by Melanie McRandle

Welcome to Subject Choice for 2024

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Subject choice is an important process in your 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.


YEARS 9 AND 10 - CORE CLASSES

In Years 9 and 10, ākonga | students study the following subjects with their core class. 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.

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Health and Physical Education


THE ARTS, TECHNOLOGY, LEARNING LANGUAGES

Ākonga | Students also choose from subjects in The Arts, Technology and Learning Languages. These subjects are studied for 3x hours a week.

Year 9: Ākonga choose two courses from The Arts, Technology and Languages. These courses are half year courses in Year 9.

Year 10: Ākonga choose two courses from The Arts and Technology.  Languages are one year courses in Year 10. Languages are not compulsory however if you think you might want to study a language in Year 11, then you should take it in Year 10.

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.

THE ARTS

  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Visual Art

TECHNOLOGY 

  • Digital Technologies
  • Design & Visual Communications (DVC)
  • Fabric Design Technology
  • Food Design Technology
  • Product Development Technology

LEARNING LANGUAGES

  • Te Reo Māori
  • French
  • Japanese
  • Spanish


CORE CLASSES 2024

In Year 9 and 10, our students are grouped into core classes by interest. We hope that by being in a class with others who have similar interests to you, that you will find it easier to make new friends and to feel comfortable in your learning environment. Your Kaiako | teachers may be able to consider these interests when planning their teaching and learning as well.

Image by: Melanie McRandle


LITERACY AND NUMERACY CO-REQUISITE

In 2024, the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite, which sits outside of the new NCEA qualification, becomes mandatory. All students at AGHS will need to sit this exam.

Ākonga will only be awarded an NCEA qualification once they have passed the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite.

In 2024, there will be extra classes in Literacy and Numeracy to help our rangatahi gain fundamental skills needed for successful pathways.


Image by: Melanie McRandle


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. We also have an Aotearoa Collection on permanent display in Māpuna, the AGHS library.


Image by: Melanie McRandle


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 for 2024. Watch this space and learn more about how you can be rewarded for your actions and achievements in learning, culture, sports, arts and service.


Image by: Melanie McRandle