Physical Education is a subject with variety. It is 100% internally assessed for all three NCEA levels. Physical Education aims to develop lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.  The content covers biophysical and socio-cultural aspects associated with practical contexts. The nature of the course enables a student studying Physical Education to be reflective and adaptable. Another crucial element is a student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge to personal experiences in some form of practical context. In doing so, students are better able to grasp ideas from listening, reading, seeing and doing. By Year 13, students are in a position to focus on and fully explore an area of interest, looking at it from multiple perspectives through a process of critical thinking. Critical thinking is a valuable skill that transfers into many other subjects and goes hand in hand with University degrees and career pathways, particularly but not exclusively, within the health industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Risk Assessment

• Biophysical & Biomechanics

• Crash Tag & ABL

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 19

Where could this course take you?
Year 13 PE or Fitness Studies

Physical Education Leadership course offers students the chance to develop their leadership skills in a practical and sporting environment.  What separates 12PL from PE is that it offers students who have leadership qualities to grow and put themselves in situations where they have to lead from the front. This course aims to develop self –confidence,  communication skills and leadership roles.  This course offers some practical but there is theory work to coincide with the assessment requirements, so students should not expect and entirely practical course.

Key Topics Covered:

• Teamwork & Coaching

• Leadership Strategies

• Risk Assessment

• Social Responsibility & ABL

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 20

Health is an important subject to take in senior school.  Understanding ourselves, people and the society around us is an integral part of life. Health Education involves students developing a greater understanding of relevant issues that we face in today’s society and gaining a greater understanding of why humans may behave the way they do. 

Key Topics Covered:

• School Community Wellbeing

• Managing Change

• Sexuality & Gender

• Adolescent Health Issues

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 20

Chemistry involves the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. You will develop understandings of the composition and properties of matter, the changes it undergoes, and the energy involved. Studying Chemistry allows us to better understand challenges, such as environmental sustainability and the development of new materials, pharmaceuticals, and sources of energy. 

Key Topics Covered:

• Practical Investigations

• Organic Compounds

• Oxidation & Reduction

• Bonding & Structure of Energy Changes

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 18

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

he study of Physics provides explanations for a wide range of physical phenomena, including light, sound, heat, electricity, magnetism, waves, forces, and motion. Physics enables people to understand a wide range of contemporary issues and challenges and potential technological solutions. 

Key Topics Covered:

• Practical Investigation

• Waves, Atomic & Mechanics

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 19

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

Biology is about about living things and how they interact with each other and the environment. You will be exploring the diversity of life and life processes, of where and how life has evolved in order to make more informed decisions about significant biological issues.  

Key Topics Covered:

• Practical Investigation

• Plant & Animal Adaptations

• Life Processes & Ecological Patterns

• Genes

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 19

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

What is social science? Social science is the branch of science devoted to the study of human societies and the relationships among individuals within those societies. It encompasses a wide array of academic disciplines, including accounting, anthropology, archaeology, business studies, economics, human geography, linguistics, management science, media studies, musicology, political science, psychology, and sociology. 

Key Topics Covered:

• Reflective Social Inquiry

• Social Action

• Cultural Conflict

• Sociological Theories

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 18

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

History offers an understanding of human activities in the past and how those events shape the world in which we live. History enables students to understand their heritage and that of their community, society and nation. 

Key Topics Covered:

• Significance of Historical Events

• Different Perspectives of Historical Events

• Consequences of Historical Events

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 19

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

*This is a proposed new course. This course running in 2024 is dependent on approval and student numbers.

The study of life in the Pacific; both past and present. How have the beautiful cultures of the Pacific nations developed and evolved over time. 

Key topics covered:

• Pacific indigenous knowledge, society and change

• Presenting information

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 18 

Tourism is an introductory course designed for secondary school students, providing them with an insight into the Tourism industry. It helps equip students with key skills and a deeper understanding of marketing, customer service, and many other integral skills required.

Key Topics Covered:

• Work Rules & Business of Tourism

• World & NZ Tourist Destinations

• Tourist Characteristics

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 18

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

*This is a proposed new course. This course running in 2024 is dependent on approval and student numbers.

Geography is designed to build a students' understanding of the environment (rivers, mountains, people, buildings, and infrastructure), where these features are located, how these features interconnect and how they can change over time. 

Key topics covered:

• Urban Patterns

• Research

• Global scale issues

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 15

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

Food Design is focuses on the practical skills involved with the design, preparation and production of Food. Students will complete an Industry Standard course that will prepare them for a range of careers in the Hospitality industry. Students should have a passion for food and the culinary arts and be ready to work at a fast pace!

Key topics covered:

• Table Service & Barista

• Food Safety & Contamination Hazards

• Steaming & Sandwiches

Number of Assessments: 9
Number of Credits on Offer: 25 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

'A leai se gagana, ua leai se aganuu, a leai se aganuu ona po lea o le nuu.’ When you lose your language, you lose your culture and when there is no longer a living culture, darkness descends on the village. (Fanaafi, 1996).

Learning Gagana and Samoan culture enables learners of Samoan heritage to affirm their sense of identity and belonging.  It gives them the opportunities to enhance their achievement and enable them to make connections to the wider community of speakers of the Samoan language.  At Tangaroa College, learning Gagana Samoa starts from Year 10 to Year 13. The first level is for students to acquire the following skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. As it moves to the next level, students will get the opportunity to acquire, maintain and increase their understanding, appreciation and proficiency in the language.  

Key topics covered:

• Communicate Information, Ideas & Opinions

• Interact using Spoken Samoan

• Written & Spoken Samoan Text

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 20 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

An option that provides and introduces Senior programs in making informed decisions for future career opportunities.  Throughout the year we have workshops and programs which involve financial capability, interpersonal communication, resilience and self management skills.  Important strategies to establish and develop which is essential for daily living. 

Key topics covered:

• Financial Decisions & Life Stages

• Managing Stress & Support Services

• CVs & Time Management

• Diversity & Teamwork

Number of Assessments: 8
Number of Credits on Offer: 20 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

The Visual Arts is an engaging and exciting course that celebrates everyone's unique artistic expression. Students are valued, respected and supported to express themselves in their artwork. Students learn how to develop their artistic, thinking and creative skills. In the Visual Arts students will have the opportunity to explore Photography, Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking. The Visual Arts embraces Maori and Pasifika Visual Art and Artists and encourages students to do the same. Students are expected to participate and engage in creative action by engaging, thinking and connecting with others and their artwork.

*To select just one specialty, students should select 12MAP1 OR 12MAP2 (doesn't matter which). If students wish to do two specialties, they should select 12MAP1 AND 12MAP2.

Key topics covered:

• Series of Drawings

• Sculpture, Painting or Photography

Number of Assessments: 3
Number of Credits on Offer: 20

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

During this course you will gain confidence in working with a group.  You will be able to practice a variety of drama skills, record your process and personal reactions, recognise the elements of drama, and contribute to the ensemble presentation.

Key topics covered:

• Performance & Substantial Acting Role

• Ethnic or Social Dance

• Dance

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 17 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

In this course you will learn the fundamentals of the Elements of Music, including writing music, as well as performing opportunities, and an introduction to mixing and production techniques.

Key topics covered:

• Ensemble & Soloist

• Original Pieces 

• NZ Music

• Instrumentals

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 20

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

The study of business is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers. Business is influenced by and impacts on the cultural, ethical, environmental, political, and economic conditions of the day. The Business Studies Department offers content from the Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and Legal Studies subjects in its courses

Key topics covered:

• Motivation Theory

• Market Research

• Personal Financial Decisions

• Business Activity

Number of Assessments: 3
Number of Credits on Offer: 15 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

Accounting enables students to understand, process and communicate financial information for individuals and business entities. It provides the skills to accurately process data into meaningful information to help make wise financial decision. 

Key topics covered:

• Inventory & Accounts Receivable

• Interpreting Accounting Information

• Accounting Systems

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 14

Students will learn how to design quality, fit-for-purpose digital solutions and systems that are created for humans by humans. They gain expertise in manipulating and combining data, and are aware of the unique intellectual property issues that arise in digital systems. 

Key topics covered:

• Drawing Methods

• Bodies of Related Work

Number of Assessments: 3
Number of Credits on Offer: 20 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

In Digital Technologies, students get to design their own digital outcomes or products. Students are creators, inventors and innovators - not just users - of digital technologies. As tomorrow’s leaders, our students need to understand the theory and science behind the technologies. They need to be adaptable to technology and have skills for jobs available today and the future.

Key topics covered:

• Databases & Computer Programs

• Programming

• Digital Outcomes

Number of Assessments: 5
Number of Credits on Offer: 19 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

Product Design is a practical subject where students design and make products in response to a given design brief. Each year level focuses on different practical skills and materials to give students a wide range of experience. We suggest taking Design and Visual Communication (DVC) as well Product Design.

Key topics covered:

• Timber & Construction

• BCATS & Power Tools

• Furniture

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 23

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

*This is a proposed new course. This course running in 2024 is dependent on approval and student numbers.

Design and Visual Communication (DVC) is where you can use graphical techniques to explore the functions and aesthetic qualities of a design to generate spatial design possibilities to produce its details.

Key topics covered:

• Visual Communication Techniques

• Design Movement

• Spatial Design

• Working Drawings

Number of Assessments: 4
Number of Credits on Offer: 20

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

Trades Academy is an engineering focused course where students can learn to demonstrate and apply knowledge of portable handheld engineering power tools, basic knowledge of engineering materials and manually produce simple engineering component drawings under supervision.

Key topics covered:

• Engineering Materials

• Portable & Handheld Tools

• Simple Engineering Drawings

Number of Assessments: 2
Number of Credits on Offer: 20 

*This is a proposed new course. This course running in 2024 is dependent on approval and student numbers.

Automotive is where you can gain valuable experience and knowledge of the structural facets of the Automotive Industry and attain industry Unit Standards in Workshop, Health and Safety and Motor Vehicle Servicing

Key topics covered:

• Emergency Procedures & Cleaning

• Legal Obligations

• Tools, Equipment, Lubricants and Industry Tasks

• Safe Work Practices

Number of Assessments: 8
Number of Credits on Offer: 19 

Services Academy is a vocational academy focused on the NZ Defense Force as well as the Police and Fire Emergency Services.

*Students who are interested in one of these career pathways should apply for an interview with the HoL (entrance to this course is by interview only)

Key topics covered:

• Teamwork, PE & Foot Drills

• First Aid

• Camps & Navigation

• CV's & Time Management

• Workplace Safety & Hazards

• NZ Defence Force Knowledge

Number of Assessments: 14
Number of Credits on Offer: 30 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13

He aha Te Reo Māori?
Ko Te Reo Māori he tuāpapa he tāonga hoki i tākea mai a kui mā a koro mā i Hawaiki nui Hawaiki roa Hawaiki pāmamao. Ki te ako te tauira i te reo Māori ka ako i ngā āhuatanga e pāheko ki ngā tikanga me ngā kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa. Nō reira rau rangatira tihei mauri ora!

If you are interested in this subject, but are worried about your ability to complete the course, please get in touch with Mrs Tawhi as the course may be adapted!

Key topics covered:

• Whakarongo

• Waihanga

• Whakamahi

Number of Assessments: 3
Number of Credits on Offer: 16 

Where could this course take you?
Year 13