CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

 
 
The top scholar in New Zealand in the Science Scholarship examination in 2009 was Deirdre Anderson, a Year 13 student and boarder at this College. 
 
In the photo, Deirdre is recognised for her achievement by His Excellency the Governor General, The Right Honourable Anand Satyanand and the Minister of Education, Anne Tolley.
 
In this section we provide the information necessary to select the subjects you wish to study. In each year of study there both core and options subjects available. Generally as you progress through your education you have more 'optional subjects' available to you so you can make more choices. 
 
The School Curriculum is made up of ‘essential’ learning areas, and ‘optional’ learning areas.
 

Learning Areas

Core / Essential Subjects

These are the eight essential learning areas:
  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Languages
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Technology
  • Arts
Note: English is compulsory to year 12.

Optional Subjects

These include interesting and complementary topics such as: graphics, performance music or art, textiles and design, sports and outdoor education, food and nutrition, media studies, history, business studies and many more.
You can find out which options are available in each year of study by downloading the Curriculum Handbook from the Resources section on the right.
Note: Options courses can only be run where there are sufficient students.
 
Generally as you progress through your education you have more ‘options’ subjects available to you so you can make more choices. 

Year 9 Subjects

Bold type indicates a subject students have to take (Core). Other subjects are Options that students may choose to take.

Learning Area Year 9 Courses
Languages
  • English
  • English (ESL)
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Te Reo Māori
Mathematics
  • Mathematics
Science
  • Science
Social Sciences
  • Social Studies
  • Economics
Health & Physical Education
  • Physical Education
  • Health Education
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Outdoor Education
Technology
  • Computer Studies
  • Food and Biotechnolgoy
  • Graphics
  • Materials Technology Multi
  • Materials Technology Textiles
Arts
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Performance Music
Individual Learning Programmes
  • Literacy

 

Students may choose 4 option subjects at Year 9

This information is correct as at July 2011 for 2012 courses. Please also be aware that English proficiency and course entry criteria exists for all courses.

Year 10 Subjects

Bold type indicates a subject students have to take (Core). Other subjects are Options that students may choose to take.

Learning Area Year 10 Courses
Languages
  • English
  • English (ESL)
  • French
  • German
  • Te Reo Māori
Mathematics
  • Mathematics
Science
  • Science
Social Sciences
  • Social Studies
  • Economics and Accounting (half-year)
  • Enterprise Studies (half-year)
  • Geography (half-year)
  • History (half-year)
  • Media Studies
Health & Physical Education
  • Physical Education
  • Health Education
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Outdoor Education (half-year)
Technology
  • Digital Technologies
  • Digital Technolgoies (half-year)
  • Graphics
  • Materials Technology Multi (half year)
  • Materials Technology Textiles
Arts
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
Individual Learning Programmes
  • Literacy

 

Students may choose3 or 4 option subjects at Year 10

This information is correct as at July 2011 for 2012 courses. Please also be aware that English proficiency and course entry criteria exists for all courses.

Year 11 Subjects

Bold type indicates a subject students have to take (Core). Other subjects are Options that students may choose to take.

Learning Area Year 11 Courses
Languages
  • Communication English or
  • English
  • English (Second Language ESL)
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Te Reo Māori
Mathematics
  • Mathematics or
  • Mathematics with Unit Standards
Science
  • Science or
  • Achieve Science
  • Biological Science
  • Physical Science
Social Sciences
  • Access to Achieve
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Equip
  • Geography
  • History
Health & Physical Education
  • Food and Life Studies
  • Health Studies
  • Outdoor Recreation Stage 1
  • Physical Education
  • Sport and Recreation (half-year or full year)
Technology
  • Digital Technolgoies
  • Design Technology (Wood) [NC]
  • Design Technology (Metal) [NC]
  • Graphics
  • Materials Technology Multi (half-year)
  • Materials Technology Textiles
  • Practical Computing (half-year)
  • Practical Textiles (half-year
  • Mechanical Engineering [NC]
Arts
  • Art
  • Art (half-year)
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Photography (half-year)
Individual Learning Programmes
  • SPEC Youth Award Scheme *
  • Gateway - earning NCEA credits in the workforce
  • Work Experience *

[NC] - denotes Nelson College subject

*  At the discretion of the Dean, Careers Adviser or HOD Learning Support

Students may choose 6 subjects at Year 11

This information is correct as at July 2011 for 2012 courses. Please also be aware that English proficiency and course entry criteria exists for all courses.

All senior courses offer credits towards National Certificates.

 

Year 12 Subjects

Bold type indicates a subject students have to take (Core). Other subjects are Options that students may choose to take.

Learning Area Year 12 Courses
Languages
  • Communication English or
  • English or
  • Te Reo Māori
  • English for Academic Purposes (ESL)
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese [NC]
Mathematics
  • Mathematics
Science
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Human Biology (half-year)
  • Physics
  • Science
Social Sciences
  • Access to Achieve
  • Accounting
  • Business Studies
  • Classical Studies
  • Economics
  • Equip
  • Geography
  • History
  • Legal Studies 1 & 2 (half-year)
  • Media Studies
  • Tourism
Health & Physical Education
  • Child Care and Development 1 & 2 (half-year)
  • Fish and Game Resource [NC]
  • Food and Hospitality
  • Outdoor Recreation Stage 1
  • Physical Education
Technology
  • Digital Technologies
  • Graphics
  • BConstructive Find Wood  (Wood) [NC]
  • Materials Technology - Textiles
Arts
  • Art Design
  • Drama
  • History of Art
  • Māori Performing Arts [NC]
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Practical Art
Individual Learning Programmes
  • SPEC:  Youth Award Scheme *
  • Gateway
  • Work Experience *

[NC] denotes a Nelson College subject.
*At the discretion of the Dean, Careers Adviser or HOD Learning Support

Gateway - opportunity to earn NCEA credits in the workforce

Students may choose 6 subjects at Year 12

This information is correct as a October 2009. Please also be aware that English proficiency and course entry criteria exists for all courses.

All senior courses offer credits towards National Certificates.

Year 13 Subjects

Bold type indicates a subject students have to take (Core). Other subjects are Options that students may choose to take.

Learning Area Year 13 Courses
Languages
  • English*
  • English for University Entrance
  • French*
  • German*
  • Japanese* [NC]*
  • Te Reo Māori*
Mathematics
  • Calculus*
  • Statistics and Modelling*
Science
  • Biology*
  • Chemistry*
  • Physics*
  • Science*
Social Sciences
  • Access to Achieve
  • Accounting [NC]*
  • Business Studies
  • Classical Studies*
  • Economics*
  • Geography*
  • History*
  • Legal Studies
  • Media Studies*
  • Tourism
Health & Physical Education
  • Child Care and Development 1 & 2 (half-year)
  • Food and Hospitality
  • Outdoor Recreation Stage 2
  • Physical Education*
Technology
  • Digital Technologies*
  • Graphics*
  • Materials Technology - Textiles*
Arts
  • Design (Practical Art)*
  • Drama*
  • History of Art*
  • Music Studies*
  • Painting (Practical Art)*
  • Practical Music
  • Photography (Practical Art)*
  • Printmaking (Practical Art)*
  • Sculpture (Practical Art)*
Individual Learning Programmes - available at the discretion of the Dean, Careers Adviser or HOD Learning Support
  • SPEC:  Youth Award Scheme
  • Gateway
  • Work Experience

[NC] denotes a Nelson College subject.

Gateway - opportunity to earn NCEA credits in the workforce

*  Approved University Entrance subjects

Students may choose 5 subjects at Year 13

This information is correct as at July 2011 for 2012 subjects. Please also be aware that English proficiency and course entry criteria exists for all courses.

All senior courses offer credits towards National Certificates.

How to Get Started

  • Start by reviewing the Curriculum section online here to get an overview. Click on Years 9 through 13 above to review the subjects available for each year.
  • Read the Curriculum Handbook. Download the Curriculum Handbook from the resources section in the lower right section of this page
  • Talk to us. Phone the College and tell us what year of study you require planning assistance with. Contact details.
  • Meet with us. We are happy to go over the Curriculum in person and discuss any questions or concerns.

Learning Support

We recognize that often students require extra assistance to progress and so there are many different support options available. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss any learning difficulties with us so we can work on an effective support system to help. These are some of the support strategies we employ.
  • Individual testing. Upon entrance, the College closely evaluates information and records provided by previous schools. Parents can request testing if they feel the student has difficulties in a particular area, which need to be addressed. Such tests can also be requested once the year is underway.
  • Small group programmes Sometimes smaller groups enable more focus and appraisal of specific issues.
  • Literacy programmes ensure basic literacy skills are improved.
  • Extension classes
  • The Learning Support Centre
    • Supports students with their school work.
    • Provides a life skills programme through the SPEC Youth Award Scheme encouraging students in self-management, communication, social skills, problem solving, work and study skills.
    • Supports social skills through, for example, using dogs with the Animal Assistant Learning Programme.
 
If you need more help with any of the following areas please make contact.

DUX 2011

Georgia Thomson-Laing

Georgia is attending Otago University in 2012 to study for a Bachelor of Science degree and hopes to major in Zoology.
 
 
SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS 2010
16 students passed Scholarship in a range of subjects with one student attaining Outstanding in Science.
 
NCEA
28 Year 11 students received an Excellence Endorsement
22 Year 12 students received an Excellence Endorsement 

Fees

Go to the Fees Section to see subject fees and NCEA fees. 

Resources

Click to access:
RESOURCES FORMAT SIZE
ERO Summary 2009 pdf  
ERO Full Report 2009 Web Page N/A
Performance Graphs Web Page N/A
2012 Yr 9 Subject Information brochure PDF 96 KB
2012 Curriculum Handbook Yrs 10 - 13 PDF 702 KB