Course Selection Guidance

Course Counselling is available to students to ensure that a sensible and realistic course of study is planned.  Parents need to be involved in any decisions, and they must approve any proposed course.  In Term Two and Three, students in year 10, 11 and 12 participate in career investigation and planning. Then at the start of Term Three, they start course counselling in their Whānau Ora classes. Deans, Transition and  teaching staff are available to talk to students throughout the year about subjects and careers.

This subject selection site is  here to enable students and parents to gather adequate information before planning and choosing the next year’s course of study.  

Selecting a Course of Study

Choose subjects or a course that:

• You are good at

• Will allow you to get the qualifications you need

• Will lead you to the career you have in mind

• You enjoy and are likely to do well in

• Provide a pathway through to Year 13

• Will be broad enough to allow flexibility if you change your mind in the future

If you need help please ask:

• Your current subject teachers

• Teachers noted at the top of a course outline

• Your Whānau ora teacherYour Dean

• The Careers Advisor – Miss Boulton  lboulton@dunstan.school.nz

• Transition Coordinator - Mrs Nic Kelly nkelly@dunstan.school.nz

• The Guidance Counsellor – Mrs Williamson jwilliamson@dunstan.school.nz

• The Senior Leadership Team

• Link to staff contact information click here

Parents are welcome to contact any of the staff members above.

Remember: Ask if you are unsure about choosing your course.

Knowing Your Direction

Leads to   ---------------->   purpose/focus for learning

Leads to   ---------------->   achievement and an enjoyable year

Course Costs

Course costs can be found on each subject and course description. These are a contribution toward the cost of course materials. It should be noted that most of these payments are voluntary and this will be clarified when students select their courses. The payments that parents/caregivers make, are used to help bridge the funding gap, and are vitally important to help provide valuable resources and enhance our learning environment. Not only do these costs help with the purchase of resources,  they also support our commitment to keep class sizes low and help provide extra staffing in the school beyond what the Government provides us through operational funding.

The school’s funding comes from a combination of operational grant (government funding), parent/caregiver donation, and other grants/fundraising. The operational grant only covers basic administration, teaching and property running costs of the school. It does not cover any of the additional resources, equipment and field trips that parents/caregivers expect and Dunstan High School wants to be available for students. This all enables effective teaching and learning.