Rotorua Boys’ High School

Welcome to Mathematics at Rotorua Boys’ College. The course is based on the NZ Curriculum Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 (CL3/4/5/6). The aim of this Course is to develop mathematical thinking and enhance problem-solving strategies.

Art

Basketball Academy

Dance

Design and Visual Communication

Football Academy

Hockey Academy

Maori Carving

Mathematics is one of the eight essential learning areas that help the learner develop the important life skills of numeracy, problem solving and communication.

This is a compulsory course at Year 10. Students will be placed in appropriate classes according to their academic ability.

Music

Rugby Academy

Social Studies

Students are required to complete three internal assessment portfolios of work. Each internal assessment portfolio will consist of at least two samples of work from a range of different contexts and for different purposes. The three internal assessment portfolios will focus on three areas of Te Reo Māori being Whakarongo –Listening; Kōrero – Speaking; Waihanga Tuhinga – Creative Writing. The two external assessment components focus on two areas of Te Reo Māori being Pānui - Reading & Tuhituhi - Writing.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the Directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working points for the Year 11 Academic Certificate

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria 
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

Year 11 Building and Construction provides students with a practical introduction to construction, carpentry, and the built environment. Through hands-on projects, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely design, construct, and evaluate a range of timber-based products while gaining an understanding of industry practices.

Throughout the course, students will learn how to safely select, use, and maintain a variety of hand and power tools while developing practical skills in measuring, marking out, cutting, joint construction, assembly, hardware installation, and finishing techniques. Students will apply these skills to produce high-quality projects that demonstrate accuracy, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

This course provides excellent preparation for Year 12 Building and Construction and is ideal for students considering future pathways in carpentry, construction, architecture, engineering, quantity surveying, project management, apprenticeships, or other trades within the construction industry.

Commerce is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing subjects, with the highest retention of students studying Business related courses at a tertiary level. Students will form a business group and run a legitimate business activity at school - Market Day. Through this, students will develop key communication and management skills for later on in life. Students will learn through theory and experience, about what is required to be a successful business person. 

Topics in this course focus on the internal features of business, decision making, consumer behavior & demand. Students will explore this within a local Rotorua tourism context including class visits to ZORB Rotorua. Students will also undertake research projects on the financial viability of a product,  with an opportunity for students to run their own business as part of an internal assessment, giving a chance to see and experience business success first-hand.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the Directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working points for the Year 11 Academic Certificate

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria 
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

The Year 11 Dance Course covers Solo and Group Performance, Choreography / Interpretation/ Dance  aspects, as well as theory based genres of dance. Classes will consist of a balance between practical and theory based lessons. It is recommended that students who are involved with our RBHS Dance Crew should take this course

Year 11 Design and Visual Communication provides students with a strong foundation in the knowledge, skills, and processes required for success in senior Design and Visual Communication. The course develops students' creativity, design thinking, and visual communication skills through a series of practical design projects.

Students complete four units throughout the year:

• Visual Communication Skills – developing freehand sketching, instrumental drawing, rendering, perspective, and digital drawing techniques.
• Spatial Design – designing architectural and environmental spaces while exploring the relationship between people, place, and function.
• Product Design – designing innovative products that respond to authentic needs and opportunities through an iterative design process.
• Presentation Design – communicating design ideas clearly and professionally using a range of visual and digital presentation techniques.

Throughout the course, students will investigate design briefs, explore and develop ideas, and communicate design solutions using a variety of visual communication methods. These include freehand sketching, instrumental drawing, rendering, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D modelling, model making, digital presentation, and graphic communication.

Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.

Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.

Year 11 Digital Art provides students with the opportunity to develop technical skills, creative confidence, and their own artistic identity through meaningful art-making experiences. Grounded in the diverse cultures of Aotearoa New Zealand, the course explores localised pūrākau, whakapapa, and artist models to inspire creative thinking and the development of original ideas. Students’ progress through drawing, digital software, and painting while building an understanding of creative production intent and visual moving images.

Throughout the year, students investigate and develop creative ideas through experimentation, design thinking, and digital production. They build skills in animation, visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, and digital storytelling while refining their technical and creative practice. The programme culminates in a Passion Project, where students independently explore a personally meaningful concept, producing a polished animation or VFX project that showcases their creativity, technical growth, and unique creative voice.

Year 11 Digital Technology introduces students to the creative and technical skills required to design and develop digital outcomes that solve authentic problems.

Students will build skills in computational thinking, programming, web development, digital media creation, and user-centred design while learning to work collaboratively and think critically. They will gain experience using a variety of industry-standard digital tools to create websites, interactive applications, digital graphics, photography, video, animation, and other multimedia content. They will also develop an understanding of coding, data, digital citizenship, and emerging technologies while strengthening their creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

This course provides excellent preparation for Year 12 Digital Technology and is ideal for students interested in programming, software development, game design, web design, digital media, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, engineering, and other technology-related careers.

In this course we aim to foster confident, creative, and culturally aware performers and collaborators who use drama to explore identity, express ideas, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Students of all levels will develop their craft, collaborate respectfully, and challenge themselves to take creative risks in pursuit of personal and collective storytelling.

Year 11 Engineering provides students with a practical introduction to engineering design, manufacturing, and metal fabrication. Through a range of hands-on projects, students develop the technical knowledge, practical skills, and safe working practices required to create high-quality engineered products while gaining an understanding of engineering processes and industry standards.

Throughout the course, students will learn to safely select, use, and maintain a variety of hand tools, machinery, and workshop equipment, including drill presses, metal lathes, grinders, and MIG welding equipment. Students will develop skills in measuring, marking out, cutting, shaping, machining, welding, and finishing a range of materials while producing projects that demonstrate precision, accuracy, and craftsmanship.

This course provides excellent preparation for Year 12 Engineering and is ideal for students considering future pathways in engineering, fabrication, machining, mechanical trades, automotive, manufacturing, industrial design, apprenticeships, or related technical industries.

Year 11 Engineering provides students with a practical introduction to engineering design, manufacturing, and metal fabrication. Through a range of hands-on projects, students develop the technical knowledge, practical skills, and safe working practices required to create high-quality engineered products while gaining an understanding of engineering processes and industry standards.

Throughout the course, students will learn to safely select, use, and maintain a variety of hand tools, machinery, and workshop equipment, including drill presses, metal lathes, grinders, and MIG welding equipment. Students will develop skills in measuring, marking out, cutting, shaping, machining, welding, and finishing a range of materials while producing projects that demonstrate precision, accuracy, and craftsmanship.

This course provides excellent preparation for Year 12 Engineering and is ideal for students considering future pathways in engineering, fabrication, machining, mechanical trades, automotive, manufacturing, industrial design, apprenticeships, or related technical industries.

Compulsory - 12 points

Year 11 Food and Hospitality provides students with a strong foundation in culinary skills, food preparation, and hospitality practices. Through practical, hands-on learning, students develop the knowledge, confidence, and technical skills required to work safely and effectively in a commercial kitchen while gaining an understanding of the hospitality industry. Throughout the course, students will learn a wide range of food preparation and cooking techniques, kitchen organisation, food safety and hygiene, nutrition, menu planning, and customer service. They will work both independently and collaboratively to prepare, present, and evaluate a variety of dishes while developing teamwork, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills.

This course provides excellent preparation for Year 12 Food and Hospitality and is ideal for students considering future pathways in hospitality, culinary arts, tourism, catering, food technology, or other service industries.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the Directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working points for the Year 11 Academic Certificate

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria 
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the Directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working points for the Year 11 Academic Certificat

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria 
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

This course is an integrated course combining the critical skills of Geography and History to explore people, place, and power through a shared lens. You will use geographic tools to examine local and global environments, while also investigating historical narratives that give meaning to those places. This course uses a place-based approach with a strong focus on Rotorua, Te Arawa stories, and significant Aotearoa histories, including the Tarawera eruption and the 28th Māori Battalion.Students will:

• Develop skills in mapping, data analysis, and source interpretation.
• Utilise Mātauranga Māori in conjunction with Western concepts to comprehend taiao (environment) and turangawaewae (identity).
• Explore contemporary and past issues of decision-making, justice, colonisation, and spatial/environmental change.
• Choose one optional external assessment to deepen their learning. 
• Experience korero with local experts  
• Have an overnight camp where they will experience the environment first-hand

In Carving, at this level the student will be working towards gaining Level One credits for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement.

The work completed throughout the year will be internally assessed and externally moderated. The moderation will be facilitated by an external expert panel in the field of Whakairo, to ensure consistency across the participating schools. 

The aim of the year is to extend the student’s knowledge and skills base. Encouraging the development of research skills, the extension of drawing skills necessary for the development of a successful carving design and manual skills. We will be introducing the graphics editor app Procreate into our programme for ākonga to explore a digital design learning component.

A substantial part of this year will be based around pouwhenua and taiaha - traditional fighting staffs (Rākau o te Riri). 

The Unit Standards will be assessed during the production of this assessment evidence.

Compulsory

The Year 11 Music Course covers Solo and Group Performance, Composition / songwriting / beat making  aspects, as well as theory based Score Reading and Aural aspects. Classes will consist of a balance between practical and theory based lessons.

This is an option for our elite music students where the aim is to foster excellence in musical performance, composition, and understanding, while developing confident, connected, and creative learners who contribute to the cultural life of our school and the wider community. 

Rotorua offers unrivalled access to Te Taiao, with world-class forests, lakes, rivers and geothermal landscapes right on our doorstep. Year 11 Outdoor Education embraces these local environments, providing authentic learning experiences that strengthen students' connection to place, people and culture while developing an appreciation for the unique natural and cultural heritage of our region.

This practical, adventure-based course develops the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate safely and responsibly in the outdoors. Through a balance of classroom learning and hands-on experiences, students build leadership, teamwork, communication, resilience, sound judgement and environmental stewardship.

Learning is centred around four key disciplines—water-based activities of rafting and canoeing, tramping, mountain biking and rock climbing—while also incorporating leadership, risk management, weather, navigation, river safety and environmental sustainability & kaitiakitanga. Students complete four portfolios that showcase their learning and personal development throughout each discipline, culminating in a final examination that brings together the knowledge and experiences gained across the year.

Whether continuing into Year 12 Outdoor Education or simply developing a lifelong passion for the outdoors, this course provides opportunities to challenge yourself, build meaningful relationships and discover what it means to thrive in Te Taiao.

This is a course designed for students who either are of Pasifika ethnicity or students who have a keen interest or want to engage more in the area of Pasifika. Students will study a range of topics from different subject areas with a Pasifika theme including Music Performance, Pacific Island Culture, Dance and Art.

In Year 11 Photography, students will be introduced to the foundational skills of photographic practice. They will learn how to confidently use a DSLR camera and explore the key conventions.

Students will gain practical experience using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance and refine their images, learning how to visually communicate ideas with clarity and creativity.

This course is framed by a localised Pūrākau (traditional narrative) that celebrates the rich cultural and historical identity of our Rohe (region), allowing students to create meaningful and connected visual stories.

Photography at Year 11 sets students up for success in both Level 2 and Level 3 Photography.

 It is an NCEA-approved subject that contributes to University Entrance.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components.  It includes elements of modern Physical Education and Health such as: anatomy, physiology, history of sport, biomechanics, motor learning, sports medicine and exercise prescription. You will be working towards  points for the Year 11 Academic Certificate. 

Te Rito Whakatipu - The Nurtured Shoot

This course introduces students to raranga, the Māori art of weaving, as both a cultural practice and a creative form of toi Māori. Students will develop foundational weaving skills while gaining an understanding of tikanga, the significance of harakeke, and the role of raranga in Māori culture and identity. Through a range of practical projects, students will learn traditional weaving techniques, create functional taonga, and build the knowledge and confidence needed for further study in senior Raranga.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the Directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working points for the Year 11 Academic Certificate

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria 
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

Compulsory Course Science

12pts

Students will learn that Te Ao Haka is born of its contexts i.e. Taiao, Atua and Kōrero Tuku Iho.   Students will learn to identify the unique tikanga and reo features of Te Ao Haka, and begin to use them in practice.  This is a theory based subject, however, there are performance based components as well.  

Please note the introduction of the Raukura Kapa Haka Academy. This is a new Academy starting in 2027. 

THE ACADEMY:

Raukura Kapa Haka Academy is a specialist pathway for boys who are serious about performing in Raukura, Rotorua Boys' High School's premier kapa haka rōpū. It combines Te Ao Haka learning with focused training, expert guidance and authentic experiences, developing disciplined performers who can contribute on regional and national stages.

TEINA PATHWAY: 

Years 9, 10, and 11 students who aspire to perform for Raukura may apply to join the full academy day. Selected teina continue their normal teaching and learning programme on the other four days. The academy day builds foundations in mōteatea, waiata-ā-ringa, poi, haka, discipline, stagecraft and Raukura tikanga, preparing boys for the senior Te Ao Haka pathway.

Compulsory Course Te Reo Māori Year 11 

12pts

Level 2 and 3 Carving (Stone and Bone)

This unique course on offer to Rotorua Boy’s High School learners is aimed at revisiting customary tribal narratives through practical application. A research component to their learning, introduces ākonga to the interconnectivity of ngā toi māori and one’s taiao (environment). Set in a composite learning environment of Year 12 and 13 learners, overarching kaupapa are delivered in accordance to NZQA levelled Unit Standards and are taught at the appropriate taumata (level). Traditional mediums (stone/ bone) are to be investigated, while contemporary materials (resins/ plastics) are to be explored. This course of study runs parallel to our well established Māori Carving programme, allowing ākonga with a strong arts focus, to potentially undertake both courses of study.

Year 12 Adventure Education is a practical, vocationally focused programme for students who learn best by doing. Local rivers, lakes, tracks and climbing areas become the classroom as students build confidence, teamwork, sound judgement and safe outdoor practice.

Across the year, students develop moving-water paddling skills; interpret weather information; complete an overnight tramp using maps, survival skills and two-way radios; design or construct outdoor clothing or equipment; prepare for and take part in rock climbing and abseiling; and build their Mountain Bike skills. 

Assessment is through 24 internally assessed Unit Standard credits. Evidence is gathered mainly through practical demonstrations, applied knowledge tasks and active participation in authentic outdoor settings. Students learn essential theory - including weather, preparation, navigation, communication, group contribution and safety - and apply it directly to practical performance and real outdoor decision-making.

This is a strong hands-on pathway, suiting students who want to demonstrate what they can do, build industry-relevant outdoor skills and develop transferable strengths for outdoor recreation, tourism, conservation, emergency services, trades and further vocational training.

Students taking this course have the opportunity to learn about livestock reproductive techniques, how the environment affects growth and how farmers and growers modify these factors, carry out an investigation based upon agriculture or horticulture, and participate in field work. This course is a great starting point for students who would like to explore a pathway in the farming, forestry or other Horticultural careers.

Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa. Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.

Students will use the skills learnt in the previous year and apply this to their own personal investigation. The student will be given the opportunity to initiate their own artwork and choose their own subject matter (what to paint and how to paint it). The student will discuss their idea with their teacher and negotiate an approach to the student selected subject matter. The focus of the course during this year has moved from an exploration of media in Level 1 to an exploration of personal subject matter and the development of a sustained body of evidence/work, based on established practice. 

The evidence of the art-making process will be accessed internally and the artworks themselves will be verified externally as a folio-board submission (approximately 12 artworks).

Supported by MITO and local businesses, Automotive StartUp has both theory eLearning and practical learning in our automotive workshop – it’s just like a mini-apprenticeship! This course offers an industry approved Automotive Micro-credential (Level 2, 20 credits). This course is designed to be followed by the level 3 Automotive Engineering programme that offers another micro-credential (level 3, 21 credits).

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA). 

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

In Level 2 Biology you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. You will study how cells are the basis for all of life, how genes are expressed, adaptations of plants and animals, and patterns in ecological communities. This course requires strong reading and writing skills to have success in assessments and external exams. Completion of the  two exams (below) are compulsory for this course. You will also carry out a series of practicals to assist in your learning.  

This programme leads into the Level 3 Biology course (3BIO).

Students taking this course will learn how to use and care for workshop machinery with precision while building take-home projects such as kitchen trays, storage boxes, and side tables. Different types of planning and communication skills are practiced to aid in customer satisfaction. 

Students will be expected to look after their work and conduct themselves according to workshop safety rules. All practical assessments include theory components to confirm understandings.

In Level 2 Chemistry you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. You will study oxidation reduction reactions, chemical reactivity  and the structure, bonding and properties of compounds and their energy changes. You will also carry out a series of practical investigations using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.  

This programme leads into the Level 3 Chemistry course (3CHE).

This integrated Level 2 Commerce course draws together key concepts from Accounting, Economics, and Business Studies, offering students a broad and practical understanding of how large businesses operate within Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Building on the foundational knowledge developed in Level 1 Commerce, students will expand their understanding of how businesses make financial decisions, respond to economic influences, and operate strategically in competitive environments.

Through real-world contexts and local case studies, ākonga will explore topics such as financial reporting, market forces, business growth, and the impacts of government policy. The course is designed to strengthen financial literacy, critical thinking, and enterprise skills, providing a solid platform for further study or career pathways in business and economics

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA). 

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

The Level 2 Dance Course covers a range of Dance concepts including, Performing a Solo dance, Group Dance, learning how to Choreograph and Dance analysis. 

Level 2 Design and Visual Communication focuses on two of three major design disciplines: Spatial Design, Product Design and Presentation Design. Students will complete two projects, from the three disciplines. Their assignments will focus on using visual communication techniques of sketching, collage, rendering, overlays, mockups and models, photography and digital media (digital drawing, modelling, animation, graphic design). Students will be offered a minimum of 16 credits with opportunities to select from the standards listed below.

This course aims to develop skills in Digital technology in a context that opens the way for career paths across the ICT Spectrum. Students will do three Internal Achievement Standards and one External. Advanced techniques in Databases, Website Design and Programming is covered in this course.

In this course we aim to foster confident, creative, and culturally aware performers and collaborators who use drama to explore identity, express ideas, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Students of all levels will develop their craft, collaborate respectfully, and challenge themselves to take creative risks in pursuit of personal and collective storytelling.

Students have the opportunity to make a range of projects. They will learn how to use machines such as milling machines, metal lathes and MIG welders whilst learning Core skills from the Engineering trade. As with all subjects in the technology department, there is a certain amount of theory that is compulsory to pass the course. Half the course is theory based and this is completed over the year.

Project/s Folding Trolley

English is the study, use, and enjoyment of the English language, communicated orally, visually, and in writing.  In Aotearoa New Zealand, the study of English incorporates Mātauranga Māori and considers our place in the Pacific.  By understanding how language works, ākonga are equipped to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.

This course consists of internal and external Unit and Achievement Standards. The course is designed to lead students towards attaining Level 2 UE Literacy and NCEA Level 2. Students will be assessed on their ability to understand meaning in written and visual texts as well as their ability to create their own meaning. 

English is the study, use, and enjoyment of the English language, communicated orally, visually, and in writing.  In Aotearoa New Zealand, the study of English incorporates Mātauranga Māori and considers our place in the Pacific.  By understanding how language works, ākonga are equipped to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.

This course consists of internal Unit and Achievement Standards. The course is designed to lead students towards attaining NCEA Level 2 through a practical pathway. 

This qualification recognizes the competence, knowledge, and skills required for cooking routine food dishes in a commercial kitchen.  It is awarded to people who are able to demonstrate a range of foundation cookery methods and a limited range of preparation techniques, using fresh produce and ready prepared products, under supervision.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA). 

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

Selected Year 12 and Year 13 students can spend one day each week with the Bay of Plenty Futures Academy developing practical, industry-relevant skills while remaining fully enrolled at Rotorua Boys' High School. Courses are delivered through training providers including Toi Ohomai and ETCO.

Students may gain NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 credits, industry-recognised standards and valuable vocational experience. These Ministry of Education-funded programmes can support pathways into apprenticeships, tertiary study or employment.

Places are limited. Students need a genuine interest in a vocational or trades pathway, a positive attitude to learning, and a strong commitment to attendance, participation, behaviour and their school programme.

You will develop geographic research skills and do a lot of work outside the classroom.  You will gain a better understanding of how city environments develop and grow. You will also examine specific New Zealand issues like how to manage waste and also look at issues such as global warming. On a global scale, you will gain an understanding of differences in development between countries.You will be able to gain UE Literacy credits in this particular Geography course. 

Geography is becoming increasingly important as a career, as the issue of resources and the future sustainable use of these resources becomes ever more critical. Environmental issues and resource consent are directly linked to the assessments we do in Geography.   

This History course will be focused on significant historical events that have had an impact on shaping the current world around us and who we are as New Zealanders. The course will begin by exploring the origins of the extreme right-wing dictatorship, Nazi Germany. It will then explore the causes and effects of the Nazi Rise to Power, focusing on key ideas such as extremism, democracy and dictatorship. Other potential topics are New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA). 

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

The aim of the year is to provide an environment where students can use the skills developed in the previous year and explore themes that are of personal significance. The student will be encouraged to produce a body of work that contains research, drawings and carved work. The student will be given greater freedom to pursue a pathway through Whakairo that is significant to them. There will be a process of negotiation and review that supports the student’s investigations. We will be introducing the graphics editor app Procreate into our programme for ākonga to explore a digital design learning component. The work completed throughout the year will be internally assessed and externally moderated. The Unit Standard moderation will be facilitated by an external expert panel in the field of Whakairo to ensure consistency across the participating schools.

Building on the foundation developed in Level 1, this course deepens students’ understanding of Mathematics and Statistics through real-world applications and more advanced problem-solving. Mathematics continues to be a vital part of every future learning and career pathway—the more mathematics you know, the more powerful and confident your decisions will be and more opportunities will be open to you. 

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This course contains five Level 2 Achievement Standards, offering up to 13 internal credits. Students will engage with a range of mathematical and statistical methods that are relevant to real-life situations and future study. It  is designed for mainstream mathematics students, and successful completion will prepare them to progress into either 3MAT (Mathematics) or 3MAC (Mathematics with Calculus) in 2027. Students also have the opportunity to opt into an external examination at the end of the year. This is ideal for those seeking the challenge of deeper learning, aiming for a Merit or Excellence endorsement, or wishing to further extend their mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This course builds on the foundations of Level 1 and continues to focus on practical mathematics and statistics connected to everyday life. Students will develop further skills in problem solving, financial literacy, and interpreting the world around them using mathematical thinking. Topics include real-life budgeting, financial decision-making, insurance, study loans, and using maths to solve geometric and network-based problems.

Students will complete a mix of Achievement Standards and Unit Standards, gaining credits toward NCEA Level 2. The mathematical content includes: real-world contexts involving measurement and solving problems such as transport routes, scheduling, and connections between people or places.

The personal finance component explores key life skills including: Understanding the financial impact of life events (e.g., starting work, studying, retirement), comparing tertiary funding options, including student loans and allowances, creating and adjusting a household budget, and understanding how insurance can protect against financial risk.

This course is ideal for students who want to further  strengthen their real-world maths and financial literacy skills before leaving school or finishing their formal study of mathematics. 

This course is designed for students who have a sound understanding of the principles of Mathematics. Students will study a mixture of 5 internal and 2 external Level 2 Standards and will enable students to progress onto any of the Level 3 Mathematics courses in 2028.

The Level 2 Music Course covers Practical Solo and Group Performance and Composition / songwriting / beat making  aspects, as well as theory based Score Reading and Aural aspects. Students will also investigate an aspect of NZ Music of their choice. There are also plenty of opportunities to work with Music digital technology within the composition and recording realm. Classes will consist of a balance between practical and theory based lessons.

This is an option for our elite music students where the aim is to foster excellence in musical performance, composition, and understanding, while developing confident, connected, and creative learners who contribute to the cultural life of our school and the wider community.

Year 12 Outdoor Education is an academically challenging and highly practical programme that uses the lakes, forests, trails and climbing areas around Rotorua as an authentic learning environment. Students learn through direct experience, then apply theory to examine, analyse and evaluate leadership, group processes, risk management and the role of physical activity in young people's lives.

Across the year, students develop practical competence in contexts that may include canoeing, tramping, navigation, bushcraft, rock climbing, abseiling and a student-planned outdoor experience. These experiences provide the evidence and real-world context for written reports, critical reflection, research, planning and analysis. The course offers up to 16 internally assessed NCEA Level 2 Achievement Standard credits and provides opportunities for course endorsement.

This course is well suited to students who enjoy academic thinking but also want to test ideas through meaningful practical experiences. Students strengthen communication, self-management, problem-solving, decision-making and the ability to justify conclusions using evidence - skills that support success across senior NCEA and future tertiary study.

The course develops a balanced combination of academic understanding and practical capability. Students build confidence in leadership, safety judgement, communication, self-management and technical outdoor skills while learning to explain, analyse and justify decisions using evidence. These transferable skills support future study and vocational pathways in outdoor recreation, tourism, sport and exercise, education, environmental studies, emergency services and other people-focused industries. 

This is a course designed for students who either are of Pasifika ethnicity or students who have a keen interest or want to engage more in the area of Pasifika. Students will study a range of topics from different subject areas with a Pasifika theme including Music Performance, Pacific Island Culture and Dance..

To introduce students to the fundamentals of photography, including technical aspects such as camera operation, lighting, composition, and editing. To foster creativity and artistic expression through  two practical photography internals. To equip students with digital editing skills using Adobe Photoshop, enhancing their ability to manipulate and enhance photographs effectively. Students will be working towards a portfolio of work, learning to use a variety of conventions to show development of ideas using Artist Models to support the student's journey.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components.  It includes elements of modern Physical Education and Health such as: anatomy, physiology, history of sport, biomechanics, motor learning, sports medicine and exercise prescription. You will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

In Level 2 Physics you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. You will study mechanics, waves, atomic and nuclear physics and physics relevant to selected contexts. You will also carry out a series of practical investigations. 

This programme leads into the Level 3 Physics course (3PHY).

Te Ara Whatu - The Path of Weaving

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain NCEA Level 2 credits while developing traditional Māori weaving skills and cultural knowledge. Students will learn appropriate tikanga for harvesting and preparing harakeke, create a range of woven taonga using both raranga and whatu techniques, and investigate the design, purpose, and significance of traditional kete. The course also encourages students to present and share their work with pride, fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and a deeper appreciation of Māori knowledge and practices.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 2 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA). 

Candidates will be expected to:

• Meet the selection criteria
• Demonstrate skills, concepts and understandings in the Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, the Movement Concepts and Motor Skills and Health Communities and Environments curriculum strands.
• Apply these skills, concepts and understandings in a physical setting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and use interpersonal skills.
• Participate consistently and effectively in all class settings.

In Level 2 Applied  Science you will be working towards internal achievement standards that include all areas of science. The contexts covered will depend on the skills and interests of the students in the course and will be as interactive as possible. A possible course is outlined below, it includes biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science standards.

Please note the exciting addition of the Raukura Kapa Haka Academy.

THE ACADEMY:

Raukura Kapa Haka Academy is a specialist pathway for boys who are serious about performing in Raukura, Rotorua Boys' High School's premier kapa haka rōpū. It combines Te Ao Haka learning with focused training, expert guidance and authentic experiences, developing disciplined performers who can contribute on regional and national stages.

TUAKANA PATHWAY:  

Senior students in the academy follow the Te Ao Haka programme. Theory, analysis and course work are completed through timetabled classes during the week. One full academy day each week brings the learning to life through item development, rehearsals, workshops, wānanga, performance experiences and specialist tutoring. The intended pathway targets NCEA Levels 2 and 3, with approximately 20 to 30 credits available depending on final programme design and individual course selection.

TEINA PATHWAY: 

Years 9, 10, and 11 students who aspire to perform for Raukura may apply to join the full academy day. Selected teina continue their normal teaching and learning programme on the other four days. The academy day builds foundations in mōteatea, waiata-ā-ringa, poi, haka, discipline, stagecraft and Raukura tikanga, preparing boys for the senior Te Ao Haka pathway.

ENTRY AND EXPECTATIONS:  

Places are limited and entry is by application and selection. Boys must show genuine commitment to kapa haka, excellent attendance and behaviour, consistent effort, openness to feedback and the ability to keep up with their wider learning programme. A tuakana-teina model, supported by expert tutors and Raukura alumni, will strengthen skill, confidence, connection and collective standards.

APPLICATIONS AND ENQUIRIES: TE WHARE O RAUKURA  |  [email protected]  |  RBHS.SCHOOL.NZ

Programme structure and credit offering are subject to final 2027 confirmation.

Students will explore how innovation and creativity in Te Ao Haka is informed by interpretation of context.  They will explore how creativity and innovation can also be used to link the past and the present through narratives.  Students will explore their point of view through observing components, elements and features of performance.  This is a theory based subject but has some performance components as well.  

Students are required to complete three internal assessment portfolios of work. Each internal assessment portfolio will consist of at least two samples of work from a range of different contexts and for different purposes. The three internal assessment portfolios will focus on three areas of Te Reo Māori being Whakarongo –Listening; Kōrero – Speaking; Waihanga Tuhinga – Creative Writing. The two external assessment components focus on two areas of Te Reo Māori being Pānui - Reading & Tuhituhi - Writing.

This Level 2 Tourism course provides ākonga with a strong foundation in the people, places, and processes that shape the tourism industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. With a focus on real-world application and Rotorua’s vibrant tourism sector, students will explore how tourism both reflects and impacts our culture, environment, and communities.

Students will examine the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism—both positive and negative—and begin to develop the skills to respond to these in a sustainable and culturally aware way. They will also explore the history of tourism in Aotearoa, gaining insight into how it has evolved over time and what role tangata whenua have played in its development.

Ākonga will learn about different career pathways and work roles in tourism and investigate what makes Aotearoa a world-class destination. The course is designed to open doors to further study or employment in tourism, while also helping students see the local industry around them with fresh eyes—right here in the heart of Rotorua, te manawa o te ao tāpoi (the heart of tourism in Aotearoa).

Students are required to complete three internal assessment portfolios of work. Each internal assessment portfolio will consist of at least two samples of work from a range of different contexts and for different purposes. The three internal assessment portfolios will focus on three areas of Te Reo Māori being Whakarongo –Listening; Kōrero – Speaking; Waihanga Tuhinga – Creative Writing. The two external assessment components focus on two areas of Te Reo Māori being Pānui - Reading & Tuhituhi - Writing.

Level 3 Adventure Education is a practical, skills-based course for students who learn best by doing. Local rivers, climbing areas, forests and mountain-bike trails become the classroom as students build real outdoor recreation skills and confidence.

Students work towards industry-relevant Unit Standards through paddling on Class 2 water, river crossing, top-rope and lead climbing, abseiling, grade 3 mountain biking, weather interpretation, survival, navigation and leading younger students in an outdoor activity. The focus is on safe practice, teamwork, sound judgement, preparation and reliable performance in authentic outdoor settings.

The course offers 20 internally assessed NCEA Level 3 credits and is designed for students considering vocational pathways in outdoor recreation, adventure tourism, guiding, instruction, emergency services, conservation, sport and recreation, or further certificate and diploma study. Unit Standards are assessed as Achieved or Not Achieved and are not University Entrance approved. 

Students taking this course have the opportunity to learn about factors affecting profitability in Agricultural business as well as the process involved in meeting market requirements. Students will also participate  in field work to gain depth of understanding in these topics. This course is a great starting point for students who would like to explore a pathway in the farming, forestry or other Horticultural careers.

Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa. Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.

Students will extend their Art-making, using the strategies learnt in the previous year. The student will be given the opportunity to initiate their own artwork, choose their own subject matter (what to paint and how to paint it). The student will discuss their idea with their teacher and negotiate an approach to the student selected subject matter. The focus of the course during this year is very similar to the Level 2 year, however the folio-board submission is larger and the art-making idea must be robust enough to sustain the student’s investigations. 

The evidence of the art-making process will be accessed internally. The artworks will be submitted as a folio board submission and assessed externally by a marking panel.

Supported by MITO and local businesses, Automotive Accelerate has both theory eLearning and practical learning in our automotive workshop – it’s just like a mini-apprenticeship! This course offers an industry approved Automotive Micro-credential (level 3, 21 credits).

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

In Level 3 Biology you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. Level 3 Biology is a UE approved subject, although you will need to pass an external achievement standard to meet the requirements of UE in this course. You will study how plants and animals respond to their environment, maintaining a stable internal environment by homeostasis, techniques for genetic transfer and various socioscientific issues.  

This course leads on to study in the Biological Sciences or other related branches of science at University.

Level 2 and 3 Carving (Stone and Bone)

This unique course on offer to Rotorua Boy’s High School learners is aimed at revisiting customary tribal narratives through practical application. A research component to their learning, introduces ākonga to the interconnectivity of ngā toi māori and one’s taiao (environment). Set in a composite learning environment of Year 12 and 13 learners, overarching kaupapa are delivered in accordance to NZQA levelled Unit Standards and are taught at the appropriate taumata (level). Traditional mediums (stone/ bone) are to be investigated, while contemporary materials (resins/ plastics) are to be explored. This course of study runs parallel to our well established Māori Carving programme, allowing ākonga with a strong arts focus, to potentially undertake both courses of study.

This programme gives you the foundation of industry knowledge and skills that will enhance your ability to gain employment and apprenticeships in the building and construction sector. You will have the theoretical knowledge and the introductory practical skills that are valued by employers selecting new apprentices.

Students must select 4 other subjects.

This building academy provides a pathway for young people to enter the trades. Working under the supervision of a registered builder and teachers, the students gain experience in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, while helping build real homes for the community. 

Students in this course are offered enough credits to gain Level 3 certificate.

This is a full time programme.

Business Studies is one of Aotearoa’s fastest-growing subjects, with the highest retention of students studying Business related courses at a tertiary level. In Level 2 Business Studies, students covered a wide range of content in the context of national businesses. In Level 3, students will have the opportunity to complete two internals throughout the year, focusing on creating a marketing plan for their own businesses, then carrying out, with consultation, an innovative and sustainable business activity. Students will use knowledge gained to look at businesses in a global context and develop a strategic response to internal factors such as innovation, quality and change management.

In Level 3 Chemistry you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. Level 3 Chemistry is a UE approved subject, although you will need to pass an external achievement standard to meet the requirements of UE in this course. You will study oxidation reduction processes, organic chemistry, how to use spectroscopy to identify compounds, structure bonding and energy changes of compounds and chemical processes that occur in the world around us.  

This course leads on to study in the Chemical Sciences or other related branches of science at University.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

The Level 3 Dance Course covers a range of Dance concepts including, Performing a Solo dance, Group Dance, learning how to Choreograph and Dance analysis. 

Level 3 Design and Visual Communication focuses on one of two major design disciplines: Spatial Design and Product Design with the option of a further Presentation Design. Their assignments will focus on using visual communication techniques of sketching, collage, rendering, overlays, mockups and models, photography and digital media. They will also explore ideas through visual communication strategies that support regenerating and interrogating design ideas. 

Design and Visual Communication can lead to careers in Architecture, Building & Construction, Engineering, Industrial Design, Media Design and many other innovative pathways.

This course covers a range of digital concepts to prepare students for further study or the workplace. To participate in our future society students need to be able to adapt to change, research, think critically; work creatively, plan, & self-assess to enable them to communicate ideas in a creative & critical way. This course helps students to develop these skills in a context that opens the way for career paths across the ICT Spectrum. Students will do three Internal Achievement Standards and one External. At Level 3, complex techniques in Databases, Website Design and Programming are covered.

In this course we aim to foster confident, creative, and culturally aware performers and collaborators who use drama to explore identity, express ideas, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Students of all levels will develop their craft, collaborate respectfully, and challenge themselves to take creative risks in pursuit of personal and collective storytelling.

This course aims to develop skills in the areas of product design and engineering manufacturing. Successful participation requires

students to research, think critically, work creatively, plan, and self-assess to enable them to communicate ideas in a creative &

critical way. This course will offer 18 credits in Unit Standards. Students will be required to explore real life engineering skills.

Students will learn skills that transfer directly to industry with developing and reading plans and welding skills in various positions.

The students will produce an axle/pizza oven as the project for the year.

English is the study, use, and enjoyment of the English language, communicated orally, visually, and in writing.  In Aotearoa New Zealand, the study of English incorporates Mātauranga Māori and considers our place in the Pacific.  By understanding how language works, ākonga are equipped to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.

This course consists of internal and external achievement standards. It is designed to support students in higher education.  Critical thinking skills are honed in this course, and students are encouraged to consider their place in the world through various lenses and contexts presented to them through a variety of text types and styles. Students will be assessed on their ability to understand meaning in written and visual texts as well as their ability to create their own meaning. 

Engish as a Second Language (ESOL)

This Level 3 Financial Literacy course empowers ākonga with the practical skills and critical thinking needed to make informed financial decisions in real-world contexts. Covering topics such as income generation, credit and debt management, budgeting, investment, home ownership, and financial risk, students gain the tools to build a secure financial future. Grounded in the values of whai rawa and kaitiakitanga, the course is culturally responsive, future-focused, and relevant to life in Aotearoa.

Level 3 Hospitality is a course that is designed to build confidence in students to be able to reach a level where they can work in a commercial context comfortably. Service IQ (New Zealand) provides assistance with both the theoretical and practical components of the course. The Workforce Development Council Ringa Hora sets and regulates the qualification which is delivered.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

FUTURES ACADEMY

ONE DAY A WEEK. REAL SKILLS. REAL OPPORTUNITIES. REAL FUTURES.

Selected Year 12 and Year 13 students can spend one day each week with the Bay of Plenty Futures Academy developing practical, industry-relevant skills while remaining fully enrolled at Rotorua Boys' High School. Courses are delivered through training providers including Toi Ohomai and ETCO.

Students may gain NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 credits, industry-recognised standards and valuable vocational experience. These Ministry of Education-funded programmes can support pathways into apprenticeships, tertiary study or employment.

Places are limited. Students need a genuine interest in a vocational or trades pathway, a positive attitude to learning, and a strong commitment to attendance, participation, behaviour and their school programme.

This course can be passed doing only Internal Assessments. This course provides the opportunity to gain UE Literacy.The skills developed in Geography are transferable and applicable to a wide range of other tertiary study areas.

This year you will further develop your geographic skills with time spent outside the classroom doing field work. The focus for this year is on natural processes such as fluvial erosion, transportation and deposition and cultural processes such as event planning and urban decision making processes. 

Geography is becoming increasingly important as a career, as the issue of resources and the future sustainable use of these resources, becomes ever more important. Environmental issues and resource consent are directly linked to the assessments we do in Geography.  

Geography’s emphasis on the interaction between groups, individuals and communities creates career opportunities in the field of Crown / Iwi Treaty issues. 

The course work gives students the opportunity to gain key research, inquiry and writing skills which will either support students in the working industry and in particular, higher education. In Year 13 the contexts will focus primarily on the origins of World War I, leading to the Gallipoli Campaign, and our involvement as New Zealanders. We will also investigate contested historical events such as the New Zealand Wars and impacts of colonisation or The Vietnam War.  There may also be the opportunity to explore topics in Aotearoa prior colonisation. This course provides the opportunity to gain UE Literacy.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

The aim as in the previous year’s course is to provide an environment where students can use the skills developed and explore themes that are of personal significance. The student will be encouraged to produce a body of work that contains research, drawings and carved work. The student will be given greater freedom to pursue a pathway through Whakairo that is significant to them. There will be a process of negotiation and review that supports the student’s investigations. We will be introducing the graphics editor app Procreate into our programme for ākonga to explore a digital design learning component. The work completed throughout the year will be internally assessed and externally moderated. The moderation will be facilitated by an external expert panel in the field of Whakairo, to ensure consistency across the participating schools.

This course contains six Level Three internal assessed Achievement Standards given a total of 20 possible credits. It is ideal for
mainstream Mathematics students who are capable of gaining Achieved, Merit or Excellence grades in these assessments but who
do not want to enter any external assessments. The course covers a mixture of Statistics and Calculus standards. There is the
opportunity to opt in to an external examination worth 4 credits. This is for those students aiming for the extra recognition of a
Merit or Excellent subject endorsement or who just want the extra challenge.

This is a full mathematics course for those students who are interested in working towards externals and scholarships in Calculus.
This is an ideal course for students looking to study subjects such as Science, Engineering or Economics at University. The
manipulation of algebra and the fundamentals of Calculus are an integral part of the calculus course so students need to be fully
proficient in both components. Students may also study the 3MAT course for a second UE approved subject. Students can gain
further recognition of their achievement with a Merit and Excellence endorsement for this subject.

This full mathematics course is designed for students who wish to continue developing their understanding of algebra, number, trigonometry, and calculus in a supportive, internally assessed environment. It is ideal for students who are not planning to sit external exams or who prefer to focus on practical application and consistent progress throughout the year.

The Level 3 Music Course covers Solo and Group Performance, Composition / songwriting / beat making  aspects, as well as Theory and Research based assessments. Students will also study and analyse pieces of Music. There is plenty of opportunity to use Music digitial technologies within the realms of composition and recording. Classes will consist of a balance between practical and theory based lessons. 

This is an option for our elite music students where the aim is to foster excellence in musical performance, composition, and understanding, while developing confident, connected, and creative learners who contribute to the cultural life of our school and the wider community. 

Year 13 Outdoor Education is an adventurous, practical and academically rigorous programme that builds on the foundations developed in Year 12. Students learn through real outdoor challenges, using local rivers, climbing areas, forests and mountain-bike trails as their classroom.

Across the year, students develop leadership, sound judgement, risk-management and decision-making skills while becoming increasingly confident at managing themselves and others. Learning experiences may include rafting and river rescue, lead rock climbing, mountain biking, bushcraft and a challenging multi-day journey through varied outdoor environments.

The course offers up to 19 internally assessed NCEA Level 3 Achievement Standard credits. It is a University Entrance approved subject when the required Achievement Standards are gained, and it provides strong preparation for tertiary study, outdoor recreation, tourism, sport, education, emergency services and leadership pathways. 

This is a course designed for students who either are of Pasifika ethnicity or students who have a keen interest or want to engage more in the area of Pasifika. Students will study a range of topics from different subject areas with a Pasifika theme including Music Performance, Pacific Island Culture and Dance..

To introduce students to the fundamentals of photography, including technical aspects such as camera operation, lighting, composition, and editing. To foster creativity and artistic expression through two practical photography internals. To equip students with digital editing skills using Adobe Photoshop, enhancing their ability to manipulate and enhance photographs effectively. Students will be working towards a 3 x A1 portfolio of work, learning to show a variety of conventions to show regeneration and development of ideas using Artist Models to support propositions.

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components.  It includes elements of modern Physical Education and Health such as: anatomy, physiology, history of sport, biomechanics, motor learning, sports medicine and exercise prescription. You will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

In Level 3 Physics you will be working towards a mixture of internal and external achievement standards. Level 3 Physics is a UE approved subject, although you will need to pass an external achievement standard to meet the requirements of UE in this course. You will study mechanics systems, modern physics, and how physics applies to selected contexts. You will also carry out a series of practical investigations..  

This course leads on to study in Engineering, Physical Sciences or other related branches of science at University.

The course provides students with an understanding of the knowledge, skills, attributes and attitudes associated with policing in New Zealand. Upon completion, students receive a certificate of completion. It will be a programme offered in association with the NZ Police to help prepare boys for entry to Police College/Police Training at the beginning of 2028. 

Topics covered include: 

1. The context of policing in New Zealand
2. Relevant legislation, policies, strategies, procedures and ethics within policing in New Zealand
3. The integration of theory and practice associated with policing.

Te Puāwaitanga - The Flourishing 

Students are required to complete 4 internal assessments, and 2 external assessments, all in Te Reo Māori for NCEA Level 3 Te Reo Rangatira. 

Students may also sit the Scholarship Te Reo Māori Exam. 

This is a course that has both practical and theoretical components. The academy course is contextualized to students' chosen code through the physical education curriculum. The course allows the opportunity for students to develop pathways in their chosen code and will involve practical sessions with the directors to enhance skills and concepts in their sport. Participants will be working towards Level 3 credits for the National Certificate of Achievement in Education (NCEA).  

Please note the exciting addition of the Raukura Kapa Haka Academy.

THE ACADEMY:

Raukura Kapa Haka Academy is a specialist pathway for boys who are serious about performing in Raukura, Rotorua Boys' High School's premier kapa haka rōpū. It combines Te Ao Haka learning with focused training, expert guidance and authentic experiences, developing disciplined performers who can contribute on regional and national stages.

TUAKANA PATHWAY:  

Senior students in the academy follow the Te Ao Haka programme. Theory, analysis and course work are completed through timetabled classes during the week. One full academy day each week brings the learning to life through item development, rehearsals, workshops, wānanga, performance experiences and specialist tutoring. The intended pathway targets NCEA Levels 2 and 3, with approximately 20 to 30 credits available depending on final programme design and individual course selection.

TEINA PATHWAY: 

Years 9, 10, and 11 students who aspire to perform for Raukura may apply to join the full academy day. Selected teina continue their normal teaching and learning programme on the other four days. The academy day builds foundations in mōteatea, waiata-ā-ringa, poi, haka, discipline, stagecraft and Raukura tikanga, preparing boys for the senior Te Ao Haka pathway.

ENTRY AND EXPECTATIONS:  

Places are limited and entry is by application and selection. Boys must show genuine commitment to kapa haka, excellent attendance and behaviour, consistent effort, openness to feedback and the ability to keep up with their wider learning programme. A tuakana-teina model, supported by expert tutors and Raukura alumni, will strengthen skill, confidence, connection and collective standards.

APPLICATIONS AND ENQUIRIES: TE WHARE O RAUKURA  |  [email protected]  |  RBHS.SCHOOL.NZ

Programme structure and credit offering are subject to final 2027 confirmation.

Students will explore how innovation and creativity in Te Ao Haka is informed by interpretation of context.  They will explore how creativity and innovation can also be used to link the past and the present through narratives.  Students will explore their point of view through observing components, elements and features of performance.  This is a theory based subject but has some performance components as well.  

Students are required to complete three internal assessment portfolios of work. Each internal assessment portfolio will consist of at least two samples of work from a range of different contexts and for different purposes. The three internal assessment portfolios will focus on three areas of Te Reo Māori being Whakarongo –Listening; Kōrero – Speaking; Waihanga Tuhinga – Creative Writing. The two external assessment components focus on two areas of Te Reo Māori being Pānui - Reading & Tuhituhi - Writing.

This Level 3 Tourism course offers a practical and culturally responsive introduction to Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism industry, with a strong local focus on Rotorua’s unique visitor economy. Designed as a pathway into further study and employment in tourism and hospitality, this course gets students out of the classroom and into the local tourism landscape to learn directly from the region’s world-class attractions and operators.

Ākonga will explore the cultural significance of natural and manmade attractions, with a special emphasis on Tourism Māori and the values of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, and the importance of place (whenua) in creating meaningful visitor experiences. Students will also develop the skills to describe, promote, and understand New Zealand destinations and regions, learning what draws tourists to our shores and how to communicate those offerings effectively.

Whether students are interested in guiding, marketing, hospitality, or cultural tourism, this course provides a hands-on, locally grounded foundation for success in the industry—right here in the heart of Rotorua, one of Aotearoa’s most iconic tourism destinations.