Zealand which incorporates activities that make particular use of the Wanaka environment - bushcraft, snowsports, rock climbing, mountain-craft and water skills, with students gaining credit towards NCEA qualifications.  Hostel students also undertake an outdoor programme that runs every Sunday.

Sport

A variety of after-school sports are available, mainly through local clubs and utilising the excellent sports grounds / gymnasium / pool complex. In addition the college participates in two annual quadrangular sports tournaments.

Students In The Community

This programme enables senior students to undertake a full year course involving two hours service to the community each week (for more information, click here). Students work with people in the community who need help:

• The young
• The elderly
• The differently abled
• Others in need

Students in the Workplace

Local students may take part in a work experience programme designed to ease the transition from school into the workplace. The college has been running the Gateway programme successfully since 2007.

Distance Learning

A range of distance learning options are available for courses not available at the college. These include the Correspondence School, eLearning via Otagonet, and STAR courses through local polytechnics.

Trades Academy

Senior students also have the opportunity of completing trades qualifications through the Cromwell campus of Otago Polytechnic.  This programme runs every Friday and transport to Cromwell and the course is provided free.