Year 9 - Te Reo Māori Beginners  

First half year optional course 

In this half year course, students will learn Te Reo Māori, tikanga me ona kawa within a  Māori context, in many different situations.  Students will develop listening, speaking, writing and reading skills of Te Reo Māori and an understanding of Maori concepts.  Tauira will learn through Mihi, Whakapapa, Kura, Kainga, Marae, Te Ao Taiohi, and Whakawhanautanga. There are regular assessments on reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the end of each term.

Next steps: Te Reo Māori Advanced (9MAA) /Year 10 Māori (10MAO)

Course Overview: Begin your French-language journey and experience the excitement of communicating in a new language.
Students can choose a half-year beginner course or a full-year advanced course, allowing them to select the option that best suits their experience and learning goals. In the beginner course, you will build practical speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through engaging activities and real-life situations. You will learn how to greet others, use numbers and introduce yourself while communicating about your family, interests, likes and dislikes.
The full-year advanced course provides the opportunity to extend these skills, communicate with greater confidence and explore French language and culture in more depth. While developing your French language skills, you will also strengthen transferable skills such as memory, problem-solving, critical thinking and effective communication, which support learning across other subjects.  You may also have the exciting opportunity to travel to a French-speaking country, where you can put your language skills into practice and experience French language and culture first-hand.

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 Book 

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in French is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: You will demonstrate your learning through a range of creative and practical activities that develop all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Assessment opportunities may include performing role plays, participating in conversations and interactions, producing videos or podcasts, writing stories, and completing tasks inspired by everyday situations. 

Next Steps: The French language and communication skills developed in this course prepare students for 10 French (10FRE), a full-year course that builds greater fluency, cultural understanding, and confidence in communication. 

Course Overview: Learn about the culture that brought you anime, manga, sushi and kimono! In this course, students learn basic communication skills in Japanese. You learn to count, greet, farewell and describe your family and friends. You compare how the Japanese language and culture differ from New Zealand society. You can start your journey to watch anime without subtitles and read manga in the original Japanese! You also have the opportunity to choose to participate in an overseas trip to Japan soon.

Equipment/Stationery: 1J5 exercise book, HB pencils

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in Japanese is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: You have tasks showcasing your learning of grammar, vocab, writing skills, and speaking skills throughout the term. There are also assessments which showcase your reading, writing, and character calligraphy knowledge towards the end of each term.

Next Steps: Students can progress to Year 10 Japanese (10JPN), an optional full-year course designed to further advance language fluency, cultural understanding, and communicative confidence.

Course Overview: Ready to learn one of the world's most spoken languages? This fun, beginner-friendly course will have you speaking Mandarin from your very first lessons through games, music, videos, role-plays, and interactive activities. You'll learn how to greet people, introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and use Mandarin in everyday situations while building confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Discover the exciting world of Chinese food, festivals, traditions, and everyday life while gaining an insight into one of the world's oldest and richest cultures. Whether you enjoy learning new languages, want to challenge yourself, or dream of travelling one day, this course is a great way to start your Mandarin journey. This is a half-year course. 

Equipment/Stationery: 1H5 exercise book, 40-Page Display Book, pens, pencils, eraser and highlighters. Headphones or earbuds for listening, speaking, and online learning activities.

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in Mandarin is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: Assessment is practical, engaging, and designed to build your confidence. You'll demonstrate your learning through conversations, role-plays, creative video or podcast recordings, interactive activities, and real-life reading and writing tasks. Speaking assessments take place in a supportive, low-pressure environment, allowing you to practise, improve, and showcase your progress. 

Next Steps: Continue your Mandarin journey in Year 10 Mandarin (10MDR), where you'll build greater confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through fun, real-life communication. You'll explore Chinese language and culture in more depth while preparing for future NCEA Mandarin study. 

Course Overview: Ever wanted to talk to a friend, but they were outside, and there was a solid pane of glass between the two of you, and you did not want to shout? Then learn New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). This course is an introduction to NZSL, celebrating cultural diversity and improving communication with the deaf and hard of hearing community to enhance cognitive skills and career prospects. The course develops students’ ability to use sign language to communicate about themselves, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and family. The Sign Language course inherently fosters inclusivity, promotes better communication skills, and offers a fun and engaging way to learn a new language.

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 exercise book, HB pencils

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in NZSL is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: You have tasks showcasing your NZSL comprehension, your ability to interact with your classmates in NZSL, and your ability to produce a video expressing yourself in NZSL towards the end of each term.

Next Steps: NOT AVAILABLE

Course Overview: Build your confidence in English in a safe, supportive, and encouraging learning environment. This course is designed for English language learners who want to strengthen their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for school and everyday life. Through games, interactive activities, literacy practice, conversations, podcasts and video recordings, you'll develop your communication skills in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Explore books, songs, films, and real-world topics while building your grammar, vocabulary, and confidence to express your ideas clearly. 

Whether you're new to English or looking to improve your proficiency, this course will help you become a more confident and independent communicator. This is a full-year course. A half-year programme may be available for some students based on teacher recommendation and consultation with the Teacher in Charge of English Language Learners (ELL). 

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 exercise book, pens, pencils, eraser and highlighters. Headphones or earbuds for listening, speaking, and online learning activities.

Recommended Prior Learning: This course is suitable for students who are learning English as an additional language or who would like additional support to build their confidence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 

Assessment Information: A range of authentic assessments allows you to demonstrate your learning in meaningful ways. These may include conversations, podcasts or video recordings, literacy activities, and real-world reading and writing tasks. 

Next Steps: Students can progress to Year 10 English Proficiency Studies (10EPS), where they will continue to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while building confidence in using English for school and everyday life. 

10MAO - Te Reo Māori   

Full year option 

Students in Year 10 continue to develop their understanding of Whakawhanaungatanga, Tino Rangatiratanga, Wairua, Hinengaro, Tinana and Whanau through Te Reo Māori, tikanga me ona kawa and society through a Māori perspective. The Māori world is reflected in different contexts to develop skills of inquiry, critical thinking, communication, written, aural, oral, and comprehension of varied Te Reo Māori texts within a historical, present and future approach. Topics include Korero, Turangawaewae, Te Tiriti,  Marae, Te Ao Taiohi and Hitori.

Next Steps: Te Reo Māori 100 (MAO100)

Course Overview: Discover the French language, explore new cultures and build the confidence to communicate in a wide range of everyday situations.
In this course, you will strengthen your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills while developing a deeper understanding of how French works. By making useful connections between French and English, you will learn to communicate about daily life, experiences and future plans using present, past and future tenses. You will explore the rich and diverse French-speaking world through its history, education, food, traditions and cultures.  While developing your French language skills, you will also strengthen transferable skills such as memory, problem-solving, critical thinking and effective communication, which support learning across other subjects.  You may also have the exciting opportunity to travel to a French-speaking country, where you can put your language skills into practice and experience French language and culture first-hand.

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 Book

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in French is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: You will demonstrate your learning through a range of creative and practical activities that develop all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Assessment opportunities may include performing role plays, participating in conversations and interactions, producing videos or podcasts, writing stories, and completing tasks inspired by everyday situations. 

Next Steps: The French language and communication skills developed in this course prepare students for French 100 (FRE100), a full-year course that builds stronger intermediate language skills, confidence, and flexibility in communication. 

Course Overview: Unlock a language spoken by over a billion people and discover a whole new world of opportunities! Learn Mandarin through fun, interactive games, conversations, videos, role-plays, and real-life activities. You'll build the confidence to order food, make new friends, talk about your life, and communicate in everyday situations. Explore Chinese food, festivals, traditions, pop culture, and modern life while developing your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Whether you dream of travelling, connecting with people from around the world, or learning a unique and valuable skill, Mandarin is an exciting subject that opens doors both now and in the future. This is a full-year course.

Equipment/Stationery: 1H5 exercise book, 40-Page Display Book, pens, pencils, eraser and highlighters. Headphones or earbuds for listening, speaking, and online learning activities.

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in Mandarin is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: Assessment is practical, engaging, and designed to build your confidence. You'll demonstrate your learning through conversations, role-plays, creative video or podcast recordings, interactive activities, and real-life reading and writing tasks. Speaking assessments take place in a supportive, low-pressure environment, allowing you to practise, improve, and showcase your progress. 

Next Steps: Continue your Mandarin journey in Mandarin 100 (MDR100), where you'll prepare for NCEA Level 1 while building greater confidence in communicating in real-life situations. You'll further develop your language skills, explore Chinese culture in more depth, and open doors to future study, travel, and career opportunities. 

Course Overview: Learn more about the culture that brought you anime, manga, tonkatsu, ramen, and yukata! Students build on the basic elementary-level learnt in Year 9 Japanese to improve communication skills using various tools, including videos, music, and games. You use numbers to talk about times, sizes and prices. You learn to use verbal and non-verbal skills in conversations and be able to describe, explain and give opinions. You enhance your knowledge about Japanese history and popular culture, education, food and geography and further develop your skills in Japanese character calligraphy. You can choose to participate in an overseas trip to Japan in the future. This is a full year course.

Equipment/Stationery: 1J5 exercise book, HB pencils

Recommended Prior Learning: Year 9 Japanese or equivalent, after negotiation with the Head of Faculty.

Assessment Information: You have tasks showcasing your learning of grammar, vocab, writing skills, and speaking skills throughout the term. There are also assessments which showcase your reading, writing, and character calligraphy knowledge towards the end of each term.

Next Steps: Students can progress to Japanese 100 (JPN100), a full-year course focused on advancing interactive cultural performance and speaking capacities.

Course Overview: Build your confidence in English in a safe, supportive, and encouraging learning environment. This course is designed for English language learners who want to strengthen their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for school and everyday life. Through games, interactive activities, literacy practice, conversations, podcasts and video recordings, you'll develop your communication skills in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Explore books, songs, films, and real-world topics while building your grammar, vocabulary, and confidence to express your ideas clearly. 

Whether you're new to English or looking to improve your proficiency, this course will help you become a more confident and independent communicator. This is a full-year course.

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 exercise book, pens, pencils, eraser and highlighters. Headphones or earbuds for listening, speaking, and online learning activities.

Recommended Prior Learning: This course is suitable for students who are learning English as an additional language or who would like additional support to build their confidence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 

Assessment Information:

A range of authentic assessments allows you to demonstrate your learning in meaningful ways. These may include conversations, podcasts or video recordings, literacy activities, and real-world reading and writing tasks. 

Next Steps: Students can progress to Level 1 English Proficiency Studies (EPS100), where they will continue to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while building confidence in using English for school and everyday life. 

Course Overview: Ever wanted to talk to a friend, but the room was too noisy, and you did not want to shout? Then learn New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). This course is an introduction to NZSL, which celebrates cultural diversity and improves communication with the deaf and hard of hearing community to enhance cognitive skills and career prospects. The course develops students’ ability to use sign language to communicate about themselves, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and family. The Sign Language course inherently fosters inclusivity, promotes better communication skills, and offers a fun and engaging way to learn a new language.

Equipment/Stationery: 1B5 exercise book, HB pencils

Recommended Prior Learning: No prior experience in NZSL is needed. This course is suitable for beginners. 

Assessment Information: Assessment includes a variety of comprehension and production tasks. You'll take part in conversations, talking about relatable topics

Next Steps: You have tasks showcasing your NZSL comprehension, your ability to interact with your classmates in NZSL, and your ability to produce a video expressing yourself in NZSL towards the end of each term.