Y 7 - 8 Learning

Learning Years 7 - 8

These are the foundational years, which are critically important to enable students to be able to access and succeed within NCEA Level 1-3 assessments but also to leave QCC as a graduate ready to participate and flourish in an ever changing and complex world.  

All students in Year 7-10 study from the eight essential learning areas within the New Zealand Curriculum.  These are  English - Mathematics - Humanities - Health & PE - Technology - The Arts - Languages - Sciences.

In Year 11 and beyond there are also Vocational Pathways, which includes Trades and Gateway Programs.

Like most schools there is more time across a day/week given on a timetable to what is sometimes called or referred to the "core" subjects of English, Maths, Science, and Humanities -  within the junior classes these are also often the subjects that are compulsory until at least Year 11. Other subjects students have 1 - 3 times a week, including Art, Technology, Languages, Health & PE.  This is to offer students a broad curriculum before they get to choose and specialise from Year 11. 

We consider all learning areas we offer to be core subjects and important at QCC - each year our Heads of Learning work closely looking at timetabling with our Senior Management Team. There are many differing views between educators, parents/whānau and students as to what subjects are the most important and should be given the most focus - in recent years in media releases and within schools there has also been a focus shift towards STEM - Science - Technology - Engineering and Mathematics or you may hear people talk about STEAM, which also has the Arts added. 

What is most common within a traditional style school timetable is that you will still see a choice in Year 9 and 10 for Language and Technology rotations - this can change from school to school depending on staffing availability and timetable structures. 

Here is a link with further reading also. For choosing subject areas Year 9 and beyond. 

As you are aware in recent years we have made changes to our Year 7 & 8 Curriculum within, which we reviewed in term three of 2022. As a result of those reviews last year we decided not to continue with the cross-curricular option of Projects and to timetable students back into those subject areas. However, we have taken some of the best learning from Projects and this is now part of each learning area.

The literacy program will continue moving forward at this stage as it aligns with our school and national priorities to increase our Literacy and Numeracy skills and knowledge.

Literacy progam  

Students do structured literacy, learning to learn (skills and knowledge)  and some numeracy. This could look like reading, spelling, hand writing, timetables, school values. From 2024, all NZ students wishing to gain NCEA qualifications will need to achieve the Literacy and Numeracy assessment requirements. Further reading here on this link  

Whānau/Home room support - Year 7 and 8 have homeroom teachers who teach the class for at least 2 - 3 other subjects and hope to increase that where possible. 

Kia ora to our new students enrolled at Queen Charlotte College...

Please take the time to read the following attachments/links that include information that you will need regarding the first day of school next year, stationery ordering, how to order school uniforms, who’s who at QCC and important information for any bus students. 

School Uniforms - Follow this link to order your child's school uniforms online. Included on this page is a detailed description of what each year 

Queen Charlotte College School Website - This is our school's official website. Here is where you will find school documents and policies etc. 

Stationery Ordering via Officemax - This year all students will need to order stationery via MySchool Officemax online. Follow this link to access your stationery requirements. You will be able to choose your year level and have your stationery delivered straight to your door!

Ka Ora, Ka Ako - Free Lunch Programme - For the last two years we have been providing free school lunches to all children at Queen Charlotte College via Pita Pit. Each day these are delivered and students can pick lunch up from the canteen at the morning break and at lunchtime. You do not need to fill out this form if your child has no allergies or dietary requirements. Feel free to read the information provided in this form. This is not compulsory so feel free to bring your own packed lunches. 

As always any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the following team on the details below: 

Team Leader Yr 7/8 - Mrs Belinda Mataele bmataele@qcc.school.nz

Curriculum Lead Yr7/8 Miss Hannah Choat hchoat@qcc.school.nz

DP Pastoral - Campbell Hart chart@qcc.school.nz

DP Curriculum - Anna Colman acolman@qcc.school.nz

Literacy Lead - Rebecca Woledge  rwoledge@qcc.school.nz

Numeracy Lead - Taryn Beattie  tbeattie@qcc.school.nz