The following courses are compulsory for all students to study in 2026

English 10Enb/Ena (Full Year)

Course Description: The course is the second year in a two-year programme leading to Year 11 English where standards are both externally and internally assessed.

The general aims are set out in the English curriculum document and the course is designed to develop skills in the various "strands". Students will also be prepared to sit the literacy standards.

Teaching is also provided for individuals who need assistance with literacy.

Next step: Year 11 English course

Contact Person: Ms Liddell kml@shirley.school.nz

English Language Skills 10Enl (Full Year)

Course Description:The English Language Skills programme is an alternative English programme offered to NESB (Non English Speaking Background) students. The programme is designed to assist students’ English language acquisition in all key skill areas – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

The course reflects the individual needs of the student for whom English is not a first language by offering subject support by specialist teaching staff in conjunction with language skills. Students study a selection of topics which focus on subject-specific vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and sentence construction.

Contact Person: Contact Person: Ms Leanne Russ lor@shirley.school.nz

Mathematics & Statistics 10Mat (Full Year)

Course Description: Designed to match the requirements of the NZ National Curriculum and aims to develop both Numeracy and individual thinking skills as well as providing the basis for advanced study. Through a balance of knowledge development, skills practice and problem solving opportunities, we bring together effective learning and preparation in Mathematics and Statistics for Qualifications and Life in years to come.

In Year 10, courses are streamed into three levels based on performance in Year 9. Topics include numeric thinking, using symbols & expressions (algebra), measurement, geometry, patterns & relationships, statistics and probability.

Students will be given the opportunity to sit the Numeracy CAA exam (US 32406) to gain their 10 Numeracy credits before entering Level 1 NCEA. Their performance in the Numeracy exam will dictate which Year 11 Mathematics class they will be entered into.

Contact Person: Mr Webber fdw@shirley.school.nz

Health and Physical Education 10HPE (Full Year)

Course Description: Students are taught and assessed at level 3, 4 and 5 of the curriculum over both years 9 and 10. This allows students to delve deep into the broad nature of this curriculum area.

In Year 9 and 10 the content is taught through four main school wide themes of learning these are;

Year 9: Turangawaewae - Personal Identity, Hapori - My role in society, Rawa - My body as a resource, Te Taio - The natural environment.

Year 10: Tangata ke Wahi Ke- Other people, other places, Nga Wero - Overcoming challenges, O Tika O Kawenga - Our rights and responsibilities and Arorangi - Reaching for the stars.

Health and Physical Education uses movement as a context to learn. Learning through movement helps to develop individuals interpersonal skills and physical motor skills. Through movement students develop knowledge about how the body functions, participate in challenging physical activities to develop a growth mindset and resilience which in turn further develops their levels of self-confidence. Students will have opportunities to further develop their leadership skills in the running of their very own Sports tournament. Graduates of the Junior Health and Physical Education program will understand the influences self others and society have and will have the knowledge and skills to make health enhancing decisions that enable total well being both now and in the future.

This course will also prepare students who wish to undertake Senior Physical Education as a learning pathway.

Aspects of Health Education such as Mental Health, Conflict Resolution, Leadership and Healthy relationships are taught in both practical and theoretical lessons. Drug Education and Sexuality Education are the topics taught in isolation of Health and Physical Education. In Health Education students will gain knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will allow them to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and be able to contribute to the wellbeing of themselves, other people and their communities. They will also develop skills that will enable them to enhance relationships with other people and participate in creating healthy communities by taking responsibility.

Next step for Year 11: 11PED or 11PEL. 11SPD and 11OED by application only

Contact Person: Mr Mark Dunn - mjd@shirley.school.nz or Mr C Treleaven - cjt@shirley.school.nz

Science 10Sci (Full Year)

Course Description: Year 10 teachers seek to build on student’s own experiences and understanding by exposing them to interesting phenomena that occur in the world around them including :

• Plant, animal and human biology; chemistry (now including organic chemistry), physics, earth science, light and astronomy, ecology;
  

• Interaction between humans and their environment;
  

• Scientific thinking and investigation skills;
  

• Practical skills - measuring, observing, problem solving and handling equipment.

Next step: Year 11 Science courses

Contact Person: Mr Richards rnr@shirley.school.nz

Social Studies 10Soc (Full Year)

Course Description: Year 10 Social Studies provides an in-depth exploration of global societies, historical events, and the forces that shape our world. Students will examine diverse cultures, significant challenges, different systems of government, and humanity's quest for knowledge. This course fosters critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world, preparing students to become informed and responsible global citizens.

Course Content:

Term 1:  Tangata Kē, Wāhi Kē – Other People, Other Places

How do other people around the globe live? What are the special places, events and cultures that define different societies? Topics include Australia’s First Peoples, The Pacific Islands, Nuclear Testing, Vietnam War, The Americas etc . . .

Term 2:  Nga Wero – Challenges and Crises

What are the different ways people react and respond to significant challenges/events? What are the consequences of these responses for communities and places? Topics include Natural Disasters, Apartheid South Africa, Life of Gandhi, US Civil Rights, 9/11 etc . . .

Term 3:  Ō Tika, Ō Kawenga – Social Organisation, Rights, and Responsibilities

What is government? How do different systems of government impact on peoples’ lives? Topics include Democracy, NZ’s Government, Hitler’s Germany, Communism, Emperors & Kings etc . . .

Term 4:  Arorangi - Space, Heavenwards and Beyond

What are the big ideas that drive the human race to explore the unknown? How do these things impact different societies? Topics include Space Race, Aliens, World Religions, Legends & Myths etc . .

Contact Person: Mr Skinner mjs@shirley.school.nz

Next step: 11 Geography and/or 11 History and/or Economics