Waiopehu College

Students will learn the fundamentals of design by creating characters and wearable art style creations in this course. Students will also have the opportunity to learn a range of basic fashion, drawing and creative skills as they create a range of wearable items throughout the course.

Creativity & Innovation

Working with others, you will create an original high-quality video that you will be able to publish online. You will learn to use a story board to design and plan a video. You will then film and edit your video, adding awesome effects and transitions that follow the rules of video and media production.  

This course is for students who enjoy viewing and reading about real people in real life situations.  It is also for students who enjoy looking into the past to see how events can have an impact on our current lives. This genre includes non-fiction texts centred around tales of courage and real life stories and around social interaction and our own human failings and strengths. 

Students may also study the way myths and legends of our ancestors and our own cultural background can shape who we are and what we value.  Students  will apply their learning to writing and presenting their own stories, either from their own lives or a person of significance to them.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses  teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories of real people or legends and myths from our historical past.

This course is for students who enjoy viewing and reading about characters living in other worlds who may have special abilities or are sent on a quest.  

You will learn about the ways dystopian, fantasy or science-fiction worlds are developed to make them real to their audience; then, how to create your own. 

Classes will involve the study of texts set in 'other worlds' and the characters who live in them. Lessons will look at the techniques used by writers and directors to immerse us to the extent that we feel fear and relief on behalf of the characters we engage with. Through this study you will learn the skills to write about this analysis, as well as create your own narratives and present them through a range of different options.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories of characters in other fictional worlds.

This course is for students who enjoy the world of technology and futuristic or dystopian worlds. 

You will learn about the way futuristic texts are created using visual and verbal language techniques and how these fictional characters can become relatable to us.  You will also learn how this genre of texts are created to warn society of issues that could harm us.

Classes will involve exploring a range of literature:  apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic literature, dystopian literature, science fiction, texts related to artificial intelligence and gaming. 

There will be opportunities to study and analyse a range of written and visual texts that will develop your thinking and writing skills. Learning will also involve creating your own texts in this genre. 

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses  teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts with a  dystopian or futuristic theme.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

This course is for students who enjoy exploring both true and fictional stories focused on criminals and the crimes they commit.  You will look at some real life crime investigations and give your own opinion in writing of what you thought of the evidence given.  You will also get the chance to say whether you believe the right person has been convicted of the crime and if you believe justice was served. 

Classes will also involve the study of film that follows the stories of villains and their crimes. During this study you will analyse how directors have used film techniques to convey the tension involved and convince the audience of who is in the wrong.  The course will also involve looking at some of the most famous bad guy characters. You will apply this learning to create your own villain and write your own short story.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques. However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories about the bad guys of literature and the real world.

Creativity & Innovation

FUNMusic is a course for students who want to learn about music and how to play an instrument. This course assumes you have no knowledge of how to play a musical instrument.

At the beginning of the course you will be asked which instrument you would like to have lessons on. We offer:

• Keyboard/Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Vocals

You will also learn some of the fundamental skills of music, including:

• Theory
• Aural
• Composition - using SoundTrap

In FUNMusic we will complete three Achievements:

• Music Fundamentals: Here we will start with researching a music topic of your choice. This achievement also includes showing knowledge of music theory.
• Music Composition: You will have the opportunity to create your own music. You will begin to learn how to build a piece of music from scratch using SoundTrap.
• Music Performance: Everyone will get to perform as part of a small group on an instrument. The performance will take place in front of the class.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who have a passion for food and might be interested to find out where this could possibly lead as a career path. Even if you don't want to pursue it as a career if you love food this could be the course for you. You will learn how to extend your cookery skills allowing you to experience a wide range of foods available in our local community and further afield. This subject leads onto our Food and Nutrition, and Catering and Hospitality courses in the senior school. Classes will involve the opportunity to run a Pop-up Shop where you will look at product design, food production and customer service. We will open this Pop-up Shop to the school community so that your friends can see what you have been up to. We will look to work with local suppliers to run this event.

Community & Society

This course is for students who want to learn a range of basic skills that you need on a day- to -day basis. You will learn more about how to cook basic meals for yourself and the family, gardening, budgeting and shopping for food, creating a CV, setting up a bank account and budgeting your money, volunteering in the community, exploring future pathways etc.  Classes will involve a range of hands-on activities along with some theory work. You will go out into the community when we look at ways we can volunteer etc. You will also have input as a class as to what new skills you would like to learn more about.

This course is for students who enjoy or want to learn more about dance. You will learn the fundamental skills of dance, including learning contemporary and hip hop dance styles.

Classes will involve deepening understanding of the choreographic process to help students clearly communicate their ideas through their choreography. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph dances to be performed publicly at events.

This course is for students who are interested in drama and want to perform.  It is also for students who want to try drama, but are not keen on being centre stage, to gain the understanding of the elements and conversations of drama and explore their own creativeness through technical theatre.  You will learn about the elements, conventions and techniques of drama that will enable you to perform existing drama scripts and devise (create) drama performances that are original and your own.  We will explore why drama is so intriguing to humans and how we can use this to communicate and heal.  At the end of the semester, we will perform a mini production.

Te Whakatōtanga

This is an introductory course in Te Reo Māori and is one semester. You will learn to understand simple sentence patterns and vocabulary. You will learn to greet, farewell and acknowledge  people. You will also learn numbers, days of the week and months of the year. 

This class is a fun interactive session where you will learn not only the language but also experience our culture.

Critical thinking

This course is for students who want to learn about the science of chemicals, atoms, matter and reactions. You will learn about and investigate why things change colour, how new substances combine and why things react. We will study different chemical reactions, types of gases, combustion and acids and bases. We will then link them to everyday use. Students will complete experiments and keep a log of their observations and findings. Topics covered will be Atoms, the Periodic Table, Acids and Bases, Matter, Fire, Fuels, and Chemical Reactions. 

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who have an interest in Forensic Science. How do detectives use science to solve crimes and prevent further injustices? What evidence from crime scenes will help identify suspects? What makes a person commit a crime? You will learn about trace evidence analysis such as hair, fibre, fingerprints and DNA. Classes will use scientific skills from Biology, Chemistry and Physics to analyse and interpret crime scene evidence. The Forensics topics studied include ballistics, blood spatter, chemical analysis, dissections, entomology, autopsies and fingerprints. The Psychology unit will discuss the brain's structure, why people commit crimes, and the profiling and studying of serial killers.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who have an interest in the innovation and exploration of Earth and Space. This course will be in three parts, the study of the Earth; Mars; and what is beyond Mars.  You will learn about how you could travel to Mars and the issues with getting to and setting up a colony. What will it take to survive?  From radiation to growing food, to gravity, to getting water. Programming and using robotics will be one of your challenges. Classes will involve a variety of projects, experiments, rockets, and models with a focus on group work and collaboration.

Community & Society

This course is for students interested in the living world, especially how plants grow and animals survive. You will learn about the way plants and animals interact with each other and their surroundings. We will ask questions about how plants and animals adapt to survive. You will learn about animal habitats, their feeding interactions and predator-prey relationships.

The Science of kai will be studied; making bread, gingerbeer, cheese and yoghurt and testing food and investigating microbes.  There will be a unit on harakeke weaving and whiri. 

 Classes will involve growing seeds and propagating plants. You will be using microscopes to understand cells and doing many science experiments to help you understand the living world around us. There will be an animal study project.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who are interested in how things work. You will learn about how things move and the science behind electricity, forces, energy and motion. You will be calculating speed, energy changes, acceleration and momentum, current and voltage. Topics could include, robots, boats, electric cars, bows and arrows, catapults, rockets, cell phones, and planes. 3 -D printing will be introduced. There will be activities, projects and experiments to answer the following questions. Who can make the fastest boat? Which catapult goes the furthest? Which rocket goes the highest? How do things move? How does an electric motor work?  Problem-solving within groups and thinking critically will be a focus.

Community & Society

This course is for students who are interested in learning more about the science of the human body. You will learn about the workings of the human body from cells to organ systems: Respiratory, Circulatory, Digestive, Muscular-skeletal and Genetics. You will be investigating the causes and effects of various complications/diseases relating to the above systems and the scientific methods used to treat them. The questions we will be answering; What makes you tick? Why do you look like this? What makes us sick? What is an epidemiologist? How do we study diseases? Classes will involve understanding the human body with a variety of projects, dissections, and experiments.  There will be a focus on group work and collaboration. 

Art Beat, is an art course focused around turangawaewae (a place to stand), which is all about your culture, identity, interests and passions. We will learn about Te Ao Māori, and also look into Pasifika cultures. We will develop research and practical skills in Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking. What is your taonga (treasure)? What is important to you? We will look into place, culture, people, and taonga which are important to you, and help shape your identity and sense of belonging.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who are interested in Design/Photography/Animation. You will learn about a range of computer programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro. Classes will involve following the design process to create interesting solutions to a range of design, photography and animation briefs.

(For all levels of experience - beginners to advanced). 

Strand - Creativity and Innovation

This course merges the Visual Art fields of 3D Design, Graphic Illustration and Sculpture where you will learn to create multi-dimensional art works. The course is built around a student inquiry, whereby students select from a range of briefs and over the course of a semester follow the design process to find visual solutions. You will learn to explore and communicate visual ideas, expand your conceptual thinking and create effective art works. As your multi-disciplinary practices evolve you will use appropriate processes and procedures to record, generate, refine ideas and create final design decisions.

Students will learn the fundamentals of design by creating characters and wearable art style creations in this course. Students will also have the opportunity to learn a range of basic fashion, drawing and creative skills as they create a range of wearable items throughout the course.

Creativity & Innovation

Working with others, you will create an original high-quality video that you will be able to publish online. You will learn to use a story board to design and plan a video. You will then film and edit your video, adding awesome effects and transitions that follow the rules of video and media production.  

This course is for students who enjoy viewing and reading about real people in real life situations.  It is also for students who enjoy looking into the past to see how events can have an impact on our current lives. This genre includes non-fiction texts centred around tales of courage and real life stories and around social interaction and our own human failings and strengths. 

Students may also study the way myths and legends of our ancestors and our own cultural background can shape who we are and what we value.  Students  will apply their learning to writing and presenting their own stories, either from their own lives or a person of significance to them.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses  teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories of real people or legends and myths from our historical past.

This course is for students who enjoy viewing and reading about characters living in other worlds who may have special abilities or are sent on a quest.  

You will learn about the ways dystopian, fantasy or science-fiction worlds are developed to make them real to their audience; then, how to create your own. 

Classes will involve the study of texts set in 'other worlds' and the characters who live in them. Lessons will look at the techniques used by writers and directors to immerse us to the extent that we feel fear and relief on behalf of the characters we engage with. Through this study you will learn the skills to write about this analysis, as well as create your own narratives and present them through a range of different options.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories of characters in other fictional worlds.

This course is for students who enjoy the world of technology and futuristic or dystopian worlds. 

You will learn about the way futuristic texts are created using visual and verbal language techniques and how these fictional characters can become relatable to us.  You will also learn how this genre of texts are created to warn society of issues that could harm us.

Classes will involve exploring a range of literature:  apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic literature, dystopian literature, science fiction, texts related to artificial intelligence and gaming. 

There will be opportunities to study and analyse a range of written and visual texts that will develop your thinking and writing skills. Learning will also involve creating your own texts in this genre. 

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses  teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques.  However, in this course, you will do this through texts with a  dystopian or futuristic theme.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

This course is for students who enjoy exploring both true and fictional stories focused on criminals and the crimes they commit.  You will look at some real life crime investigations and give your own opinion in writing of what you thought of the evidence given.  You will also get the chance to say whether you believe the right person has been convicted of the crime and if you believe justice was served. 

Classes will also involve the study of film that follows the stories of villains and their crimes. During this study you will analyse how directors have used film techniques to convey the tension involved and convince the audience of who is in the wrong.  The course will also involve looking at some of the most famous bad guy characters. You will apply this learning to create your own villain and write your own short story.

All junior English courses are based around general themes so that you can choose a theme or genre of text that interests you, and through this genre, learn and develop your English skills. All courses teach how to write a literary essay and to analyse texts such as film, poetry and novels. This also involves you learning to identify, analyse and to use, visual and verbal language techniques. However, in this course, you will do this through texts that tell stories about the bad guys of literature and the real world.

Creativity & Innovation

FUNMusic is a course for students who want to learn about music and how to play an instrument. This course assumes you have no knowledge of how to play a musical instrument.

At the beginning of the course you will be asked which instrument you would like to have lessons on. We offer:

• Keyboard/Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Vocals

You will also learn some of the fundamental skills of music, including:

• Theory
• Aural
• Composition - using SoundTrap

In FUNMusic we will complete three Achievements:

• Music Fundamentals: Here we will start with researching a music topic of your choice. This achievement also includes showing knowledge of music theory.
• Music Composition: You will have the opportunity to create your own music. You will begin to learn how to build a piece of music from scratch using SoundTrap.
• Music Performance: Everyone will get to perform as part of a small group on an instrument. The performance will take place in front of the class.

Creativity and Innovation

This course is for students who wish to learn and develop both specific and transferable sports skills. Students need to be open minded to a variety of sports and be prepared to challenge themselves both physically and socially. You will learn and train for a range of seasonal sports. In doing this, you will be able to identify, learn about and apply a variety of skills and requirements to participate successfully in a sports team. You may be required to take on a position of leadership for your group where you can display positive interpersonal skills so that your group can be successful. Classes will involve learning about either winter or summer ball skills, which students choose, and either leading or being led by your peers.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who have a passion for food and might be interested to find out where this could possibly lead as a career path. Even if you don't want to pursue it as a career if you love food this could be the course for you. You will learn how to extend your cookery skills allowing you to experience a wide range of foods available in our local community and further afield. This subject leads onto our Food and Nutrition, and Catering and Hospitality courses in the senior school. Classes will involve the opportunity to run a Pop-up Shop where you will look at product design, food production and customer service. We will open this Pop-up Shop to the school community so that your friends can see what you have been up to. We will look to work with local suppliers to run this event.

In this Physical Education course, we will explore a range of cultural sports/games from around the world (Southern Hemisphere), and the significance they have in the country they come from. We will learn about new games and develop the skills that allow us to be successful within them.

This course is open to all, but you need to be open to learning new games/skills, and prepared to undertake some communication and leadership tasks. As part of this course, you will spend some time researching new cultural games.

Community and Society

This course is a participation-based course, rather than a competitive course and is for students who are at an introductory level of sport/activity, or those that would like to develop their confidence in this curriculum area. You will learn about factors that affect your participation, and how to develop your well-being through increasing your confidence in and around physical activity; this will be achieved by taking actions to get us moving. Activities and events used in this course will be chosen by you from your interests and available community-based activities. Classes will involve some theory classes, including a bit of research and planning. However, it is primarily an activity based course.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who wish to take Physical Education at a senior level (strongly recommended). This is NOT a games-based course. You will learn and explore the science behind the performance of movement. This includes the structure of the human body, factors that affect the way it moves as well as its responses to exercise. You will also look at issues in sport and the role that technology plays in professional sports. Classes will involve some practical activities, but it will be MAINLY THEORY based.

Community & Society

This course is for students who want to learn a range of basic skills that you need on a day- to -day basis. You will learn more about how to cook basic meals for yourself and the family, gardening, budgeting and shopping for food, creating a CV, setting up a bank account and budgeting your money, volunteering in the community, exploring future pathways etc.  Classes will involve a range of hands-on activities along with some theory work. You will go out into the community when we look at ways we can volunteer etc. You will also have input as a class as to what new skills you would like to learn more about.

Critical Thinking

In this course you will delve into the world of Nutrition and Health.  You will learn how food fuels the body.  You will have the opportunity to create and cook deliciously nutritious foods. You will become confident in choosing healthy food options that boost your Hauora.  This course also deepens your knowledge of Hauora.  It will help you to understand what influences your personal Hauora, the Hauora of others and the Hauora of our Communities. Overall this course will provide you with knowledge to become the best version of you now and in the future.

Critical Thinking

In this Physical Education course we will explore how to develop and improve as an athlete in today’s world. You need to be coach-able and prepared to challenge yourself. This is NOT a games-based course. You will learn how to develop and improve as an athlete in today’s world. We will explore what it means to be successful, how to be successful and key factors that must be considered for physical and mental training. To do this we will look at factors such as Sports Psychology, Nutrition, injury prevention and the Principles and Methods of training. Classes will involve you developing, following and evaluating your own training programmes as well as looking at the role mindset plays in preparing you for a successful sporting experience. Therefore, a large portion of this course will be theory based and requires classroom sessions.

This course is for students who enjoy or want to learn more about dance. You will learn the fundamental skills of dance, including learning contemporary and hip hop dance styles.

Classes will involve deepening understanding of the choreographic process to help students clearly communicate their ideas through their choreography. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph dances to be performed publicly at events.

This course is for students who are interested in drama and want to perform.  It is also for students who want to try drama, but are not keen on being centre stage, to gain the understanding of the elements and conversations of drama and explore their own creativeness through technical theatre.  You will learn about the elements, conventions and techniques of drama that will enable you to perform existing drama scripts and devise (create) drama performances that are original and your own.  We will explore why drama is so intriguing to humans and how we can use this to communicate and heal.  At the end of the semester, we will perform a mini production.

Te Tupuranga

This course is the foundation course for our NCEA and is a year long course, you will need to complete this course before entering Te Hau Raki which is our level 1 NCEA. This course is for those who have come from a bilingual or rumaki unit.

In this course you will explore listening, speaking, writing, reading and  in Te Reo Māori   You will learn to write and give short prepared talks on topics in Te Reo Māori as well as reading to and listening to understand. 

This class is a fun interactive session where you will learn not only the language but also experience our culture. 

Te Whakatōtanga

This is an introductory course in Te Reo Māori and is one semester. You will learn to understand simple sentence patterns and vocabulary. You will learn to greet, farewell and acknowledge  people. You will also learn numbers, days of the week and months of the year. 

This class is a fun interactive session where you will learn not only the language but also experience our culture.

This course is for students who are interested in mathematics related to animals.  You will learn a variety of mathematical skills from the New Zealand Curriculum for Mathematics and Statistics.  Classes involve theory and practical sessions where you get to engage with different problems relating habitats, feeding habits. survival, dominance, and general care for animals. Group work will be an element of this course - whānau learning is essential for today and the future! All mathematics courses cover the same achievement objectives and students should choose the topic that most interests them.

This course is for students who are interested in being creative and solving problems in Mathematics.  You will learn a variety of mathematical skills from the New Zealand Curriculum for Mathematics and Statistics.  Classes involve theory and practical sessions where you get to engage with different problems, being original, creative and flexible in your thinking processes . Group work will be an element of this course - whānau learning is essential for today and the future! All mathematics courses cover the same achievement objectives and students should choose the topic that most interests them. 

This course is for students who are interested in exploring the mathematics related to the great outdoors. You will learn a variety of mathematical skills from the New Zealand curriculum for Mathematics and Statistics. Classes will involve theory and practical sessions where you will engage with different problems relating to navigation, survival, rescue, pest control, shelter and protection, hazard identification and much more. Group work will be an element of this course - whānau learning is essential for today and the future! All mathematics courses cover the same achievement objectives and students should choose the topic that most interests them. 

This course is for students who are interested in the mathematics related to our world. It is a Mathematics course that uses the everyday situations we find ourselves in relating to everyday things we see and experience. You will learn a variety of mathematical skills from the New Zealand Curriculum for Mathematics and Statistics.  Classes involve theory and practical sessions where you get to engage with different such as pollution, volcanoes, exercise, bees, weather, health, happiness, explosions, and transport. Group work will be an element of this course - whānau learning is essential for today and the future!  All mathematics courses cover the same achievement objectives and students should choose the topic that most interests them. 

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are interested in not only designing new products but also designing the packaging and promoting the products. Will include opportunities to make items using the laser cutter. Students learn how new products are designed, made and they bring their own creative ideas to life.

Critical thinking

This course is for students who want to learn about the science of chemicals, atoms, matter and reactions. You will learn about and investigate why things change colour, how new substances combine and why things react. We will study different chemical reactions, types of gases, combustion and acids and bases. We will then link them to everyday use. Students will complete experiments and keep a log of their observations and findings. Topics covered will be Atoms, the Periodic Table, Acids and Bases, Matter, Fire, Fuels, and Chemical Reactions. 

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who have an interest in Forensic Science. How do detectives use science to solve crimes and prevent further injustices? What evidence from crime scenes will help identify suspects? What makes a person commit a crime? You will learn about trace evidence analysis such as hair, fibre, fingerprints and DNA. Classes will use scientific skills from Biology, Chemistry and Physics to analyse and interpret crime scene evidence. The Forensics topics studied include ballistics, blood spatter, chemical analysis, dissections, entomology, autopsies and fingerprints. The Psychology unit will discuss the brain's structure, why people commit crimes, and the profiling and studying of serial killers.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who have an interest in the innovation and exploration of Earth and Space. This course will be in three parts, the study of the Earth; Mars; and what is beyond Mars.  You will learn about how you could travel to Mars and the issues with getting to and setting up a colony. What will it take to survive?  From radiation to growing food, to gravity, to getting water. Programming and using robotics will be one of your challenges. Classes will involve a variety of projects, experiments, rockets, and models with a focus on group work and collaboration.

Community & Society

This course is for students interested in the living world, especially how plants grow and animals survive. You will learn about the way plants and animals interact with each other and their surroundings. We will ask questions about how plants and animals adapt to survive. You will learn about animal habitats, their feeding interactions and predator-prey relationships.

The Science of kai will be studied; making bread, gingerbeer, cheese and yoghurt and testing food and investigating microbes.  There will be a unit on harakeke weaving and whiri. 

 Classes will involve growing seeds and propagating plants. You will be using microscopes to understand cells and doing many science experiments to help you understand the living world around us. There will be an animal study project.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who are interested in how things work. You will learn about how things move and the science behind electricity, forces, energy and motion. You will be calculating speed, energy changes, acceleration and momentum, current and voltage. Topics could include, robots, boats, electric cars, bows and arrows, catapults, rockets, cell phones, and planes. 3 -D printing will be introduced. There will be activities, projects and experiments to answer the following questions. Who can make the fastest boat? Which catapult goes the furthest? Which rocket goes the highest? How do things move? How does an electric motor work?  Problem-solving within groups and thinking critically will be a focus.

Community & Society

This course is for students who are interested in learning more about the science of the human body. You will learn about the workings of the human body from cells to organ systems: Respiratory, Circulatory, Digestive, Muscular-skeletal and Genetics. You will be investigating the causes and effects of various complications/diseases relating to the above systems and the scientific methods used to treat them. The questions we will be answering; What makes you tick? Why do you look like this? What makes us sick? What is an epidemiologist? How do we study diseases? Classes will involve understanding the human body with a variety of projects, dissections, and experiments.  There will be a focus on group work and collaboration. 

Community & Society

Learn to design creative buildings. Learn how the spaces we live in shape our lives and communities. As part of this course you’ll create a number of your own designs with sketching, modeling, and computer-aided drawing. 

Creativity and Innovation

This course is for students who already have experience working with metal. You will learn design skills like sketching, modelling and testing alongside improving your capability with tools and equipment. Classes will involve making products using a variety of materials while putting your own creative spin on set projects.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who want an introduction to the metal workshop. You will learn to use engineering tools and machines to a high standard. Classes will involve making high quality products using a variety of machines and tools.

This course is for students who already have experience working with wood. You will learn how to develop your skills to build a small project that has to be planned, designed and built.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who want an introduction to the wood workshop. You will learn how to use workshop tools to bring a project from concept to completion. Classes will involve projects like making a book-shelf and a planter box from recycled pallets.

Community and Society

This course is for students who enjoy using digital technology and want to be able to use a range of software to design and create high quality products to share with others. You will learn the principles of good design and how to use different software to create your designs. You will also learn how to give and receive feedback to help improve outcomes. Classes will involve creating databases, charts, posters, presentations, websites, animations and other outcomes by following a design process.

Creativity & Innovation

MUSICADV is a course for students who want to learn about music, how to play an instrument and compose music. This course is aimed at students who have taken FUNMusic or who have some prior experience playing an instrument or singing.

At the beginning of the course you will be asked which instrument you would like to have lessons on. We offer:

• Keyboard/Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Vocals

You will also develop you knowledge of music, including:

• Theory
• Aural
• Composition - using SoundTrap

Typically our classes involve a range of activities that involve learning to use SoundTrap, developing Theory and Aural skills, and practical time where we play music together as a class.

In MUSICADV we will complete three Achievements:

• Music Basics: Here we will start with researching a music topic of your choice. This achievement also includes showing knowledge of music theory.
• Music Composition: You will have the opportunity to create your own music. You will begin to learn how to build a piece of music from scratch using SoundTrap.
• Music Performance: Everyone will get to perform as part of a small group on an instrument. The performance will take place in front of the class.

After completing this course it is recommended that you select Year 11 Music or repeat this course if you took it in Year 9.

Art Beat, is an art course focused around turangawaewae (a place to stand), which is all about your culture, identity, interests and passions. We will learn about Te Ao Māori, and also look into Pasifika cultures. We will develop research and practical skills in Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking. What is your taonga (treasure)? What is important to you? We will look into place, culture, people, and taonga which are important to you, and help shape your identity and sense of belonging.

This course is for students who are interested in painting and wish to find out about the social meaning behind Art. You will create your own works based on social issues. You will learn different painting techniques to create meaningful art works based on your own and others artistic voice. 

This course is for students who are interested in comic book art. You will learn how artists and designers create artwork for comics books. You will learn about comic book layout, typography, drawing characters and backgrounds. You will learn a range of traditional and digital drawing techniques. Classes will involve researching different comic book artists, looking at different styles of illustration, and learning to draw unique characters and backgrounds based on different styles of comic books. A 'Zine' will be the final product.

(Caters for all levels of experience - beginners to advanced)

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who are interested in Design/Photography/Animation. You will learn about a range of computer programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro. Classes will involve following the design process to create interesting solutions to a range of design, photography and animation briefs.

(For all levels of experience - beginners to advanced). 

Strand - Creativity and Innovation

This course merges the Visual Art fields of 3D Design, Graphic Illustration and Sculpture where you will learn to create multi-dimensional art works. The course is built around a student inquiry, whereby students select from a range of briefs and over the course of a semester follow the design process to find visual solutions. You will learn to explore and communicate visual ideas, expand your conceptual thinking and create effective art works. As your multi-disciplinary practices evolve you will use appropriate processes and procedures to record, generate, refine ideas and create final design decisions.

Toiora is a basic to advanced skills, knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Māori art. Over the year you will explore a variety of materials and tools used to produce our art forms. The main art forms we look at are kōwhaiwhai, tukutuku, rāranga we look into the origins and history of these art forms. We learn the basics of those art forms and create contemporary art pieces. 

English Skills

In this course students who come from ESOL background are able to consolidate their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills though a range of different tasks. The course is integrated with digital fluency skills.

English Skills

In this course students who come from ESOL background are able to consolidate their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills though a range of different tasks. The course is integrated with digital fluency skills.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages who wish to improve their English. Students will learn the English language skills that will help them work independently in other classes and/or prepare them for entrance into tertiary study in New Zealand.  Therefore, students will learn to understand ideas and information through the skills of listening, reading and viewing.  They will also learn to create meaning through speaking, writing and presenting. By doing this, students will have the opportunity to gain at least 20 NCEA credits.

Creativity & Innovation

FUNMusic is a course for students who want to learn about music and how to play an instrument. This course assumes you have no knowledge of how to play a musical instrument.

At the beginning of the course you will be asked which instrument you would like to have lessons on. We offer:

• Keyboard/Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Vocals

You will also learn some of the fundamental skills of music, including:

• Theory
• Aural
• Composition - using SoundTrap

In FUNMusic we will complete three Achievements:

• Music Fundamentals: Here we will start with researching a music topic of your choice. This achievement also includes showing knowledge of music theory.
• Music Composition: You will have the opportunity to create your own music. You will begin to learn how to build a piece of music from scratch using SoundTrap.
• Music Performance: Everyone will get to perform as part of a small group on an instrument. The performance will take place in front of the class.

Creativity & Innovation

This course is for students who have a passion for food and might be interested to find out where this could possibly lead as a career path. Even if you don't want to pursue it as a career if you love food this could be the course for you. You will learn how to extend your cookery skills allowing you to experience a wide range of foods available in our local community and further afield. This subject leads onto our Food and Nutrition, and Catering and Hospitality courses in the senior school. Classes will involve the opportunity to run a Pop-up Shop where you will look at product design, food production and customer service. We will open this Pop-up Shop to the school community so that your friends can see what you have been up to. We will look to work with local suppliers to run this event.

Critical Thinking

In this course you will delve into the world of Nutrition and Health.  You will learn how food fuels the body.  You will have the opportunity to create and cook deliciously nutritious foods. You will become confident in choosing healthy food options that boost your Hauora.  This course also deepens your knowledge of Hauora.  It will help you to understand what influences your personal Hauora, the Hauora of others and the Hauora of our Communities. Overall this course will provide you with knowledge to become the best version of you now and in the future.

This course is for students who enjoy or want to learn more about dance. You will learn the fundamental skills of dance, including learning contemporary and hip hop dance styles.

Classes will involve deepening understanding of the choreographic process to help students clearly communicate their ideas through their choreography. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph dances to be performed publicly at events.

Te Tupuranga

This course is the foundation course for our NCEA and is a year long course, you will need to complete this course before entering Te Hau Raki which is our level 1 NCEA. This course is for those who have come from a bilingual or rumaki unit.

In this course you will explore listening, speaking, writing, reading and  in Te Reo Māori   You will learn to write and give short prepared talks on topics in Te Reo Māori as well as reading to and listening to understand. 

This class is a fun interactive session where you will learn not only the language but also experience our culture. 

Year 11 English is compulsory for all students.

Career experts, employers and further education providers acknowledge that a strong foundation in English skills is absolutely necessary to achieve success, and to enable us to function in a world which relies on communication.  For this reason, English is compulsory at Level One, and recommended at Level Two. 

Studying English in senior school will teach you to analyse different types of writing and to write clearly in a range of styles. It will also encourage and support you to read outside your comfort zone, while expanding your language skills and range of vocabulary. 

The  Level One English courses are suitable for students who have completed Year 10 Literacy alongside a junior English Course.  You will study texts using skills of analysis that you have learned in Years 9 and 10 and develop your skills further to write about them.  You will also develop your own skills to write in a range of styles for a range of purposes as well as produce visual, and possibly verbal texts. Some of these pieces will be used for assessment and others form the basis of preparation for external exams. 

Every course will include a range of internal assessments, as well as external assessments. This range will be personalised where appropriate, to meet the interests and needs of individual students.   

Next year in 2025, Level One English will continue to teach and assess to the new NCEA standards. 

The achievement standards attached to this course below are an indication of internally and externally assessed standards you will be offered in your course. 

Successful completion of this Level One English course can lead on to a Level Two English course in 2025.

Stationery Requirements: 

Headphones/earphones suitable for use with student's device.

In this course you will delve into the world of food through the Hospitality lens. You will learn how to prepare, cook and serve a variety of different food and drinks in an industry setting and there will be an emphasis on presenting the food to a high standard.  You will learn advanced knife skills, preparing and presenting hot finger foods, making and garnishing mocktails (non-alcoholic drinks), preparing food by grilling and frying etc.  You will also have the opportunity to assist the year 13 Catering students with food prep for the School Restaurants that we run.  Here you will work with a qualified chef to hone your skills and learn about job opportunities within the Hospitality Industry.  This is a hands on course where you can put what you learn into action.  

Take items from the world around us and make them into amazing art works. A practical art course where you will explore and build skills through various art disciplines including: painting, printmaking, and sculpture.  Throughout the year you will learn a range of skills using various wet and dry media including: pencil, pen, pastel, collage, paint and ink.  From these skills you will combine them to create a theme-based folio board that interests you.  The skills you learn will allow you to do well in the Year 12 and 13 Art Programmes of Fine Art (Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture), Photography and Design.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Design Students)

Learn to design buildings, interiors and landscapes.  

Want to design your own house? In this course you'll gain skills in freehand sketching, computer model-making, and physical modelling to create a number of architecture projects.  You will learn to take your projects from artistic ideas to practical solutions using design thinking.  Take this course to explore a potential career, or just to expand your creative skills.

Select from a range of design briefs and develop a range of imaginative and inspirational design solutions.  The brief to choose from include: graphic design, advertising; fashion and architecture.

This is an introductory course for students interested in Photography and/or Design.  You will learn to use a camera, along with learning Photoshop, Illustration and InDesign programmes to enable you to manipulate images and develop design ideas.  You will learn to use the design process in order to enrich your creativity.  There are options if you are taking two lines of Art at Year 11, to complete a Level 2 Printmaking or Sculpture folio in this option.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Photography and Design Students)

You will learn about the range and type of information skills required for effective money management.  You will also have the opportunities to develop accounting skills.

Commerce is the use and exploration of Accounting, Economic, and Business concepts and models to make sense of society and solve problems. In this subject, ākonga will build the knowledge, skills, and values they need to navigate, and participate in, the economic world. They will learn how participants in the economic world make decisions, and they will analyse how these decisions impact on sustainability.

Ākonga will learn that decision making is necessitated by scarcity, and that decisions are informed by a variety of cultural perspectives and lenses. Learning and assessment will examine Māori, Pacific, and other approaches to commerce, and business models from whānau and organisation contexts.  (https://ncea.education.govt.nz/social-sciences/commerce?view=learning)

A project-based programme using timber and timber products. The course responds to students to ensure learning is relevant to the students' needs and that products produced that are of value to the student. Projects include a stool, a table, and a project of the students' choice. Students will use tools and machinery to develop knowledge and skills that can be used in a wide variety of industries and pathways.

You will develop knowledge of dance elements and choreographic processes with your teacher.  You will select four Achievement Standards to complete during the academic year.

This is the new curriculum refresh Digital Technology/ Hangarau Matihiko course. You will design a digital technologies outcome, develop a digital technologies outcome and/or demonstrate understanding of usability in human-computer interfaces (External exam). 15 credits.

92005: Develop a digital technologies outcome - 5 credits
92006: Demonstrate understanding of usability in human-computer interfaces - 5 credits - External
92007: Design a digital technologies outcome - 5 credits

You will develop knowledge of drama with your teacher.  You will select four Achievement/Unit Standards to complete during the academic year.

Develop as an engineer by making a set project and a project of your choice.  Learn techniques including mig welding, centre lathe turning and sheet metal fabrication.  Design and problem solve your own product from start to finish.

This course will give you a holistic (overall) understanding of Health through a Food and Nutrition lens.  Throughout the year you will deepen your understanding of Hauora and strengthen and use your personal, interpersonal and societal skills that are needed in all areas of life.  In this course you will also have the opportunity to create and cook deliciously nutritious foods that strengthen your Hauora.     

This course essentially enables you to better understand the world around you. Geography combines the knowledge and skills of a range of subjects including Science, Social Studies, Mapping skills, Politics, Economics, Maths and English.

By the end of the course at Level 1 you will be able to:

• read and interpret maps
• know what causes earthquakes and understand the impacts these events have on people. 
• know what New Zealand society will be like in the coming decades and how to adapt yourself and your future goals to attain success in that new society
• learn about sustainability. We focus on sustainability initiatives that you can undertake to allow you to better adapt to a changing world that maps a way towards a more sustainable future for you, your family, New Zealand and the planet as a whole.
• develops your literacy ability focusing on writing skills 
• Form opinions about  issues that are relevant to New Zealand and the world.

Overall Geography is a fun and interesting course being taught by a teacher who is passionate about the subject. Geography gives you general knowledge of the world, how it works physically, socially and economically and provides you with the knowledge and skills needed by all citizens as we head into an uncertain future and the issues that we face going forward.

Health Studies at Level One incorporates three key learning areas: Mental Health, Relationships and Sexuality, and Food and Nutrition. It is expected that through their learning all students will be able to apply these topics to themselves to strengthen their sense of identity and self-worth, as well as apply them to others and society.

Topics/issues covered will include: hauora/well-being, how togetherness and care can help whanau/communities, as well as injustices seen in society.

This course explores a range of past events that have helped to shape Aotearoa. This will include topics where people pulled together behind a common cause, or were pulled apart by strongly held opinions and beliefs. Students will develop a range of skills, which will see you becoming a "time detective", delving into evidence and forming a case. Within this course, students will also get to pursue topics that they are passionate about.

Mahi Toi is a proud celebration of Aotearoa’s multicultural identity. This exciting NCEA Level One Visual Art course is an immersive exploration of mana atua (spiritual), mana whenua (land), mana tupuna (ancestry) and te mana tangata (character). Students will learn how to use natural materials to preserve and pass down Māori knowledge, following the values, protocols and traditions of te Ao Māori. Guest speakers and field trips will be a major component of research in this course.

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra: This course is suited to a number of students who have successfully completed Year 10 Numeracy, alongside a junior Mathematics Course.  You will learn a range of topics that will provide credits towards NCEA Level 1 and leads to either Level 2 Mathematics with Calculus, Level 2 Mathematics with Statistics or Level 2 Mathematics. This course has two external exams. There are a reduced number of standards for 2024 as the new NCEA Level 1 standards are implemented. 

A.S. 91944 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.1 - Explore data using a statistical enquiry process (Internal)

A.S. 91945 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.2 - Use mathematical methods to explore problems that relate to life in Aotearoa New Zealand or the Pacific (Internal)

A.S. 91946 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.3 - Interpret and apply mathematical and statistical information in context (External)

A.S. 91947 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.4 - Demonstrate mathematical reasoning (External)

Career Pathways: Health sector, finance and property, science, engineering, education, social sciences, business, media, animal care, government, law, hospitality, tourism, recreation, retail and personal services, arts, media, animal care, safety, farming, fishing, and forestry.

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics: This course is suited to students who have completed Year 10 Numeracy, alongside a junior Mathematics Course.  You will learn a range of topics that will provide credits towards NCEA Level 1 and leads to either Level 2 Mathematics with Statistics or Level 2 Mathematics. This course has one external exam. There are a reduced number of standards for 2024 as the new NCEA Level 1 standards are implemented. 

A.S. 91944 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.1 - Explore data using a statistical enquiry process (Internal)

A.S. 91945 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.2 - Use mathematical methods to explore problems that relate to life in Aotearoa New Zealand or the Pacific (Internal)

A.S. 91946 v2 Mathematics and Statistics 1.3 - Interpret and apply mathematical and statistical information in context (External)

Career Pathways: Health sector, finance and property, science, engineering, education, social sciences, business, media, animal care, government, law, hospitality, tourism, recreation, retail and personal services, arts, media, animal care, safety, farming, fishing, and forestry.

In Year 11 Music you will really begin to start to grow your performance and composition skills. Solo and Group performances are expected at this level as well as developing Music Theory knowledge, as well. You will also receive private tuition on your chosen instrument(s) (max two) each week. The Performing Arts department has a number of co-curricular activities for students to partake in: RockQuest and Tangata Beats competitions, Barbershop groups, Choir, WHATShow and ShowQuest. 

The Level One Physical Education course for 2024 is part of the new NCEA programme.

Four assessments will be undertaken, which include - 

1. Demonstrate movements in context.

2. Demonstrate understanding of strategies which promote kotahitanga in movement.

3. Explore the relationship between movement and hauora.

4. Demonstrate influences on movement in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Two of these assessments are internals, with the other two requiring a Portfolio and a small Presentation (ie Digital) to be complete. Assessment material will be collected throughout the year.

In doing these assessments, you will learn: Leadership and communication skills; Anatomy - knowledge of body structure and function; Biomechanics; Motor skill learning; Physiology - short and long term effects of exercise; How physical activities influence well-being/participation; Demonstrate and describe qualities of movement in a physical activity; Develop interpersonal skills in groups.

A digital device, capable of recording and editing movement and strategies within certain movement contexts is vital.

The  11 Science course will combine Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Science standards, building on the knowledge you have gained in the last two years.  

Four standards total 21 credits. The three internal standards involve experiments and a practical-based assessment, and the fourth Genetics standard will be examined at the end of the year. 

The topics are  Mechanics, Genetics, Chemical reactions, and Scientific investigations.  

You will:

• Understand how to do a range of scientific investigations 
• Study different chemical reactions
• Perform a practical investigation that demonstrates an understanding of physics ideas 
• Explore how genes control the inheritance of characteristics
• Be able to explain the causes of genetic variation. 

You will learn: Skills related to physical performance as well as Self-management, Communication, Leadership and Interpersonal skills; To identify factors which influence participation; To demonstrate quality of movement, through participation in a training program. 

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

Numeracy: This course is designed to provide a pathway for students who still need to achieve the NCEA Numeracy co-requisite requirements for NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3. Students will complete a variety of learning with a strong emphasis on basic number calculations, measurement, and statistical calculations and interpretations. This achievement standard is taught at a slightly slower pace and students are given lots of practical opportunities to understand their learning.  This course is suited to students who have found Year 10 Numeracy and/or their Mathematics course(s) challenging. There is no progression from this course into Level 2 Mathematics. Students will choose this course with guidance from their Numeracy and Mathematics Course teachers and/or the Head of Mathematics. 

Internal: 10 credits - assessed via a one hour digital test in June and September of each year.

This course aims to build student knowledge in the four language strands of tuhituhi, pānui, kōrero & whakarongo.

The main focus of the course content is around strengthening skills in: - Reading - Writing - Speaking - Listening.

Success in the Level 1 Te Reo Maori course can provide students with a step toward completing NCEA Level 1 and entry to NCEA Level 2 Te Reo Maori. Those who complete the Panui & Tuhituhi standards give themselves the chance to gain the compulsory 10 credits required for Literacy Level 1.

You will need a chromebook for this class.

Community & Society

Learn to design creative buildings. Learn how the spaces we live in shape our lives and communities. As part of this course you’ll create a number of your own designs with sketching, modeling, and computer-aided drawing. 

Creativity & Innovation

MUSICADV is a course for students who want to learn about music, how to play an instrument and compose music. This course is aimed at students who have taken FUNMusic or who have some prior experience playing an instrument or singing.

At the beginning of the course you will be asked which instrument you would like to have lessons on. We offer:

• Keyboard/Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Vocals

You will also develop you knowledge of music, including:

• Theory
• Aural
• Composition - using SoundTrap

Typically our classes involve a range of activities that involve learning to use SoundTrap, developing Theory and Aural skills, and practical time where we play music together as a class.

In MUSICADV we will complete three Achievements:

• Music Basics: Here we will start with researching a music topic of your choice. This achievement also includes showing knowledge of music theory.
• Music Composition: You will have the opportunity to create your own music. You will begin to learn how to build a piece of music from scratch using SoundTrap.
• Music Performance: Everyone will get to perform as part of a small group on an instrument. The performance will take place in front of the class.

After completing this course it is recommended that you select Year 11 Music or repeat this course if you took it in Year 9.

Tourism is one of New Zealand's most valuable exports. Millions of visitors come to New Zealand every year to explore what this country has to offer.  As a student of Tourism, you will learn about the Tourism industry and the importance that this has in New Zealand. You will learn about Domestic and International Tourism, attractions and activities from around the world and in New Zealand, as well as what work roles are available to those who wish to pursue a career in this fast growing industry. This course is assessed through a range of Unit Standards that cover a variety a topics which students can choose from to suit their interests.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

Students will learn the English language skills that will help them work independently in other classes and/or prepare them for entrance into tertiary study in New Zealand while achieving credits through unit standards.  Students will learn to understand ideas and information through the skills of listening, reading and viewing.  They will also learn to create meaning through speaking, writing and presenting.

In this course you will delve deeper into the world of food through the Hospitality lens. You will learn how to prepare, cook and serve a variety of different food and drinks in an industry setting and there will be an emphasis on presenting the food to a high standard.  You will learn how to serve customers and the skills needed to be Front of House staff in our School Restaurant that we run in terms 1 and 2.  You will learn basic Barista skills and work with outside organizations to further develop your skills in this area.  This is a hands on course where you will put the skills and knowledge you learn into practice in an Industry setting.  If you have a love of food and are good with people then this course is right for you.

Take items from the world around us and make them into amazing art works. A practical art course where you will explore and build skills through various art disciplines including: painting, printmaking, and sculpture.  Throughout the year you will learn a range of skills using various wet and dry media including: pencil, pen, pastel, collage, paint and ink.  From these skills you will combine them to create a theme-based folio board that interests you.  The skills you learn will allow you to do well in the Year 12 and 13 Art Programmes of Fine Art (Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture), Photography and Design.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Design Students)

Select from a range of design briefs and develop a range of imaginative and inspirational design solutions.  The brief to choose from include: graphic design, advertising; fashion and architecture.

This is an introductory course for students interested in Photography and/or Design.  You will learn to use a camera, along with learning Photoshop, Illustration and InDesign programmes to enable you to manipulate images and develop design ideas.  You will learn to use the design process in order to enrich your creativity.  There are options if you are taking two lines of Art at Year 11, to complete a Level 2 Printmaking or Sculpture folio in this option.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Photography and Design Students)

Mahi Toi is a proud celebration of Aotearoa’s multicultural identity. This exciting NCEA Level One Visual Art course is an immersive exploration of mana atua (spiritual), mana whenua (land), mana tupuna (ancestry) and te mana tangata (character). Students will learn how to use natural materials to preserve and pass down Māori knowledge, following the values, protocols and traditions of te Ao Māori. Guest speakers and field trips will be a major component of research in this course.

You will learn the skills and behaviours that would enable you to make responsible financial decisions.

Extend your creative skills to design buildings and products.

You'll improve your skills in freehand sketching, computer model-making, and physical modelling to create architecture and product designs.  You will learn more complex ways of solving real-world problems with your designs. Select this course to take your design thinking to the next level.

Demonstrate your creativity through this course.  You will select a brief and explore design ideas and solutions to fulfill the underlying intentions of the brief.  You will look to gain inspiration from a range of sources and designers and explore a range of media including digital and traditional forms to help aid the creative process.

You will learn to use Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to design publicity for a project, event or business of your choice.  You will explore various elements of design which include typography, illustration, image-making, product branding, website design, user experience design, and animation.  By the end of the course you will be able to understand how to visually communicate your ideas to a wider audience.  There is now an option to submit your work as a digital portfolio for the external standard for those interested in animation or time-based projects.

(Work from 2020 Level 2 Waiopehu Design Students)

Look inside a mysterious box and find a source of artistic inspiration from which to develop a portfolio of photographic work.  You will follow the creative process and use contemporary artists and photographers to inspire and model your own practice in order to create a range of amazing art works.

You will learn to use cameras and Photoshop to make and digitally manipulate quality images.  For the two internal standards students explore different types of photography, lighting, lenses and photography a variety of themes to create series of works.  Once a successful theme has been developed, students use this as a starting point to create their two panel Folio for external assessment.  There will be one trip during the year to visit a relevant exhibition.  There is now an option to present a digital portfolio for the external standard for those interested in film, animation or time based projects. 

(Work from 2020 Level 2 Waiopehu Photography Students)

Biologists and students studying biology want to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life.

What will I do in Level 2 Biology? 

We will provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills that enable you to be ‘scientifically literate citizens. You will develop an understanding of how biological theories and ideas have evolved over time and as technology has improved. Practical investigations will provide you with opportunities to experience how scientists learn more about living organisms. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Biology? 

1. learn about the diverse ways in which animals and plants carry out life processes 
2. be able to explain how the interaction between ecological factors and natural selection leads to genetic change within populations
3. carry out an investigation that includes developing your understanding of the relationship between the investigation and scientific theory 

You will learn about the range and types of information and skills required for effective money management.  This course also aims to encourage the development of competency in knowing where to get financial information and managing money in a commercial environment.

Chemistry affects our daily life and enables us to enjoy the standard of living we have.  Chemistry explains how things work.  The level 2 Chemistry course aims to provide a solid foundation of skills and concepts on which to base further studies in Chemistry. 

What will I do in Level 2 Chemistry? 

You will develop your skills of observation in a chemical context, learning to link observations to chemical species. You will learn to work with accuracy and precision when analyzing chemical substances. Practical work will be supported by chemical equations and calculations. The Internal assessments in Level 2 Chemistry will develop practical skills and be supported by chemical equations and calculations. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Chemistry? 

Level 2 Chemistry is

1. Understanding how atoms in molecules are held together and how this determines the properties of the molecules.
2. Understanding the factors that influence rates of reaction, equilibrium reactions and the properties of acids and bases. 

The content covered in the two externals will provide an understanding of concepts that will be further developed in Level 3 Chemistry

A project-based programme using timber and timber products. The course responds to students to ensure learning is relevant to the students' needs and that products produced that are of value to the student. Projects include a step ladder, a project for a client and project of the students' choice. Students will use tools and machinery to develop knowledge and skills that can be used in a wide variety of industries and pathways.

Continue to develop your knowledge of dance.  You will complete a minimum of four Achievement Standards during the year.

You will choose a project and select the standards suitable for that project.  You may also be able to do some Generic Technology Standards or some Unit Standards.  To gain subject endorsement you will need to do one of the external standards.

NOTE: A typical program of study will earn approximately 25 credits.

Continue to develop your knowledge of dance and/or drama.  You will complete a minimum of four Achievement/Unit Standards during the year.

This course will help you understand the economic environment, the many roles you may play in it and an appreciation of the economic problems facing society.

Develop as an engineer by making a set project, and a project of your choice.  Practice techniques in fabrication and accurate design, whilst problem solving your own products from start to finish.

The  Level Two English courses are suitable for students who have completed a Level One English course.  You will read and study texts with more complexity, using skills of analysis learned in earlier years. All classes will also further develop your ability to plan, write and present your own work for a range of purposes and audiences. Some of these finished pieces may be used for assessment and others form the basis of preparation for external exams.  

All Level Two English courses offer the full amount of credits and assessments required for a student to complete University Entrance (UE) Literacy.  These particular requirements are five reading and five writing credits. Students who may be thinking about future tertiary study should be thinking about English at Level Two to help  improve their chances of success in tertiary study. Auckland University currently requires 17 credits specifically, in Level Two or Three English. Students who intend to continue with further study, should strongly consider continuing at Level Three.

Every course will include a range of internal assessments, as well as external assessments. This range will be personalised where appropriate to meet the interests and needs of individual students.  Most students will  complete at least 14 credits in internal assessments and be prepared for two of their choice of three, of the external exams.  External exams are each worth four credits.  This means the average student should complete 22 credits.  For more motivated students, more assessments are available.

The achievement standards attached to this course below are an indication of some of the internally and externally assessed standards you will be offered in your course.

Stationery Requirements: 

Headphones/earphones suitable for student's device.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Course Contribution: nil

This course is aimed at students who may have either;  not completed a full year of Level One or Two English for a variety of reasons, or who may have struggled in some way to complete the assessments.  It is expected that this course may include a mixture of both Year 12 and Year 13 students.  This course will support the completion of the University Entrance Literacy Standards, either for Tertiary study or just to improve literacy for the future.  

Students will still study and analyse text and further develop writing skills to plan, write and present work for a range of purposes and audiences.  This class will include a range of internal assessments, as well as an external assessment for those who are capable of it. This range will be personalised where appropriate to meet the interests and needs of individual students.   

While it is possible to complete the full amount of credits for University Entrance Literacy in internal assessments, some students may choose to sit an external assessment for additional credits.  Students will be supported to complete at least 14 credits in internal assessments and if they choose, prepare for an external exam.  Each external exam is worth four credits. 

The achievement standards attached to this course below are an indication of some of the internally and externally assessed standards you will be offered in this course.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Stationery Requirements:

Headphones/earphones suitable for use with student's device.

This course is not eligible for subject endorsement unless the student chooses to do an external exam.

Course Contribution: nil

Using allegory and metaphor, you will begin your artistic pursuit of visual splendour.  The artist studio has been an alluring mysterious space where the artist is viewed as the avant-garde, a prophet highlighting the future of civilization.  You will visually explore a theme and develop a range of inspirational images.

You will develop ideas around a theme and style, and explore a range of drawing techniques within your chosen field of practice (Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture).  After developing initial ideas as part of the internal assessments, you will use these ideas as a basis for developing work for your external folio assessment.

(Work from Level 2 Waiopehu Fine Art Students)

In this course you will delve into the world of food and its influences around us.  The course will give you opportunities to cook, consume and use food in a way that will give you a deeper understanding of the power of food.  Throughout the year you will look into nutritional issues in New Zealand, develop an understanding of sustainable food practices and evaluate the effectiveness of Health Promotion Models used in New Zealand.

  The course revolves around topical issues such as environmental issues, poverty and how the landscape is shaped by natural processes and the impacts that this has on people.  In light of this students will have the opportunity to  explore a variety of topics which  could include:

•  Human Trafficking
• Dirty Dairying and the contentious issues that this causes in NZ.
• Learn cool Geography skills such as mapping, cross sections and a whole lot more.
• The Covid Pandemic from a global and New Zealand perspective.
• Explore how urban areas in New Zealand are developed and how this influences where people live.
• Understand how the Taupo Volcanic Zone was formed and how people interact with this important landscape in New Zealand.

Assessments revolve around field work as described below:

• Three day trip to complete the Tongariro Crossing.
• An analysis of dirty dairying and balancing environmental and economic needs.
• Explore the vegetation zones of National Park for our research component of the course.

The Geography course at Level 2 seeks to balance practical skills while maintaining a high academic standard. 

Why this course:
This course is aimed at students who are interested in a health science, public health or education pathway. It contains 20 credits across four assessments, and is an Achievement Standard/endorsement subject. The content of this course is related to issues adolescence may face so the learning will be relevant to you.

Course information:
Students will cover internal topics around Resilience/Managing Change, Sexuality & Gender Issues, and Social Actions. We begin the year by identifying a resilient role model, and assessing how well they coped with a significant change in their lives. This assessment is worth 5 credits. We then move on to identifying Sexuality/Gender issues at a personal, interpersonal and societal level, worth another 5 credits. The one external exam, covers any one topic from a range of adolescent issues, for example binge drinking, stress/anxiety, body image, etc. The final assessment for the year is a group-based assignment, where students are expected to improve the overall Health/Hauora of our school, again worth 5 credits.

This course explores a range of topics that investigate Aotearoa forging its own path, both at home and on the world's stage. It will see New Zealand breaking away from traditional allies and making new connections. This could include topics such as Nuclear Testing in the Pacific, the Women's Suffrage Movement and our involvement in the Vietnam War, to name just a few. Within this course, students will be able to pursue topics that they connect with and are passionate about.

This course will help to develop students' research, critical thinking, essay writing and analytical skills. These are essential for a range of careers, further study and to be empowered to take an active role in the world in which we live. It is also possible to gain University Entrance literacy from this course.

This course will continue developing the language skills started at Level 1.

The course will introduce more kanji and grammar with the objective of moving to oral/aural and written fluency.  the emphasis will continue to be oral fluency with a view to living and working in Japan.  Vocabulary acquisition will be mainly via an on-line language programme.

The course will be assessed internally to gain 14 credits.  An optional external standard (91136) is offered, worth 5 credits.

You will learn a range of topics following on from work learned in 11MAT, leading on to NCEA Level 3 Statistics or Mathematics.  Mathematics or Statistics will possibly be needed in your future pathway, but you will not need a heavy focus on Algebra for your chosen direction. 

You will learn a range of topics following on from work learned in 11MAT, leading on to NCEA Level 3 Calculus, Statistics or Mathematics.  If you did not attempt the external standard for Tables, Graphs and Equations from 11MAT you will also need approval from the Head of Mathematics to take this course. 

This course has a strong focus on Algebra and introduces the Mathematics of change - Calculus, for the first time. Students taking this path will enjoy problem solving and have methodical work habits. This course is well-placed to support students who are looking for future pathways in STEM subjects.

You will learn a range of topics following on from work learned in 11MAT, leading on to NCEA Level 3 Statistics or Mathematics.  If you did not attempt one external standard from Tables, Graphs and Equations OR Chance and Data from 11MAT you will also need approval from the Head of Mathematics to take this course. 

This course has a strong focus on Statistics and Probability. Students taking this course will enjoy analysing data and have good writing skills. This course is well-placed to support students who are looking for future pathways in STEM subjects.

Year 12 Music looks to further grow your skills as a performer. This year you will develop your repertoire list and be expected to perform more substantial music. You will also have the choice to continue with Composition, or complete a NZ Music research assessment.

The Performing Arts department has a number of co-curricular activities for students to partake in: RockQuest and Tangata Beats competitions, Barbershop groups, Choir, WHATShow and ShowQuest. 

In 12 Physical Education you will undertake 6 internal assessments, totaling 22 credits.

This course covers several biophysical principles, across two assessments, one which looks at improving a physical skill, and the other focusing on a training programme. This training programme will be implemented as we train for the Tough Guy/Gal event, a 6km 'tough-mudder' run in Rotorua. When in Rotorua, we will also complete the Adrenalin Forest course, and cover a Safety Management standard, worth 3 credits.

Other assessments include Hellison's Social Responsibility, where the focus will be on developing soft skills, such as Leadership, Communication and Team Work.

This course is considered an academic course, and we will be in the classroom approximately 60% of the year.

Why study physics?

Level 2 Physics builds on and extends the concepts introduced in Level 1 Science. Physics is the study of the nature and properties of matter, forces, and energy. From the smallest subatomic particle to the infinite universe. You will learn aspects of it all. 

 More importantly, you will be developing lifelong skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Physics is often described as applied mathematics, you will see how the algebra and number skills you learn have a real-world application through formulae and relationships. A key part of your learning will be practical based, conducting and critiquing investigations is what a physicist does.

What will I learn?

Topics include a practical component with graphical analysis; Light and Waves; Classical Mechanics; Electricity and Electromagnetism, and an introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics. 

https://www.khanacademy.org/sc...

Developing Scientific skills is crucial to thriving in a changing world. Many of the major challenges that confront our world need to be approached from a scientific perspective. 

In this Science course, you will study Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Space standards; building on the knowledge you have gained in the last three years. 

In all of the standards studied, you will develop practical skills, and the internal assessments you complete will be based on practical experiments.

Topics include; Using Microscopes, Chemical Reactions, Extreme Organisms, Measuring and Analysing Data, and Earth Science.

In 12 Sport and Leisure Studies you will undertake 6 internal assessments, totaling 18 credits.

This course will assist you to develop soft skills, such as Leadership, Communication and Team Work, through multiple assessments including ABL activities, group processes and teaching others. You will also be involved in a practical assessment, which could be a biathlon/triathlon, worth 4 credits. The final assessments will cover fast-5 netball, where you will participate as a player as well as an official, learning and enforcing the rules of the game.

This course is considered a practical course, however you will be expected to complete small portions of written work to be assessed.

You will need to have a high level of participation, and an interest in building physical fitness and skills..

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

Numeracy: This course is designed to provide a pathway for students who still need to achieve the NCEA Numeracy co-requisite requirements for NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3. Students will complete a variety of learning with a strong emphasis on basic number calculations, measurement, and statistical calculations and interpretations. This achievement standard is taught at a slightly slower pace and students are given lots of practical opportunities to understand their learning.  This course is suited to students who have found Year 10 Numeracy and/or their Mathematics course(s) challenging. There is no progression from this course into Level 2 Mathematics. Students will choose this course with guidance from their Numeracy and Mathematics Course teachers and/or the Head of Mathematics. 

Internal: 10 credits - assessed via a one hour digital test in June and September of each year.

Pasifika Performing Arts combines the learning areas of Dance and Drama and opens up more learning opportunities for those students who choose to take this course to explore and understand more about Pasifika culture through a dance and drama lens.

Students will have the opportunity to learn and create Pasifika dances that they can add to their Pasifika Fusion bracket and teach to their fellow students.  Students will also get the opportunity to learn, create and share Pasifika stories through drama performances and design and create traditional Pasifika costuming.

Students will have the opportunity to share their performance at local community events, Pasifika Fusion and share their knowledge with local primary schools.

STAR Course

KEY POINTS:

- STAR is available on ALL lines

- Requires self- directed learning, and therefore not suited to everyone. 

- You will need to be able to work in the Te Whare Awhina (LSC) environment.

- Not all subject/industry areas will have Level Two/Three units available.

- Students should know what they want to do when they leave school, before applying.

While choosing subjects for the year, students may have identified an area of interest that is not available to them in the traditional timetable, and therefore have opted into STAR.

You will be timetabled for four hours per week in which you may be expected to attend class in Te Whare Awhina and work through your workbook in the area of interest you have chosen.

You will need to fill out an application form to do STAR, and placement of students in STAR is not guaranteed. Throughout the year, failure to meet the requirements set out may lead to students being removed from STAR and placed back in mainstream classes.

If you are interested in STAR please see Mr Buchanan or Mrs Holland

This course aims to build student knowledge in the four language strands of tuhituhi, pānui, kōrero & whakarongo.

The main focus of the course content is around strengthening skills in: - Reading - Writing - Speaking - Listening.

Success in the Level 1 Te Reo Maori course can provide students with a step toward completing NCEA Level 1 and entry to NCEA Level 2 Te Reo Maori. Those who complete the Panui & Tuhituhi standards give themselves the chance to gain the compulsory 10 credits required for Literacy Level 1.

You will need a chromebook for this class.

Te Pakaritanga

Te Hau Rāwhiti is our Level 2 NCEA course. The main focus of the course is around confidently using skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. There are tasks for each area that you will complete over the year where you will demonstrate your ability to use grammatical structures and vocabulary.

Success in the Level 2 Te Reo Maori course can provide you with a step toward completing NCEA Level 2 and entry to NCEA Level 3 Te Reo Maori.  All students will have the opportunity of achieving an endorsement in Te Reo Māori provided the grades reach the required level.

Tourism is one of New Zealand's most valuable exports. Millions of visitors come to New Zealand every year to explore what this country has to offer.  As a student of Tourism, you will learn about the Tourism industry and the importance that this has in New Zealand. You will learn about Domestic and International Tourism, attractions and activities from around the world and in New Zealand, as well as what work roles are available to those who wish to pursue a career in this fast growing industry. This course is assessed through a range of Unit Standards that cover a variety a topics which students can choose from to suit their interests.

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

Students will learn the English language skills that will help them work independently in other classes and/or prepare them for entrance into tertiary study in New Zealand.  Therefore, students will learn to understand ideas and information through the skills of listening, reading and viewing.  They will also learn to create meaning through speaking, writing and presenting.  By doing this they will have the opportunity to gain at least 20 NCEA credits at achieved, merit or excellence. Students can also be assessed on L4 Reading and Writing Standards in order to gain entrance to University (UE Literacy).

In this course you will delve deeper into the world of food through the Hospitality lens. You will further develop your ability to prepare, cook and serve a variety of different food and drinks in an industry setting and there will be an emphasis on presenting the food to a high standard.  You will work with a qualified chef to prepare and present a variety of dishes in our School Restaurant that we run in terms 1 and 2.  You will learn advanced Barista skills like Latte Art and work with outside organizations to further develop your skills in this area.  There will be opportunities for you to advance yourself through opportunities like DINE Academy and workshops where we will work with people from the wider Hospitality Industry.  If you have a love of food and are good with people then this course is right for you.

Take items from the world around us and make them into amazing art works. A practical art course where you will explore and build skills through various art disciplines including: painting, printmaking, and sculpture.  Throughout the year you will learn a range of skills using various wet and dry media including: pencil, pen, pastel, collage, paint and ink.  From these skills you will combine them to create a theme-based folio board that interests you.  The skills you learn will allow you to do well in the Year 12 and 13 Art Programmes of Fine Art (Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture), Photography and Design.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Design Students)

Select from a range of design briefs and develop a range of imaginative and inspirational design solutions.  The brief to choose from include: graphic design, advertising; fashion and architecture.

This is an introductory course for students interested in Photography and/or Design.  You will learn to use a camera, along with learning Photoshop, Illustration and InDesign programmes to enable you to manipulate images and develop design ideas.  You will learn to use the design process in order to enrich your creativity.  There are options if you are taking two lines of Art at Year 11, to complete a Level 2 Printmaking or Sculpture folio in this option.

(Work from 2020 Level 1 Waiopehu Photography and Design Students)

Mahi Toi is a proud celebration of Aotearoa’s multicultural identity. This exciting NCEA Level One Visual Art course is an immersive exploration of mana atua (spiritual), mana whenua (land), mana tupuna (ancestry) and te mana tangata (character). Students will learn how to use natural materials to preserve and pass down Māori knowledge, following the values, protocols and traditions of te Ao Māori. Guest speakers and field trips will be a major component of research in this course.

Biologists and students studying biology want to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life.

What will I do in Level 2 Biology? 

We will provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills that enable you to be ‘scientifically literate citizens. You will develop an understanding of how biological theories and ideas have evolved over time and as technology has improved. Practical investigations will provide you with opportunities to experience how scientists learn more about living organisms. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Biology? 

1. learn about the diverse ways in which animals and plants carry out life processes 
2. be able to explain how the interaction between ecological factors and natural selection leads to genetic change within populations
3. carry out an investigation that includes developing your understanding of the relationship between the investigation and scientific theory 

Chemistry affects our daily life and enables us to enjoy the standard of living we have.  Chemistry explains how things work.  The level 2 Chemistry course aims to provide a solid foundation of skills and concepts on which to base further studies in Chemistry. 

What will I do in Level 2 Chemistry? 

You will develop your skills of observation in a chemical context, learning to link observations to chemical species. You will learn to work with accuracy and precision when analyzing chemical substances. Practical work will be supported by chemical equations and calculations. The Internal assessments in Level 2 Chemistry will develop practical skills and be supported by chemical equations and calculations. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Chemistry? 

Level 2 Chemistry is

1. Understanding how atoms in molecules are held together and how this determines the properties of the molecules.
2. Understanding the factors that influence rates of reaction, equilibrium reactions and the properties of acids and bases. 

The content covered in the two externals will provide an understanding of concepts that will be further developed in Level 3 Chemistry

This course is aimed at students who may have either;  not completed a full year of Level One or Two English for a variety of reasons, or who may have struggled in some way to complete the assessments.  It is expected that this course may include a mixture of both Year 12 and Year 13 students.  This course will support the completion of the University Entrance Literacy Standards, either for Tertiary study or just to improve literacy for the future.  

Students will still study and analyse text and further develop writing skills to plan, write and present work for a range of purposes and audiences.  This class will include a range of internal assessments, as well as an external assessment for those who are capable of it. This range will be personalised where appropriate to meet the interests and needs of individual students.   

While it is possible to complete the full amount of credits for University Entrance Literacy in internal assessments, some students may choose to sit an external assessment for additional credits.  Students will be supported to complete at least 14 credits in internal assessments and if they choose, prepare for an external exam.  Each external exam is worth four credits. 

The achievement standards attached to this course below are an indication of some of the internally and externally assessed standards you will be offered in this course.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Stationery Requirements:

Headphones/earphones suitable for use with student's device.

This course is not eligible for subject endorsement unless the student chooses to do an external exam.

Course Contribution: nil

Why study physics?

Level 2 Physics builds on and extends the concepts introduced in Level 1 Science. Physics is the study of the nature and properties of matter, forces, and energy. From the smallest subatomic particle to the infinite universe. You will learn aspects of it all. 

 More importantly, you will be developing lifelong skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Physics is often described as applied mathematics, you will see how the algebra and number skills you learn have a real-world application through formulae and relationships. A key part of your learning will be practical based, conducting and critiquing investigations is what a physicist does.

What will I learn?

Topics include a practical component with graphical analysis; Light and Waves; Classical Mechanics; Electricity and Electromagnetism, and an introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics. 

https://www.khanacademy.org/sc...

Developing Scientific skills is crucial to thriving in a changing world. Many of the major challenges that confront our world need to be approached from a scientific perspective. 

In this Science course, you will study Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Space standards; building on the knowledge you have gained in the last three years. 

In all of the standards studied, you will develop practical skills, and the internal assessments you complete will be based on practical experiments.

Topics include; Using Microscopes, Chemical Reactions, Extreme Organisms, Measuring and Analysing Data, and Earth Science.

This is an industry-based course.  Students will plan and undertake the construction of a Stage 3 BCITO project.  They will have the opportunity to gain credits while working on complex structures based on a real life brief.  They will be able to gain experiences of how trades work together to complete a set task for a client.

You will learn the skills and behaviours that would enable you to make responsible financial decisions.  The process includes considering the impact on their personal life, their whanau/family, and the community.

Master creative skills to design buildings and products. 

During a creative project of your choice, you'll master real-world skills in sketching, model-making, and design processes.  These skills could set you up for a variety of careers, or provide a creative outlet for your learning in other areas.  Choose this course to learn how your ideas can shape the world around you.

By following the design process and using a myriad of traditional and digital mark making techniques you will select and resolve a design brief with your creative flair and passion.

You will learn to use Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to design publicity, event or business of your choice.  You will explore various elements of design which include typography, illustration, image-making, product branding, website design, user experience design, and animation.  By the end of the course you will be able to understand how to visually communicate your ideas to a wider audience.  There is now an option to submit your work as a digital portfolio for the external standard for those interested in animation or time based projects.

(Work from 2020 Level 3 Waiopehu Design Students)

(Work from 2020 Level 3 Waiopehu Photography Students)

By thinking outside the box, using photographers and artists and enhancing your Photoshop skills, you will create a portfolio of work that reveals your innate creativity.

You will use cameras and Photoshop to make and digitally manipulate quality images.  For the two internal standards students explore different types of photography, lighting, lenses and photograph a variety of themes to create series of works.  Once a successful theme has been developed, students us this as a starting point to create their three panel Folio for external assessment.  There will be one trip during the year to visit a relevant exhibition.  There is now an option to present a digital portfolio for the external standard for those interested in film, animation or time-based projects.

Biologists and students studying biology want to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life. 

What will I do in Level 3 Biology?

 We will provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills that enable you to be ‘scientifically literate citizens. You will develop an understanding of how biological theories and ideas have evolved over time and as technology has improved. You will learn to communicate using the language of biology when discussing or evaluating biological issues. 

What will I learn in Level 3 Biology? 

1. learn about the relationship between organisms and the environment 
2. explore the evolutionary processes that have resulted in the diversity of life on Earth and appreciate the place and impact of humans within these processes
3. integrate biological knowledge to make informed judgments about the social, ethical, and biological implications to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
4. carry out an investigation that includes developing your understanding of the relationship between the investigation and scientific theory

You will learn about the range and types of information and skills required for effective money management.  The course also aims to encourage the development of competency in knowing where to get financial information and managing money in a commercial environment.

The course is most appropriate for students who have an interest in the continuing study of mathematics, the sciences, engineering, or any field in which logical reasoning and analysis are important tools.

If you have not taken 12 MATA you must see the Head of Mathematics for approval to take this course. Students who did not attempt the external examination for Calculus offered in 12 MATA in 2023 will also need approval from the Head of Mathematics.

This is an NCEA approved subject for University Entrance and students will need to pass at least one external standard to gain the required number of credits. 

This course is designed to give a broad understanding of the principles and concepts of Chemistry.   Chemistry is a science that helps us to describe and explain our world.  

This course aims to prepare you for future studies in Chemistry or meet the requirements for entry to other tertiary courses. 

What will I do in Level 3 Chemistry? 

Level 3 Chemistry builds on many of the concepts learned in Level 2 Chemistry.

 You will continue to develop practical skills, linking observation with chemical species and explaining the observations.

What will I learn in Level 3 Chemistry? 

The content focus of Level 3 Chemistry is

1. Comparing electrolysis and electrochemical cells. 
2. Explaining Periodic trends and intermolecular forces.
3. Understanding how the functional groups of organic molecules determine their reactivity. 
4. Using spectroscopic data to identify organic molecules 
5. Applying equilibrium principles to solubility and acid and base behaviour. 

The standards offered in Year 13 aim to provide skills and content knowledge to allow students to pursue a variety of courses in the future. There will be some optional standards and students will be required to make their choices at different times during the year.

Continue to develop your knowledge of dance.  You will complete a minimum of four Achievement Standards during the year.

You will choose a project and select the standards suitable for that project.  You may also be able to do some Generic Technology Standards or some Unit Standards.  To gain subject endorsement you will need to do one of the external standards.

NOTE: A typical program of study will earn approximately 25 - 30 credits.

Continue to develop your knowledge of dance drama.  You will complete a minimum of four Achievement/Unit Standards during the year.

Economics is the study of how people choose to use resources and how they behave when making financial and non-financial decisions.  Although the behaviour of individuals is important, Economics also address the collective behaviour of businesses and industries, governments and countries, and the globe as a whole.

Develop as an engineer at an advanced level, through manufacturing a product of your choice.  Design, develop and prototype your product from start to finish, focusing on quality manufacture and refined creative ideas.

Experience has shown that many students discover an absolute passion for literature when studying English at Level Three. They will also develop their writing skills to a level that prepares them well for tertiary study. 

The Level Three English course offers the full amount of credits and assessments required for a student to complete University Entrance (UE) Literacy. However, many students who have taken English at Level Two will have already achieved these.  Students who may be thinking about future tertiary study should be thinking about English at Level Three to help  improve their chances of success in tertiary study.  Auckland University currently requires 17 credits specifically, in Level Two or Three English.

Every class will include both a range of internal assessments, as well as external assessments. This range will be personalised where appropriate to meet the interests and needs of individual students.   

Most students will complete at least 14 credits in internal assessments and be prepared for two of their choice of three, of the external exams.  External exams are each worth four credits.  This means the average student should complete 22 credits.  For more motivated students, more assessments are available.

Students may choose to attend  a Scholarship class. This is currently an elective option.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Stationery Requirements:

Headphones/earphones for use with student's device.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Course Contribution: nil

(Work from 2020 Level 3 Waiopehu Fine Art Students)

You will look for your muse from which to inflame your creative passions in an expression of inspirational art works.  For hundreds of years artists have sought a muse to ignite their creative spark that feeds the dreams of each new civilization.  Your ultimate goal is to inspire and transcend the benign and ordinary and rise on the flames of inspiration and creativity to create a range of outstanding art works.

You will develop ideas around a theme and style, and explore a range of drawing techniques within your chosen field of practice (Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture).  After developing initial ideas as part of the internal assessments, you will use these ideas as a basis for developing work for your external folio assessment.

You will investigate a nutritional issue affecting the well-being of New Zealand society and you will implement an action plan to address your chosen issue.  You will also investigate the influence multinational food corporations have on our eating patterns and analyse the influences of food advertising on well being.  

Level 3 Geography has two distinct aspects: external examination topics and Internal assessment.  Successful completion of all internal assessment opportunities will satisfy the University Entrance requirements of 14 credits in an approved subject.

The external examination topic is focused on tourism development in Rotorua.  You will learn why and how Rotorua grew to be a premium destination for thousands of tourists  from both international and domestic markets.  There is a possible three day trip to Rotorua.

Internal assessment topics will be developed from student interest in global issues.  These are generally research based topics.  Topics previously investigated have been:  ocean plastics,  changing weather patterns,  COVID 19,  human trafficking,   pressure on NZ's Great Walks.

Why this course:
This course is aimed at students who are interested in a health science, psychology, public health or education pathway. It contains 19 credits, across four assessments, and is a university approved subject with UE available. The content of this course is student driven so you can direct your learning in topics you feel passionate about. This course is for students with an interest in Health and wellbeing at a personal, interpersonal and societal level. 

Course information:
Students will select a health issue, illness or disease and investigate a variety of health practices used to treat the matter. They will learn about ethical principles and debate a range of ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and the use of drugs in sport. Students will also analyse a New Zealand health issue such as methamphetamine use, binge drinking or teenage pregnancy, and look at the impact this is having on our society. For the external exam students will learn about and analyse an international health issue.

This course examine a range of topics that explore the contentious nature of history. Students will need to take on the role of an historian, delving into sources of information and thinking critically about dominant and missing voices. We will explore the impacts of an imbalance of power, especially within Aotearoa and the wider Pacific. This could include topics such as land confiscation, suppression of te reo, the Mau movement, missionaries, the Native Land Court and te Tiriti o Waitangi, to name just a few. Within this course, students will be able to pursue topics that they connect with and are passionate about.

This course will help to develop students' research, critical thinking, essay writing and analytical skills. These are essential for a range of careers, further study and to be empowered to take an active role in the world in which we live. It is also possible to gain University Entrance literacy from this course.

You will learn a range of topics suited to students who wish to build on material covered in Level 2 Mathematics or Mathematics Advanced.  This course provides a foundation in Mathematics for students who intend to go on to tertiary study. Two of the statistics achievement standards offered in this course have a strong focus on research and writing.

Students selecting this course need to be committed to working with determination all year. 

UE Mathematics can be achieved in this class via internally assessed standards. This course does not offer any externally assessed standards.  

Now in your last year in music, you will continue develop and enhance your skills as a solo artist and as a member of a group. As your theory knowledge expands, so too will your performance ability through engaging in meaningful and inspiring performances, both at school and in the local community.

This is an academic course which will allow you to learn how to

- Plan, organise and evaluate an event; 

- Research a trend, issue or event and look at it's impacts on society;

- Participate and achieve in a sport against National Standards; 

- Improve personal performance through analysis of anatomical and bio mechanical factors; 

- Plan and implement Safety Management procedures - possible class trip.

Students need to be prepared to undertake both practical and theory activities, and work independently at times to do research and complete assessments. You can achieve 17 credits over the five assessments.

Physics is the study of the nature and properties of matter, forces, and energy. From the smallest sub-atomic particle to the infinite universe. You will learn aspects of it all. 

Topics taught in Year 13 include wave systems and modern physics (quantum physics), mechanical and electrical systems. More importantly, you will be developing lifelong skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. 

Physics is often described as applied mathematics, you will see how the algebra and number skills you learn have a real-world application through formulae and relationships. 

A key part of your learning will be report-based, researching and critiquing evidence, and communicating your understanding of socio-scientific issues. 

Developing Scientific skills is crucial to thriving in a changing world. Many of the major challenges that confront our world need to be approached from a scientific perspective. 

In this Science course, you will study Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Space standards; building on the knowledge you have gained in the last three years. 

In all of the standards studied, you will develop practical skills, and the internal assessments you complete will be based on practical experiments.

You will learn to investigate, understand and explain our natural world, the physical world, and the wider universe.  You will generate and test ideas, gather evidence - including making observations, carrying out investigations and modeling, and communicating and debating with others - in order to develop scientific knowledge, understanding, and explanations.  

All the Achievement Standards are University Entrance approved.  Topics include; Meteors, Is there life in space? Homeostasis, Spectroscopy, and Potatoes.

In 13 Sport and Leisure Studies you will undertake 4 internal assessments, totaling 16 credits.

This course will assist you to develop soft skills, such as Leadership, Communication and Team Work, through multiple assessments including planning and running a recreational activity, and a High Ropes camp in Wainuiomata. This camp will run across a full week, and you will be required to show safe working practices, self manage your time while away as well as demonstrate an ability to interact positively with your peers. 

During Term Two you will be required to plan and implement a physical activity for a group other than your peers. The final assessment for the year will be a practical assessment which requires you to demonstrate a variety of badminton skills and tactics. There is no written component for this last assessment.

This course is considered a practical course, however you will be expected to complete portions of written work to be assessed.

You will need to have a high level of involvement, and an interest in developing areas of yourself.

You will learn a range of topics suited to students who intend to go on to tertiary study and complete courses that rely on statistical knowledge. This course supports learning in other areas, such as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Geography. It provides good background knowledge to support these areas at university.  

This is an approved NCEA course for UE and students will need to pass an externally assessed standard in order to meet the required number of credits. 

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

Numeracy: This course is designed to provide a pathway for students who still need to achieve the NCEA Numeracy co-requisite requirements for NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3. Students will complete a variety of learning with a strong emphasis on basic number calculations, measurement, and statistical calculations and interpretations. This achievement standard is taught at a slightly slower pace and students are given lots of practical opportunities to understand their learning.  This course is suited to students who have found Year 10 Numeracy and/or their Mathematics course(s) challenging. There is no progression from this course into Level 2 Mathematics. Students will choose this course with guidance from their Numeracy and Mathematics Course teachers and/or the Head of Mathematics. 

Internal: 10 credits - assessed via a one hour digital test in June and September of each year.

Te Pakaritanga

Ngā Hau e wha  is our Level 3 NCEA course. The main focus of the course is around  using skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Māori. There are tasks for each area that you will complete over the year where you will demonstrate your capability to use grammatical structures and vocabulary. A range of themes and skills will be practiced through listening, speaking, reading and writing in Māori. 

Success in the Level 3 Te Reo Maori course can provide you with a step toward completing NCEA Level 3. Those who complete the Panui & Tuhituhi standards gain the compulsory 10 credits required for university entrance. All students will have the opportunity of achieving an endorsement in Te Reo Māori provided the grades reach the required level.
Ākonga are expected to have three years or more experience in Te Reo Māori.

Pasifika Performing Arts combines the learning areas of Dance and Drama and opens up more learning opportunities for those students who choose to take this course to explore and understand more about Pasifika culture through a dance and drama lens.

Students will have the opportunity to learn and create Pasifika dances that they can add to their Pasifika Fusion bracket and teach to their fellow students.  Students will also get the opportunity to learn, create and share Pasifika stories through drama performances and design and create traditional Pasifika costuming.

Students will have the opportunity to share their performance at local community events, Pasifika Fusion and share their knowledge with local primary schools.

STAR Course

KEY POINTS:

- STAR is available on ALL lines

- Requires self- directed learning, and therefore not suited to everyone. 

- You will need to be able to work in the Te Whare Awhina (LSC) environment.

- Not all subject/industry areas will have Level Two/Three units available.

- Students should know what they want to do when they leave school, before applying.

While choosing subjects for the year, students may have identified an area of interest that is not available to them in the traditional timetable, and therefore have opted into STAR.

You will be timetabled for four hours per week in which you may be expected to attend class in Te Whare Awhina and work through your workbook in the area of interest you have chosen.

You will need to fill out an application form to do STAR, and placement of students in STAR is not guaranteed. Throughout the year, failure to meet the requirements set out may lead to students being removed from STAR and placed back in mainstream classes.

If you are interested in STAR please see Mr Buchanan or Mrs Holland

Critical Thinking

This course is for students who are speakers of other languages. It will support you with your other subjects, through learning in the ESOL classroom and/or in having support within your other classes. By doing this you will learn the English language skills that will help you work independently and prepare you for the senior school. You will have an individual programme which is designed to meet your needs.

Students will learn the English language skills that will help them work independently in other classes and/or prepare them for entrance into tertiary study in New Zealand.  Therefore, students will learn to understand ideas and information through the skills of listening, reading and viewing.  They will also learn to create meaning through speaking, writing and presenting.  By doing this they will have the opportunity to gain at least 20 NCEA credits at achieved, merit or excellence. Students can also be assessed on L4 Reading and Writing Standards in order to gain entrance to University (UE Literacy).

Biologists and students studying biology want to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life.

What will I do in Level 2 Biology? 

We will provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills that enable you to be ‘scientifically literate citizens. You will develop an understanding of how biological theories and ideas have evolved over time and as technology has improved. Practical investigations will provide you with opportunities to experience how scientists learn more about living organisms. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Biology? 

1. learn about the diverse ways in which animals and plants carry out life processes 
2. be able to explain how the interaction between ecological factors and natural selection leads to genetic change within populations
3. carry out an investigation that includes developing your understanding of the relationship between the investigation and scientific theory 

Chemistry affects our daily life and enables us to enjoy the standard of living we have.  Chemistry explains how things work.  The level 2 Chemistry course aims to provide a solid foundation of skills and concepts on which to base further studies in Chemistry. 

What will I do in Level 2 Chemistry? 

You will develop your skills of observation in a chemical context, learning to link observations to chemical species. You will learn to work with accuracy and precision when analyzing chemical substances. Practical work will be supported by chemical equations and calculations. The Internal assessments in Level 2 Chemistry will develop practical skills and be supported by chemical equations and calculations. 

What will I learn in Level 2 Chemistry? 

Level 2 Chemistry is

1. Understanding how atoms in molecules are held together and how this determines the properties of the molecules.
2. Understanding the factors that influence rates of reaction, equilibrium reactions and the properties of acids and bases. 

The content covered in the two externals will provide an understanding of concepts that will be further developed in Level 3 Chemistry

NCEA Level 1 Mathematics or NCEA Numeracy is compulsory for all students.

We offer 3 different courses and will work with you to select the course that best meets your learning needs for 2024.  The majority of students will take either Level 1 Mathematics with Statistics OR Level 1 Mathematics with Algebra as their course in 2024. Some students will be enrolled in NCEA Numeracy if they have not yet met the Numeracy co-requisite at the start of 2024.  If you have any concerns about your class please contact the Head of Mathematics.

Numeracy: This course is designed to provide a pathway for students who still need to achieve the NCEA Numeracy co-requisite requirements for NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3. Students will complete a variety of learning with a strong emphasis on basic number calculations, measurement, and statistical calculations and interpretations. This achievement standard is taught at a slightly slower pace and students are given lots of practical opportunities to understand their learning.  This course is suited to students who have found Year 10 Numeracy and/or their Mathematics course(s) challenging. There is no progression from this course into Level 2 Mathematics. Students will choose this course with guidance from their Numeracy and Mathematics Course teachers and/or the Head of Mathematics. 

Internal: 10 credits - assessed via a one hour digital test in June and September of each year.

Pasifika Performing Arts combines the learning areas of Dance and Drama and opens up more learning opportunities for those students who choose to take this course to explore and understand more about Pasifika culture through a dance and drama lens.

Students will have the opportunity to learn and create Pasifika dances that they can add to their Pasifika Fusion bracket and teach to their fellow students.  Students will also get the opportunity to learn, create and share Pasifika stories through drama performances and design and create traditional Pasifika costuming.

Students will have the opportunity to share their performance at local community events, Pasifika Fusion and share their knowledge with local primary schools.

STAR Course

KEY POINTS:

- STAR is available on ALL lines

- Requires self- directed learning, and therefore not suited to everyone. 

- You will need to be able to work in the Te Whare Awhina (LSC) environment.

- Not all subject/industry areas will have Level Two/Three units available.

- Students should know what they want to do when they leave school, before applying.

While choosing subjects for the year, students may have identified an area of interest that is not available to them in the traditional timetable, and therefore have opted into STAR.

You will be timetabled for four hours per week in which you may be expected to attend class in Te Whare Awhina and work through your workbook in the area of interest you have chosen.

You will need to fill out an application form to do STAR, and placement of students in STAR is not guaranteed. Throughout the year, failure to meet the requirements set out may lead to students being removed from STAR and placed back in mainstream classes.

If you are interested in STAR please see Mr Buchanan or Mrs Holland