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Curriculum

All the subjects we offer are listed in Curriculum Overview page of this website. More detailed information is available in the Year 9 and 10 option booklet and the Senior Course Handbook which is published in September each year.

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

Our major aims are to give our students:

  • a thorough grounding in the core subjects, particularly literacy and numeracy
  • the opportunity to explore a range of the other subject areas.
     

YEAR 7 AND 8

Students are in homerooms with the same teacher for English, Mathematics and Social Studies. Their course also includes Science, Food Technology, Hard Materials Technology, Health and Physical Education, Visual Art, Music, and Computing. All subjects are taught in specialist rooms using the same facilities and equipment as the older students.

YEAR 9

All students study English, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Technology, Health and Physical Education, Visual Art, Music, plus two subjects chosen from: Foreign languages, Maori, Computing, Graphics & Design, Food & Textiles Technology, Biotechnology.

YEAR 10

All students study English, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Technology, Health and Physical Education, plus two subjects chosen from: Foreign language, Computing, Food & Textiles Technology, Materials Technology and Graphics & Design, Business Studies, Music, Visual Art, Rural Studies.

 

THE SENIOR SCHOOL

Course counselling with students and parents assists students in planning their senior course of study to ensure their programme includes subjects appropriate for their ability and career aspirations.

YEAR 11

All students study towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA Level 1). Students choose a total of six subjects.

It is highly recommended that all students take English, Mathematics, Skills for Life, and Science or Agriculture or Electronics.

YEAR 12 AND 13

Our major aims are to:

  • provide each student with a relevant course of study that is appropriate for their strengths and abilities.
  • give students a sound preparation in the subjects they plan to carry on with in their learning pathway.
  • prepare and equip students for further education and employment.

Correspondence School, Polytechnic and STAR courses may be available to selected students.

Waimate High School is a member of CantaNet, a group of secondary schools in Canterbury who share teachers via video conference. This means we can offer additional subjects by VC. Students have weekly contact with their VC teacher along with on-line support.

A Gateway programme allows senior students to gain NCEA credits while spending time at a work place.

QUALIFICATIONS

Students in Years 11,12 and 13 may study towards the following qualifications:

  • NCEA Level 1
  • NCEA Level 2
  • NCEA Level 3
  • University Entrance
  • National Certificates

Waimate High School is fully accredited to award credits in all conventional subjects. We are also accredited to teach and assess some vocational units.

CLASS PLACEMENT

The Year 7 to 10 students are placed into mixed ability classes. We provide extension opportunities and added challenge for students with faster learning rates. We offer individual learning support to students experiencing difficulty in literacy and numeracy.

Class placement in Year 11 to 13 is based on each student's subjects which are selected from the courses offered. Entry requirements exist for Year 12 and 13 subjects and these are explained in the Senior Course Handbook.