Curriculum Overview

Subject Overviews

Arts

The arts in the MYP seek to stimulate young imaginations, challenge perceptions and develop creative, technical, expressive and analytical skills. MYP arts at Dio values the processes of creating, performing and presenting artwork, and offers students opportunities to function as artists and creators in Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Art. 

 The aims of MYP Arts are to encourage and enable students to:
• enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts and explore the arts across time, cultures and contexts
• understand the relationship between art and its contexts and develop the skills necessary to create and to perform art
• express ideas creatively and reflect on their development as young artists.

 The learning and assessment objectives for the Arts in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Investigating

• Developing

• Creating/Performing

• Evaluating

 For further information contact: Zoe Visvanathan, Head of Faculty Arts

Design

MYP Design challenges students to apply practical and creative-thinking skills to solve design problems. At Dio the study of Design includes Digital Technologies, Digital Media Design, Food Design Technology, Material Design Technology, and, Design and Visual Communication.  

 Inquiry and problem-solving are at the heart of design. MYP design requires the use of the design cycle as a tool, which provides: the methodology to structure the inquiry and analyse problems; the development of feasible solutions; the creation of solutions; and the testing and evaluation of the solution. In MYP design, a solution can be a model, prototype, product or system independently created and developed by students.

The learning and assessment objectives for MYP Design in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Inquiring and analysing

• Developing ideas

• Creating the solution

• Evaluating

For further information contact:

Matt Bennett, Head of Faculty 

Individuals and societies

At Dio, the study of MYP Individuals and societies includes Social studies, Matauranga Māori and Religious studies. Individuals and societies encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, geographical, political, social, economic, spiritual and cultural factors that affect individuals, societies and environments in local, national and global contexts.  

The aim of MYP Individuals and societies is to enable students to:
• appreciate human and environmental commonalities and diversity; and, understand the interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies and the environment
• understand how both environmental and human systems operate and evolve, and identify and develop concern for the well-being of human communities and the natural environment
• act as responsible citizens of local and global communities

The learning and assessment objectives for Individuals and societies in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Knowing and understanding

• Investigating

• Communicating

• Thinking critically

For further information contact: 

Social Studies: Lisa Mave, Head of Faculty

Religious Studies: Denis MacLay, Head of Faculty

Te Whare Huia: Cydel Peters, Head of Faculty

Language acquisition

At Dio, the study of Language acquisition includes options for Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin (Classical Languages), Spanish, and Te Reo Māori. The study of additional languages provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture, and to realize that there are diverse ways of living, behaving and viewing the world.  

The study of additional languages is integral in developing international mindedness. 

The learning and assessment objectives for Language acquisition in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Listening 

• Speaking 

• Reading 

• Writing

For further information contact Susan Marriott, Head of Faculty & IB Diploma Coordinator

Language and literature

MYP Language and literature at Dio includes English Literature, English for Language Learners (ELL) and Chinese Literature. In the MYP, Language and literature will include a balanced study of genres and literary texts, including a world literature component each year in Years 7 - 10. Language and literature equips students with linguistic, analytical and communicative skills and students develop skills in six domains—listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting. 

The aims of MYP language and literature are to encourage and enable students to:
• use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis and social interaction
• develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts
• develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analysing literary and non-literary texts

The learning and assessment objectives for MYP Language and literature in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Analysing 

• Organizing 

• Producing text 

• Using language

For further information contact Susy Carryer, Head of Faculty

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is a fundamental part of a balanced education. It promotes a powerful universal language, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills that contribute to the development of logical, abstract and critical thinking. Students will see authentic examples of how mathematics is useful and relevant to their lives and will be encouraged to apply it to new situations. 

The framework for Mathematics outlines four branches of mathematical study: 

1. Numerical and abstract reasoning 

2. Thinking with models 

3. Spatial reasoning 

4. Reasoning with data

The learning and assessment objectives for Mathematics in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Knowing and understanding 

• Investigating patterns 

• Communicating 

• Applying mathematics in real-life contexts

For further information contact Susan Jackson, Head of Faculty

Physical and health education

Through opportunities for active learning, courses in physical and health education embody and promote the holistic nature of well-being. Students will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting positive social interaction. Physical and health education focuses on both learning about and learning through physical activity.  

The learning and assessment objectives for MYP Physical and health education in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Knowing and understanding 

• Planning for performance 

• Applying and performing 

• Reflecting and improving performance

For further information contact Jo Spencer, Head of Faculty

Sciences

With inquiry at the core, the Science framework aims to guide students to independently and collaboratively investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation. The study of Sciences explores connections between science and everyday life.  

The aims of MYP Sciences are to enable students to:
• understand and appreciate science and its implications, and consider science as a human endeavour with benefits and limitations
• cultivate analytical, inquiring and flexible minds that pose questions, solve problems, construct explanations, judge arguments and develop skills to design and perform investigations, evaluate evidence and reach conclusions
• build an awareness of the need to effectively collaborate and communicate; and apply language skills and knowledge in a variety of real-life contexts
• develop sensitivity towards the living and non-living environments, reflect on learning experiences and make informed choices.

The learning and assessment objectives for MYP Sciences in Years 7 – 10 include:

• Knowing and understanding 

• Inquiring and designing 

• Processing and evaluating 

• Reflecting on the impacts of science

For further information contact Bernard Potter, Head of Faculty

* Diocesan School for Girls is a Candidate school* for the Middle Years Programme (MYP), pursuing authorization and aiming to expand to a 3-programme, IB World School.  IB World Schools are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Dio believe is important for our students. Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization can offer its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org