Welcome to Y9 & Y10 Course Selection for 2026
Ko Hine-Titama koe nānā i puta ki te whai ao ki te ao mārama | Educating and empowering young women to achieve now and in the future.
Subject choice is an important process in the school year. You need to consider a number of factors when choosing your subjects for next year. Think carefully about your learning and talk with as many people as you can about the variety of subjects available to you.
Ako are Learning Classes
In Years 9 and 10, ākonga | students study the following subjects with their Ako | learning class.
English
Maths
Science
Social Studies
Health and Physical Education
Each subject is studied for 3 periods in a week. Student progress is tracked and our rangatahi know where they are at and what their next steps for success are. Each subject's curriculum has been expertly designed, is inclusive, knowledge rich and learning is sequential.
In Year 9, ākonga | students study an extra hour of English a week and in Year 10, there is an extra hour of Mathematics weekly.
Required Option subjects: The Arts, Technology and Learning Languages
Ākonga | Students also choose from subjects in The Arts, Technology and Learning Languages subject areas. These subjects are studied for 3x hours a week.
THE ARTS
Dance
Drama
Music
Visual Art
TECHNOLOGY
Design & Visual Communications (DVC)
Food Design Technology
Fashion Design Technology
Product Development Technology
LEARNING LANGUAGES
Te Reo Māori
French
Japanese
Spanish
Additional subject options for junior semesters
We also offer additional subjects in Year 9 and Year 10. These subjects will only run if full.
Year 9 | Year 10 | Junior (one year courses) |
Philosophy Māori Studies Media Studies Ngā Taonga Tākaro | Commerce Media Studies Digital Innovations Geography Psychology Ngā Taonga Tākaro | JTRM JMUS |
In Year 9:
Ākonga must select 1 Arts semester, 1 Technology semester and 1 Language semester.
Students are encouraged to fill their remaining semesters with further Arts, Technology and Language subjects or the additional subject options.
All courses are half year.
Exceptions: JTRM / JMUS are one year and count for 2 semesters.
Additional Y9 semesters in 2026 include
9 Philosophy
9 Māori Studies
9 Media Studies
Junior Ngā Taonga Tākaro
These subjects will only run if full.
In Year 10:
Ākonga must select 1 Arts subject and 1 Technology subject.
Ākonga are encouraged to fill their remaining subjects with further Arts, Technology and Language options or the additional subject options for Y10.
Y10 Languages must be studied for NCEA L1. Y10 Languages are one year courses and count for 2 semesters.
One year courses include JTRM / JMUS and all Language courses
Additional Y10 semesters in 2026 will include
10 Commerce
10 Media Studies
10 Digital Innovations
10 Geography
10 Psychology
Junior Ngā Taonga Tākaro
These subjects will only run if full.
A note on one year courses: JTRM / JMUS
In Te Reo Māori and Music, there are Junior classes (mixed Y9 and Y10 classes). These classes are for students who have prior learning in these subject areas and run for the full year.
All Year 10 Languages are one year subjects and count for two semesters.
Ako | Learning Classes 2025
In Year 9 and 10, our students are grouped into learning classes by Pou. Students will connect to other students in their Pou and develop a sense of belonging and connection to their Pou. These connections will strengthen across your school years.
Literacy and Numeracy Corequisite
Students in Year 10 sit the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite. This is an exam that sits outside of the NCEA qualification.
Ākonga will only be awarded an NCEA qualification once they have passed the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite.
In 2026, there will be extra classes in Literacy and Numeracy to help our rangatahi gain fundamental skills needed for successful pathways.
Aotearoa New Zealand Histories
At Te Kura Kōhine o Ōtākaro | AGHS, Aotearoa New Zealand histories are intentionally woven through our Social Studies curriculum. Other subjects also feature the stories, places and people of Aotearoa. In Māpuna, our school library, we have an Aotearoa Collection on permanent display.
He Whare Mauri Ora
In 2023, we reshaped our school values. We want our students to
be strong in their place in the world
connect well with others
be determined, caring, persistent, compassionate and courageous
have high academic aspirations
Our Mauri are important in all areas of school life. In lessons, your Kaiako | teachers and you will find lots of opportunities to bring He Whare Mauri Ora to your learning.
Our values are also aligned with new school badges. You will learn more about how you can be rewarded for your actions and achievements in learning, culture, sports, arts and service, through your Ako teacher.
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