Subject Options

Year 9 Curriculum Highlights

Te Puāwaitanga o Kaipara (Whānau Time)

At the heart of our Year 9 experience is Whānau class, a daily meeting with their Kaiārahi (Whānau teacher) before interval where students come together to create a sense of belonging and support. It is a space where friendships are forged and a school spirit is cultivated, setting the tone for a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Core Subjects

Year 9 students embark on a journey through English, Maths, Science, Social Sciences, and Health and Physical Education. With a focus on developing essential literacy and numeracy skills across all areas, our dedicated educators guide students to not only understand the subjects but to appreciate the interconnectedness of knowledge. 

Rotation Subjects

Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, including Te Reo Māori, Performing Arts, Music, Art, and Technology. This exposure ensures that every student discovers their passions and talents, setting the stage for confident decision-making when selecting Year 10 subjects and beyond. 

Building a strong foundation

The diverse learning experiences in Year 9 lay the foundation for informed decision-making when it comes to selecting Year 10 subjects. By providing a broad and balanced curriculum, we empower students to make choices that align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations. For more information on our courses and pathways, please visit https://kaipara.schoolpoint.co.nz 

Year 10 Curriculum Highlights

Whānau Time: A cornerstone of support

Central to the student experience at Kaipara College is the continued emphasis on whānau time. This dedicated period every day serves as a daily opportunity for students to live and learn our Te WAKA o Kaipara school values, foster connections, share experiences, and cultivate the support necessary for their educational journey to be a success.

Literacy and Numeracy: A foundation to navigate success

Year 10 marks a focused effort to deepen literacy and numeracy skills. This strategic emphasis not only prepares students for the NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Co-Requisite Assessments but also lays the groundwork for success in NCEA Level 1 in Year 11.

Pick your Passion: Subject Selections

In addition to the core subjects—English, Maths, Science, Social Sciences, and Health and Physical Education—Year 10 students have the privilege of selecting two subjects per semester. This curated list includes Te Reo Māori, Visual Art, Performing Arts, Horticulture, Music, Sports, Enterprise, Materials Technology, Processing Technology, Digital Technology, and Design and Visual Communication. The diversity of options allows students to explore and align their academic journey with their passions. Please note that for our students with an affinity for languages, our offerings extend to comprehensive year-long courses in Te Reo Māori and Japanese. This structure allows for a more thorough and accelerated approach, particularly beneficial for those intending to pursue Senior Language studies.

For further insights into our courses and pathways, we invite you to explore Kaipara College’s SchoolPoint platform at https://kaipara.schoolpoint.co.nz. Any inquiries or clarifications may be directed to Bernard Coleman, Deputy Principal of Curriculum & Pedagogy, at bcoleman@kaipara.school.nz.

Senior Curriculum

The senior years (Years 11 to 13) are a time of focused exploration and personal growth, setting the stage for future success.

Curriculum Overview

Senior students at Kaipara College have the privilege of tailoring their educational experience by selecting five courses throughout the year, contributing towards their NCEA qualification. It is our commitment to ensure a well-rounded foundation, and thus, all students must successfully complete NCEA Level 1 English, Level 1 Maths, and a Level 1 Science course. This approach not only aligns with academic excellence but also provides a comprehensive base for their NCEA Level One qualification. 

Specialisation and Passion Pathways

In Years 12 and 13, students have the opportunity to delve deeper into their areas of interest, either by specialising in their passion pathways or by taking a broader approach that aligns with their aspirations. This flexibility empowers students to pursue subjects that resonate with their goals, fostering a sense of ownership in their educational journey.

Guidance and Support

To facilitate informed decision-making, our senior subject selections are made online using the SchoolPoint platform. Guidance and information are seamlessly integrated into both class and ongoing academic mentoring during Whānau time, ensuring that students receive the support they need to make well-informed choices. Our dedicated Careers and Gateway team at Kaipara College plays a crucial role in providing valuable insights and assistance into connecting students to pathways beyond college.

Confirmation of Subject Selections

It is imperative for senior students to confirm their subject selections on 24 January and 25 January 2024. This step ensures a smooth transition into their chosen courses, setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling academic year. More information will be provided to students and their whānau closer to this date.

Explore Senior Courses and Pathways

For a detailed exploration of our Senior courses and pathways, we invite you to visit Kaipara College’s SchoolPoint platform at https://kaipara.schoolpoint.co.nz. Here, you will find comprehensive information to assist both students and parents in making well-informed decisions about their educational journey. Any inquiries or clarifications may be directed to Bernard Coleman, Deputy Principal of Curriculum & Pedagogy, at bcoleman@kaipara.school.nz.

Te Puāwaitanga o Kaipara (Whānau Time)

Te Puāwaitanga o Kaipara 

Te Puāwaitanga o Kaipara College is the pastoral care and academic mentoring programme at Kaipara College that occurs during whānau time. It is not just a programme but a commitment to the holistic development of every student. Whānau time is grounded in Te WAKA o Kaipara, our school values – Whanaungatanga (Our People), Aroha (Our Way), Kaitiakitanga (Our Place), and Angitūtanga (Our Success) – and framed by the prestigious Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework. Through whānau time, the Kaiārahi (Whānau teacher) develops relationships with all students that express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power and expand possibilities.

Developmental Relationships

When students experience developmental relationships at school (and in other aspects of their lives) they are more likely to be resilient in the face of challenges and grow up thriving. Through developmental relationships, our students will discover who they are, be supported to cultivate the abilities needed for them to shape their own lives and learn how to engage and contribute to the world around them. Thus the relationships that develop between students and their Kaiārahi will be instrumental in students navigating to success whilst at Kaipara College and beyond.

The Kaupapa of Te Puāwaitanga

The kaupapa (purpose) of Te Puāwaitanga o Kaipara is to ensure every student:

• feels known, cared for and heard by their Kaiārahi (whānau teacher)

• develops a sense of belonging within their whānau group and Kaipara College

• experiences consistent, high-quality care, irrespective of their Kaiārahi

• and their whānau know that the kaiārahi is the first point of contact in the school

• thrives, enabling them to leave school with mana, purpose and opportunities

• learns and lives according to Te WAKA o Kaipara (our school values)

Vertical whānau classes

To fulfil this vision and kaupapa, each Whānau class comprises students from a range of year levels to encourage tuakana-teina (mentoring) relationship developments. Whānau classes meet five times a week, four of these are whānau time, the fifth period is for assembly and administration.

Designed to support

The Kaiārahi, alongside the year level Kaitiaki (Dean), design teaching and learning that allows students to feel a sense of belonging and navigate to success by developing their understanding of the following aspects of Kaipara College:

• learning and living Kaipara College’s Te Waka o Kaipara values of Whanaungatanga, Aroha, Kaitiakitanga, and Angitūtanga

• developing their own sense of hauora

• exploring peer support through tuakana-teina relationships

• giving service to others and having local and global citizenship

• goal setting, exploring careers and pathways opportunities, and academic mentoring with their kaiārahi (and other teaching staff as necessary)

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