Wellington College

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of Drama and Performing Arts. Our 13 week program allows students of all performance abilities and readiness to be able to succeed comfortably in our program. By the end of the unit, the students will have been introduced to Drama Techniques and Elements as well as the Radio Drama genre. In groups they will have produced a mini-length Radio Play where they will write, perform and record their own script utilising Foley sound effects and voice acting. As well as being assessed on their performance ability, the students will also need to demonstrate manaakitanga in the collaboration process. 

Full year course

In Year 10 Chinese, a range of topics will be covered, including my family, daily routines, sports, clothing and colours, my house and room, weather and seasons, and transport. By the end of the course, you will be able to use simple texts to describe various aspects of your daily and family life. The course emphasizes communication in Chinese using basic vocabulary and sentence structures, and it aims to build your confidence in writing simple Chinese sentences. You will also have the opportunity to explore Chinese culture.

Year 10 students will choose TWO of three available Social Science courses

Year 10 Commerce is a two-term course that immerses students in the world of business through an online retail clothing simulation. By taking on real-world roles, students gain hands-on experience in key areas of commerce, including financial decision-making, marketing to a target audience, managing staff and inventory, and overseeing cash flow. Throughout the course, students regularly reflect on their performance, evaluate outcomes, and develop strategies for improvement, building practical skills that extend beyond the classroom. Woven throughout the course are elements of financial literacy, where students learn the importance of real world topics such as kiwisaver, avoiding scams and employee workplace rights. All students that participate in 10CMM will also be a part of a class auction, where they use net profit they have made in the retail clothing simulation to bid on real items! This course is a fun and engaging taster for future Commerce courses at Wellington College. 

Elective full year course

Year 10 Drama builds on students' knowledge from Year 9 and develops their performance ability across a range of theatre forms and contexts. Students will gain an understanding of Drama Techniques, Melodrama and Soap Opera, Theatre Aotearoa, and Improvised Drama. Year 10 Drama is a dynamic and fast paced program and students should be prepared to collaborate with manaakitanga in group based contexts. Although Year 10 Drama has a strong focus on performance, students will also learn skills in script writing, and directing.

• Goals
  • To develop confidence when performing in front of a small audience
  • To extend students understanding of Drama and its importance
  • To build skills in communication and creation

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to work collaboratively
  • Demonstrate manaakitanga
  • Be receptive to feedback

The course progresses from the material studied in Year 9, but a greater level of sophisticated thought and creativity is developed.

English at Years 9 and 10 is structured into two strands: Text Studies and Language Studies. In Year 10 English (10ENG), you will analyse, interpret, and respond to a wide range of literary and non-fiction texts, exploring themes, structures, and contexts, while studying the features of language to understand how they shape meaning and influence interpretation. Building on this understanding, you will engage in the creation of texts, applying your knowledge of language, structure, and style to purposefully construct meaning and communicate effectively. 

Year 10 English prepares you by building foundational knowledge and skills for higher-level study, and the transferable literacy skills needed for success in all areas. 

In Year 10 English Language, students continue to develop their English skills through basic listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks. Students will also improve their vocabulary and spelling through weekly spelling tests.  This programme prepares students for further study in English Language at later stages. It also helps students gain confidence to engage more in their daily New Zealand life.  

In Year 10 French, we continue to build on the language skills learned in Year 9. Students learn to talk about their school life, school subjects and express opinions on school and daily routine. Students learn to describe their town and area in detail, learn how to give directions, research a French speaking town/area, design a tourism brochure, as well as, talk about holiday plans using the simple future. Students will also discuss food, drinks and other aspects of French culture and learn how to say what they do to live a healthy lifestyle. Again the emphasis is on speaking as much French as possible in class with their peers. There is an opportunity for students to take the DELF exam at A1 level - this is run by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise and is a qualification based on the Common European Framework for Languages. There is a separate cost for this exam.

Students must choose TWO of three possible Social Science courses at Year 10

Geography is the study of places, what makes them special, what happens within them, the connections among them, and the processes that have made them. Geographers specialise in studying the interactions between social and natural processes, the landscapes and social forms produced by these relationships, and how and why the places they make differ across space and time. Geographers have a deep interest in how our world is changing and how societies might intervene to make better futures.

Goals

With climate change upon us, environmental crises, growing inequalities in New Zealand and around the world, along with the increasing threat of global conflict, the subject of Geography has never been more important.  Through purposeful study of Geography, the goal for students is to be well placed to make sense of the changes happening in our world.  In addition to that you will develop geographical understandings that can lead to a diverse range of well paid and in-demand Geography career options. 

By the end of this course you will:

1. Have a good general knowledge of both New Zealand and world geography.
2. Have developed a wide range of geographic skills (including navigation skills).
3. Be familiar with basic geographic concepts.
4. Be very well placed to study Geography at Year 11.

The Year 10 Geography topics are:

1. Mapping New Zealand & the world.
2. Orienteering on Matairangi Mt Victoria.
3. Human Geography: Tourism
4. Human Geography: Global study of gangs.
5. Physical Geography: Landforms.
6. Disappearing places

Field Trip: There is a one day earthquake field trip around the Hutt Valley region.  At this stage it is likely to be in Terms 2 & 4.  There will be a charge to cover transport and details will be given nearer the time.  Students will also do orienteering on Mount Victoria. 

Year 10 Health and Physical Education offers students a privileged opportunity to engage in a dynamic, progressive programme supported by exceptional teaching and access to outstanding facilities. Designed to challenge and inspire, this course empowers students to grow physically, mentally, and socially through meaningful learning experiences that reflect the real world.

Students take part in three lessons per week, two practical and one theoretical. The course provides explicit teaching of Hauora, with a strong focus on building resilience, leadership, interpersonal skills, and the ability to make health-enhancing decisions in their daily lives.

Key learning opportunities include:

• Healthy Relationships – exploring empathy, communication, and emotional wellbeing
• Small and Large Ball Games – refining movement mastery and team strategies
• Sports Performance Strategies – understanding the tactics and preparation behind successful play
• Decision-Making Around Relationships and Vaping – promoting informed, confident choices
• International Games and Athletics – celebrating global diversity through physical activity
• Leadership in Action – developing teamwork, initiative, and confidence through peer engagement

Wellington College Health Education Delivery Statement 

At Wellington College, Health and Physical Education is partially integrated.  All Year 9 and Year 10 students experience practical and theory lessons that support them to “acquire a lifelong passion for learning” whilst developing their capacity to “become productive citizens”.  Students are taught that all dimensions of their well-being – Taha Tinana (Physical),Taha Whānau (Social), Taha Hinengaro (Mental/Emotional), Taha Wairua (Spiritual), Taha Whenua (Connection to the Land) – are important in achieving this vision.  Through participating in this programme students will be better equipped to not only enhance their own well-being, but that of others around them.  The key competencies of the New Zealand Curriculum (Thinking; Relating to Others; Using Lanugage, Symbols and Text; Participating and Contributing; Managing Self) are embedded in all that we do.  Students will be engaged in learning around topics including, but not limited to: mental health; sexuality education (including consent, promoting positive sexuality, safe sexual practices, and body images in media); personal care and hygiene; resiliency; assertiveness and decision making in situations involving drugs and alcohol; physical development; and promoting healthy active lifestyles.  Units and lessons are developed that are responsive to students’ ever changing needs and are reflective of our core values of Community, Oranga, Learning Together and Leadership.  All Wellington College health education is values based, in that the values, beliefs, and attitudes of each individual student are upheld in how we teach and learn. In addition to the compulsory Junior Health Curriculum, all students are presented with the opportunity to engage with Health studies in the Senior school, currently with opportunities to engage in full year level content in Years 11-13.  No compulsory Health curriculum is taught beyond Year 10.

If you have any queries about the Health curriculum, please contact the HOD Junior Health and Physical Education: Ben Taylor [email protected] 

Any whānau/caregivers wanting to have their child excluded from any particular element of sexuality education in the health education programme may write to the Headmaster requesting exclusion.  In such cases, self-guided alternative health education will be provided.

Students must choose TWO of the Social Science courses at Year 10 

Year 10 History builds on students' knowledge from Year 9 and is designed to foster a love of history while preparing students for Year 11 History, NCEA, and beyond.

Students will cover a range of topics, most likely be drawn from the following: 

-The Rise of Hitler

-The Rise and Fall of Al Capone

-The Russian Revolution and Stalin's Russia

-The Vikings

Full-year course by invitation only

10INS is designed to support students to develop literacy and numeracy skills to apply across the curriculum. The course also prepares students for the Literacy and Numeracy CAAs.

Student take 10INS in place of the language option.

Half-Year Course by invitation only

This course is designed to develop literacy and numeracy skills, along with planning and organisation, so that students can apply strategies to problems in all areas of the curriculum. Students take 10INT in place of one Social Science.

The Year 10 Japanese course is designed to help students further develop their Japanese language skills as second-year learners, building on the foundation established in Year 9. The following topics will be covered to support students in gaining an intermediate-level understanding of Japanese:

• Nations, Nationalities, and Languages
• School subjects
• Daily activities
• Family members
• Weather

In addition, students will learn the Katakana script and be introduced to new Kanji.

Half-year course by invitation only

10LIT supports students to develop their foundational literacy skills. This course covers reading and writing using a structured literacy approach. 

Invited students will complete this course in place of one Social Science. 

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua.

Topics Covered

• Number: develop an understanding of numbers, the ways they are represented, and the quantities for which they stan
• Algebra: develop the ability to think abstractly and to use symbols, notation, and graphs and diagrams to represent and communicate mathematical relationships, concepts, and generalisations
• Measurement: develop knowledge and understanding of systems of measurement and their use and interpretation
• Geometry: gain a knowledge of geometrical relations in two and three dimensions, and recognise and appreciate their occurrence in the environment
• Statistics & Probability: recognise appropriate statistical data for collection, and develop the skills of collecting, organising, and analysing data, and develop the ability to estimate probabilities and to use probabilities for prediction

Arithmetic, Algebraic Skills and Problem Solving will be maintained and developed. Geometry, Measuerment and Statistics will be studied, and Trigonometry will be seen for the first time. 

Note that you may be invited by the HOD to participate in 11MCA instead of 10MAT. If this applies to you, you will receive an email. 

General Music in Year 10 aims to offer a solid foundation of musical learning through performance activities, composing original music, analysing music in relation to students’ own lives, learning to read and write notated music, and use musical technology. Both General Music and Band Class offer the same assessments and content.

However, Band Class will focus on working in a group on learning activities, and learning contexts will focus on contemporary styles of music. General Music will focus more on individual musicianship and a range of musical styles.

General Music is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers, and musicians who do not want to specialise in contemporary rock/pop band styles of music. Band Class is a good choice for students looking to play in a band, singer-songwriters, or those that prefer working predominantly in groups.

See here for further information about all Music courses: https://sites.google.com/wc.school.nz/wcmusiccourseresources/home?authuser=0 

Music - Band Class in Year 10 aims to offer a solid foundation of musical learning through performance activities, composing original music, analysing music in relation to students’ own lives, learning to read and write notated music, and use musical technology. Both General Music and Band Class offer the same assessments and content.

However, Band Class will focus on working in a group on learning activities, and learning contexts will focus on contemporary styles of music. General Music will focus more on individual musicianship and a range of musical styles.

General Music is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers, and musicians who do not want to specialise in contemporary rock/pop band styles of music. Band Class is a good choice for students looking to play in a band, singer-songwriters, or those that prefer working predominantly in groups.

See more information about Music here: https://sites.google.com/wc.school.nz/wcmusiccourseresources/home?authuser=0 

In Year 10 Gagana Sāmoa-Samoan Language, we will continue to build on the language skills learned in Year 9. Students will cover topics about their home and school life, daily routines, favourite food, colours, hobbies, clothing, transport and giving directions and telling the time. Again, the emphasis is on speaking as much Gagana Sāmoa-Samoan Language as possible, listening  and being able to read and write simple sentences. We will continue to learn about Samoan cultural values, the Fa'asāmoa - Samoan way of life which includes, pese-song, siva-dance and aganu'u fa'asāmoa.  

Year 10 Science provides students with the opportunity to explore key ideas in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science through hands-on investigations and real-world contexts. Students develop scientific literacy and critical thinking by engaging in inquiry-based learning, group collaboration, and independent research.

The course prepares students for the challenges of Year 11 Science and helps them build a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and skills.

Note that some students may be invited to participate in our accelerated program. You will hear directly from the HOD if you are selected. 

In Year 10 Spanish, we continue to build on the language skills learned in Year 9. Students learn to talk about their school life, school subjects and express opinions on school and daily routine. Students learn to describe their town and area in detail, learn how to give directions, research a Spanish speaking town/area, design a tourism brochure, as well as, talk about holiday plans using the simple future. Students will also discuss food, drinks and other aspects of  Spanish culture and learn how to say what they do to live a healthy lifestyle. Again the emphasis is on speaking as much Spanish as possible in class with their peers. 

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, nau mai ki runga i tēnei huarahi e ako ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Welcome and congratulations on beginning this journey of learning our noble language. 

A knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori gives students the ability to participate fully in the Māori world. This is becoming even more necessary as New Zealand embraces its bicultural origins.

In this course there will be a vast range of activities with a wide range of learning experiences. Learning a language can be a hard task, and so a large emphasis will be placed on active engagement through fun activities that also promote whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga.  Our main goal for our ākonga in this course is to develop confidence in conversational te reo Māori.

Year 10 Technology follows a similar program to year 9. Students will complete projects for each of the three Technology subjects: Digital; Material; and Design & Visual Communication. This year there is a higher expectation on students to “effectively” use subject skills as well as design process and reflection.  

Elective full year course

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

Art allows you to communicate ideas, explore your identity, and think creatively about the world around you. It encourages curiosity, builds confidence, strengthens problem solving and design skills you can use in many areas of life. In Year 10 Art, you’ll develop your own style while learning a variety of new techniques. Projects include traditional landscape drawing and painting, character design, reduction woodblock printmaking and album cover design. This course is all about experimentation, creativity, and developing your own artistic voice. 

Whether you’re already a pro with a sketchbook or just want to try something new, Year 10 Art is all about finding your unique style and telling your story. We kick things off by leveling up your drawing and painting skills with techniques that build a solid foundation in traditional art skills. From there, it gets personal - you’ll dive into local Mātauranga through the school Mōteatea, creating a Woodcut Print in response to the landmarks and history of the land around us. To wrap up the year, you’ll get to bring legends to life in our Character Design unit; you’ll take inspiration from Pūrākau or mythology from your own culture to design a character and then actually build it as a 3D sculpture. It’s a year of making, messy hands, and turning your ideas into awesome art.  

• Goals
  • To develop skills in observational drawing, painting, and printmaking
    
  • To explore and communicate personal and cultural ideas through visual language
    
  • To understand how art is shaped by and reflects different social, cultural, and historical contexts
    
  • To describe and evaluate artworks through written and verbal reflection

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to try new materials and techniques
  • Be open to feedback and willing to revise your ideas
  • Engage in research and reflection as part of the creative process

Optional Additional Science Course

This course introduces students to key biological ideas through practical investigations, real-world contexts, and research. Topics include the structure and function of flowering plants, ecological relationships in New Zealand ecosystems, human body systems, and current socio-scientific issues such as the use of 1080 poison. Students will also build skills in data collection, analysis, and scientific communication. This course provides a strong foundation for further study in Biology and the Health Sciences.

In Year 11 Chinese, students will learn more complex language through a range of topics such as school, home, holidays, travel, shopping, and celebrations, including birthdays and festivals. 

• Goals
  • Be able to communicate beyond the immediate context—for example, discussing past and future events. 
  • Be able to express information, ideas, and opinions across different text types and communicate appropriately in a variety of situations.
    

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Participate actively in class 
  • Complete Year 11 workbook and all the tasks assigned in Google Classroom

Economics and Business play a crucial role in tackling inequalities and navigating the challenges of our rapidly evolving society. The Year 11 Commerce course combines key concepts from both disciplines, offering students an understanding of how the world of money and markets operates. Through a hands-on approach, students work collaboratively to develop a product, which they then promote and sell at the Runathon Market Day, an exciting opportunity to apply their learning in a real-world setting. Alongside this, students examine economic decision-making, consumer behaviour, government policies, market dynamics, and the functioning of the economy, all within a uniquely New Zealand context.  

Students will complete the follow units: 

Business 101
Production 101
Interdependence 101
Supply 101
Market Equilibrium 101
Financial Literacy 101

Full-year course 

Year 11 Concept Art and Design offers a design-focused introduction to creative problem solving and visual communication. You will design a sustainability campaign for Wellington City Council, developing a full brand identity across a range of formats using both traditional and digital media.

• Goals
  • To develop creative ideas into a cohesive design campaign
  • To learn key design principles including layout, typography, branding, and illustration
  • To explore a mix of hand-drawn and digital techniques using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • To build a strong portfolio of work that communicates a clear message to a target audience
  • Prepare you with the skills and experience to find success in Year 12 Design

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to manage an independent project from concept to final outcome
  • Be willing to develop your ideas through ongoing feedback and revision
  • Be open to working both digitally and traditionally to refine your visual style

Full-year course 

Year 11 Dance is the perfect entry for both students wanting to try something practical and new, and for students who have had prior experience in Dance. We work closely with Wellington dance studios who provide professional tutors to train and teach choreography to our students. Year 11 Dance tailors its program to our students, whilst providing a strongly structured program, the students choose the styles of dance they are most interested in. In recent years, this has included new style hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance.

Design and Visual Communication, design consists of product design and spatial design.

Product design focuses on the development of tangible items that have a specific function within people’s everyday lives. It is about understanding the needs of the people and how they will interact with the product. Products use visualisation methods of 2D or 3D forms to show design ideas. Product design may use anthropometric and ergonomic data to inform the designs to meet the needs of the user.

Spatial design is about the designing of three-dimensional spaces in terms of how they are experienced, occupied, or used by people. These spaces can range from those defined by walls and physical elements to those more permeable and determined by ritual, activity, or occupancy. Spatial design incorporates concepts from architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design.

You live in a digital world. In 11DTE you will learn the fundamentals of how that digital world works. We will learn the language of computing and build your knowledge and understanding about the technology that underpins it.

The course covers learning to program, learning about electronics and hardware, and learning to develop video games.

This is your chance to make that shift from digital consumer to digital producer. Connect wires and sensors, and then write code to control them. Look at a problem, and write a program to solve it. Have a great idea for a game and develop the code and game assets to make it a reality.

Full-year course 

Year 11 Drama is an exciting and dynamic program that offers a meaningful extension to the work students have done at Year 9 and 10. Students will explore a wide range of Theatre Forms including Commedia Dell'arte, and Place Based Theatre and will begin to learn skills in Theatre Tech for the first time in our Drama program. Year 11 Drama involves collaborating closely with your peers and develops students ability to work efficiently and comfortably in group and performance settings.

Goals

• To develop understanding of a wide range of theatre forms
• To build key performance skills
• To demonstrate the ability to rehearse and devise in group contexts

To be successful in this course, you should:

• Be prepared to work collaboratively
• Demonstrate manaakitanga
• Be receptive to feedback

Full-year course 

Year 11 Painting and Printmaking offers a creative and hands-on exploration of portraiture and tūrangawaewae (a sense of place and belonging). You will develop your skills through a personalised visual arts project, working in both traditional and contemporary media.

• Goals
  • To strengthen drawing and painting skills using pencil, charcoal, ink, and oil paint
  • To explore printmaking techniques such as multicolour reduction woodblock and drypoint etching
  • To express ideas related to identity, culture, and place through visual language
  • To build a portfolio that shows creative thinking, technical skill, and personal voice
  • Prepare you with the skills and experience to find success in Year 12 Painting or Year 12 Printmaking

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to explore and develop your ideas through sustained practical work
  • Be open to learning from artists and trying new materials and techniques
  • Be willing to reflect on your work and make changes to improve your outcomes

Year 11 English offers a range of experiences as you explore how writers and directors creatively use the conventions of their chosen medium to make us consider a range of relevant ideas. This is in addition to creating our own stories. 

• Aims of this course:
  • To continue to develop literacy for lifelong learning and effective communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening, equipping you to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.
  • Develop your sense of identity and connection with the world, and your awareness of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage.  You will  learn how to deconstruct and interrogate a variety of texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape your own and others’ lives.
  • To develop skills that empower you to think critically and express yourself creatively.

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be willing to listen and engage openly in the ideas of others in a range of forums.
  • Be able to receive and provide feedback to their peers.
  • Show curiosity about how others see the world.
  • Demonstrate resilience and be able to persist when dealing with challenges.
  • Be able to work independently or collaboratively.
  • Be able to take responsibility for yourselves as learners including completing tasks and assignments independently.

In Year 11 English Language, students continue to develop their English skills through simple listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks. Students will also improve their vocabulary and spelling through weekly spelling tests.  This programme prepares students for further study in English Language at later stages. It also helps students gain confidence to engage more in their daily New Zealand life.  

• Goals
  • to learn new English vocabulary and spelling
  • to learn and practise simple grammar 
  • to improve communication skills and confidence

This course may be for you if English is not your first language. The course is designed to support students to develop skills in English through a much more scaffolded academic programme.

This course will help you to:

• Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
• Support your attainment of the literacy co-requisite qualification.
• Prepare you for the demands of NCEA Level 2 English.

Year 11 English through a Media Lens offers a range of experiences as you explore how writers and directors creatively use the conventions of their chosen medium to make us consider a range of relevant ideas. This is in addition to creating our own stories. While this course focuses heavily on media theory, the course does prepare you for Year 12 English. 

• Goals
  • To continue to develop literacy for lifelong learning and effective communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening, equipping you to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.
  • Develop your sense of identity and connection with the world, and your awareness of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage.  You will  learn how to deconstruct and interrogate a variety of texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape your own and others’ lives.
  • To develop skills that empower you to think critically and express yourself creatively.

English Writer's Programme (11ENW) is a course for students who love writing and want to do lots of it. The course will take you on a journey across time and media, sampling and practicing writing for many different purposes and audiences, from poetry and creative prose, to scriptwriting, to journalistic magazine or editorial writing, and everything in between. This course still offers the foundational skills and knowledge to support your journey into Year 12 English. 

• Goals
  • To continue to develop literacy for lifelong learning and effective communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening, equipping you to make appropriate language choices and apply them in a range of contexts.
  • Develop your sense of identity and connection with the world, and your awareness of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage.  You will  learn how to deconstruct and interrogate a variety of texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape your own and others’ lives.
  • To develop skills that empower you to think critically and express yourself creatively.

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Enjoy the process of writing
  • Be willing to listen and engage openly in the ideas of others in a range of forums.
  • Be able to receive and provide feedback to their peers.
  • Show curiosity about how others see the world.
  • Demonstrate resilience and be able to persist when dealing with challenges.
  • Be able to work independently or collaboratively according to the task.
  • Be able to take responsibility for themselves as learners including completing tasks and assignments independently.

In Year 11 French, we continue to build on the language skills learned in previous years. By the end of the year students should be able to hold short conversations to do with everyday life and to talk about past events and their future plans. Students will continue to learn about French culture both in France and other Francophone cultures especially in the Pacific. 

• Goals
  • To develop a deeper understanding of the language and to communicate effectively in the target language by building on what you learned in Year 10 French.
• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • be prepared to study French for a whole year. 
  • Have a laptop device to access resources and information on google classroom
  • Have a solid understanding of French from Year 9 & 10 and be able to interact with others in French.
  • Have a positive attitude and appreciate learning a foreign language and its culture.

There is an opportunity for students to take the DELF exam at A2 level - this is run by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise and is a qualification based on the Common European Framework for Languages. There is a separate cost for this exam. 

Geography is the study of places, what makes them special, what happens within them, the connections among them, and the processes that have made them. Geographers specialise in studying the interactions between social and natural processes, the landscapes and social forms produced by these relationships, and how and why the places they make differ across space and time. Geographers have a deep interest in how our world is changing and how societies might intervene to make better futures.

Goals

With climate change upon us, environmental crises, growing inequalities in New Zealand and around the world, along with the increasing threat of global conflict, the subject of Geography has never been more important.   Through purposeful study of Geography, the goal for students is to be well placed to make sense of the changes happening in our world.  In addition to that you will develop geographical understandings that can lead to a diverse range of well paid and in-demand Geography career options. 

During Y11 Geography you will:

1. develop spatial thinking skills and use maps, visual images, and new technologies to collect, present, and analyse geographic information
2. investigate contemporary geographic challenges such as predator management, sea level rise, drug trafficking, and deep-sea mining
3. understand how natural hazards such as earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis form, and how people can prepare for and respond to them
4. explore how rivers are formed and how they change over time through natural and human processes
5. examine the population distribution and settlement patterns of New Zealand, Australia, and the United States
6. apply a range of geographic skills and concepts, including map reading, data interpretation, fieldwork, and orienteering

Field Trips: Multiple visits to the Wellington's CBD and waterfront during class time will take place throughout the year.

In Year 11 German, we continue to build on the language skills learned in Year 10. Students learn to talk about their childhood using the past tense. They are taught how to use both the Perfect and Imperfect tense. Students also learn to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of media, technology and how and when they use social media. Students also watch a German film as part of our technology model and understand the historical content of post word war Germany. Students learn to describe what jobs they would like in the future and discuss their ambitions for the future as well as their role models. 

• Goals
  • To develop a deeper understanding of the language and to communicate effectively in the target language by building on what you learned in Year 10 German.

Year 11 Health is a powerful and engaging subject that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to navigate and positively influence their own wellbeing and that of others. Through a dynamic mix of individual and collaborative learning, students explore a range of relevant and real-world topics such as Hauora, the Five Ways to Wellbeing, anatomical functions, and the importance of injury prevention and rehabilitation in everyday life and sport. Students will also investigate the vital role of sleep in health and performance, engage in meaningful discussions around positive sexuality, and take part in health promotion projects that make a real difference in their school or community. A highlight of the course includes a focus on Men’s Mental Health, challenging stigma and promoting resilience and support seeking behaviours. Year 11 Health empowers students to think critically, care deeply, and take action—laying the foundation for a lifetime of wellbeing and leadership. 

Key learning opportunities include:

• Hauora
• Five ways to wellbeing,
• Anatomical functions, injury prevention and rehabilitation
• Sleep investigation
• Health promotion
• Promoting positive sexuality
• Men's Mental Health 
• Nutritional Habits

Note that a combination of Health and Physical Education subjects can be studied at Year 11. 

Year 11 History builds on students' knowledge from Year 9 and is designed to foster a love of history while preparing students for NCEA History in Year 12 and  beyond.

Students will cover a range of topics, most likely be drawn from the following: 

• Sinking of the Titanic
• Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbour
• Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Assassination of JFK
• Cold War
• US Civil War
• The French Revolution 
• Rise of the New York Mafia
• Mussolini's Italy

• Goals
  • To foster an interest in history and develop the skills needed to succeed in this subject in NCEA. This includes:
    • Understanding cause and effect
    • Judging the actions of people in the past
    • Critical source analysis
    • Historical writing

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • be prepared to engage in class discussion, take good notes, be ready for some reading and writing.

Full-year course by invitation only

11INT supports students to develop literacy and numeracy skills, which they can apply to their learning across the curriculum.

Note that entry to this course is not guaranteed. 

Year 11 Japanese is an upper-intermediate course designed to develop students’ language skills. Students will expand their vocabulary to talk about a range of aspects of daily life and learn various sentence structures to express themselves more clearly and confidently.

Vocabulary will focus on the following themes:

• Your Home, Your Town & Daily Routine
• Eating and Drinking
• School Life
• Shopping
• Sports, Leisure and Hobbies
• Travel and Holidays

In terms of Kanji, students will learn a total of 57 characters, including those introduced in Year 9 and Year 10.

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua.

This year you will study several new topics, and revise and extend the material you learnt in Years 9 and 10. Topics covered in the course: 

• Algebra and Graphs
• Measurement
• Geometry, Coordinate Geometry
• Statistics

You may be invited into a different Mathematics Course. The vast majority of Year 11 students will complete the Mathematics External course but, at the end of Year 10, emails will be sent to those that might benefit from being in our Mathematics Internal course. Mathematics Internal (11NUM). 

Full year course, by invitation only.

This course offers learning opportunity for Cambridge IGCSE mathematics, but students will not be entered into the IGCSE Cambridge Examination. It serves as a preparation course for sitting Cambridge A Level exams in subsequent years.

Cambridge Mathematics course is designed for you if you are one of our top Years 9 and Year 10 Mathematics students. It comprises a selection of New Zealand Curriculum and Cambridge International curriculum but has a focus on problem-solving and algebraic reasoning. This is a challenging course that is designed to extend and advance top mathematicians. 

The following topics are covered in this course: 

• Number
• Algebra and Graphs
• Coordinate Geometry
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Trigonometry
• Vectors
• Statistics & Probability

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics encourages the development of mathematical knowledge as a key life skill, and as a strong basis for more advanced study. The syllabus aims to build learners' confidence by helping them develop competence and fluency with mathematical concepts, methods and skills, as well as a feel for numbers, patterns and relationships. The syllabus also places a strong emphasis on solving problems and presenting and interpreting results. Learners also gain an understanding of how to communicate and reason using mathematical concepts. - Cambridge International Education 

Music at Year 11 aims to build on the foundation established in the Year 10 Music courses. Students will continue to develop their performance and composition skills with greater freedom of style and format. Activities will provide a basis for the ways of working in Year 12 and 13 Music courses.  

Further information about all our Music courses can be found here.

• Goals
  • To continue specialisation on an instrument
  • To develop performance skills
  • To develop creativity through musical composition
  • To further develop understanding of Music Theory and Musical Literacy

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to work independently and in a group
  • Practice your technical skills on an instrument
  • Be prepared to perform your music for others
  • Seek feedback regularly

11 Pathways is an individualised programme focused on supporting student engagement and achievement. Using workplace / personal development contexts students will prepare for Level 2 and beyond. Students will have the opportunity to engage in taster courses and other opportunities beyond school. 

Year 11 Photography/Sculpture offers a creative, hands-on introduction to both digital photography and three dimensional art making. You will explore how to express ideas visually through practical projects that involve experimentation, reflection, and the development of a personal voice.

• Goals
  • To develop skills in digital photography and sculpture using traditional and contemporary methods
  • To explore the theme of Nature vs Manmade through creative thinking and practical application
  • To build confidence in presenting and critiquing your own work
  • To create a strong 2D and 3D portfolio that communicates ideas effectively
  • Prepare you with the skills and experience to find success in Year 12 Photography or Year 12 Sculpture

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • Be prepared to work independently and manage your time
  • Be open to experimenting with materials, processes, and digital tools
  • Engage in group discussions and critiques to help improve your work

Year 11 Physical Education offers students a privileged opportunity to be part of a dynamic and progressive programme, supported by exceptional teaching and access to state-of-the-art facilities. This course challenges students to think critically, perform confidently, and explore the science and sociology behind sport and physical performance.

With four lessons per week, students experience a balanced mix of practical application and theoretical learning, allowing them to connect classroom concepts with real world movement contexts. The course provides explicit teaching around Hauora, the functions of the body, and the broader social and scientific factors that shape participation and performance in physical activity.

• Goals
  • Enhance physical performance through practical skill development and sport-specific strategies across a range of physical activities.
    
  • Develop theoretical knowledge in areas such as anatomical functions, Hauora, and exercise science to understand how the body moves and performs.
    
  • Think critically about sport and physical activity, exploring the social, cultural, and scientific factors that influence participation and performance.
    
  • Apply classroom learning to real-world contexts, making meaningful connections between theory and practical performance.
    
  • Build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills in both individual and group settings, supporting personal growth and lifelong engagement in physical activity.

Students may select a combination of Health and Physical Education subjects at Year 11.

Optional full-year course

This year 11 physics course covers the topics of electricity, heat, and waves as well as providing opportunities to complete a physics research paper, to develop investigation skills, and to get an introduction to vectors. This course is designed to complement the physics component of the year 11 science course, which covers the topic of mechanics. 

In Year 11 Gagana Sāmoa-Samoan Language we have a “blended program” which is accessed online through ‘Te Kura’.  Students will be able to gain NCEA Level 1 credits for their internal and external assessments. All learning material is presented in fun and interactive activities including quizzes, Power Point presentations, and video recordings. We will continue to build on the language skills learned in previous years, with the emphasis on communicating in Gagana  Sāmoa. By the end of the year students should be able to hold short conversations to do with everyday life,  and to talk about past events and their future plans. Students will continue to learn about Samoan cultural values, the Fa'asāmoa - Samoan way of life which includes, pese-song, siva-dance and aganu'u fa'asāmoa.  

• Goals

By the end of this course you will:

1. Have a good general knowledge of how to communicate about yourself, school,  family and friends
2. Communicate about how you celebrate special occasions
3. Describe about how you spend your free time and and your school environment
4. Discuss about  career plans and goals for the future

Compulsory Year-long course

This course offers students a chance to investigate, understand, and explain our natural, physical world and the wider universe. Important scientific ideas within the umbrellas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy are covered, with everyday contexts and environmental issues underpinning the skills that students learn.  

Entry to this course is by invitation from the Head of Department. You will be contacted if we think you are a suitable candidate for this course.

Year 11 Science - Internal offers students a chance to investigate, understand, and explain our natural, physical world and the wider universe. Science involves generating and testing ideas, gathering evidence – including by making observations, carrying out investigations and modelling, and communicating and debating with others – in order to develop scientific knowledge, understanding, and explanations. Important scientific ideas within the umbrellas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy are covered, with everyday contexts and environmental issues underpinning the skills that students learn.

• Goals
  • Chemistry: To understand the connections between elements, compounds, atoms and molecules. Write formulas and balance equations. Carry out investigations to do with acids and bases, rates of chemical reactions and precipitation reactions.
  • Physics: To understand concepts underlying motion, forces, energy, power and pressure, and carry out associated calculations. Carry out and report on, an extended investigation involving balloon cars.
  • Biology: To understand some of the ways that microbes are essential to aspects of human life and carry out associated practical investigations. Understand the basics of cell biology. Learn some basic principles of genetics and inheritance patterns.
  • Astronomy: To understand the Māori lunar and solar calendar, Te Tau Toru Nui o Matariki, or Maramataka. Understand the causes of seasons, phases of the moon, eclipses and tides.

• To be successful in this course, you should:
  • be prepared to be organized, complete classwork and assignments on time, and actively participate in class discussions and experiments. Homework will be set via Education Perfect and other platforms, it is expected that this will also be attempted to the best of your ability and in a timely manner.  You should develop strong note-taking skills, regularly review class materials, and ask questions when you don’t understand something. It's also important to practice applying scientific concepts to real-life situations and to study consistently rather than cramming before tests. Curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn from mistakes will help you build a solid understanding of science.

Year 11 Space & Rocket Science is an optional course taken alongside Year 11 Science. It is a more practical-based course designed to engage and extend students who are interested in Science. It is broken up into 4 topics:

• Rocketry (designing, building & launching rockets and using physics principles & calculations to explain their trajectories)
• Carbon Chemistry (An introduction to organic chemistry, fuels and combustion reactions. A direct link to Year 12 Chemistry)
• Astronomy (A look into the history of astronomy, the solar system and beyond and how we observe the universe)
• Electricity & Magnetism (A direct link to Year 12 Physics, this unit involves practically investigating the phenomena around electricity & magnetism)

Practical work and demonstrations are key aspects of the course, as is the skill of writing and balancing chemical equations. Students will also be required to carry out research and present their findings. Aspects of model building, design and programming will also be experienced during the course.

In Year 11 Spanish, we continue to build on the language skills learned in Year 10. Students learn to talk about their school life, school subjects and express opinions on school and daily routine. Students learn to describe their town and area in detail, learn how to give directions, research a Spanish speaking town/area, design a tourism brochure, as well as, talk about holiday plans using the simple future. Students will also discuss food, drinks and other aspects of  Spanish culture and learn how to say what they do to live a healthy lifestyle. Again the emphasis is on speaking as much Spanish as possible in class with their peers. 

• Goals
  • To develop a deeper understanding of the language and to communicate effectively in the target language by building on what you learned in Year 10 German.

The aim of the Year 11 Māori course is to develop lifelong linguistic skills in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. 

As you learn te reo Māori, you also deepen your knowledge and understanding of tikanga Māori and develop your own personal, group, and national identity.

 By the end of the year you will have developed some skill in:

• communicating information, ideas, and opinions through different text types
• expressing and responding to personal ideas and opinions
• communicating appropriately in different situations.

The course uses student experiences to develop a sound foundation of communication skills in te reo Māori. You will use te reo Māori to explore a range of familiar situations and work towards the following goals:

• To continue developing ability for conversational reo 
• To introduce language features that help advance learners range
• To experience te ao māori on the marae

Optional full-year course

Technology is intervention by design: the use of practical and intellectual resources to develop products and systems that expand human possibilities, by addressing needs and realising opportunities. Innovation is at the heart of technology practice. Quality outcomes result from creative thinking and practices that are informed, critical and creative.

This is a practical workshop based course. You will develop your practical skills and apply them to your own designed project. You will be expected to address a real problems by manufacturing a project outcome.  You will also produce a portfolio that documents the processes including research, designing, manufacture and evaluation.

Assessment

Level 2 Biology builds essential knowledge of genetics, cells, ecology, and adaptations, providing a strong foundation for further study in life sciences, health, or environmental fields.

Course Content:

Students will study five core Achievement Standards, with the option of a sixth

Level 2 Chemistry builds on previously taught concepts and provides a deeper understanding of chemical properties, processes, and patterns. It prepares students for Level 3 Chemistry and related sciences. The course includes a mix of theoretical and practical work and supports students in developing analytical, investigative, and critical thinking skills. 

This course follows the syllabus for the Cambridge International Examinations and has two elements (NCEA Level 2 topics are covered under these two elements): 

Pure Mathematics 1 

• 1.1 Quadratics 
• 1.2 Functions 
• 1.3 Coordinate geometry 
• 1.4 Circular measure 
• 1.5 Trigonometry 
• 1.6 Series 
• 1.7 Differentiation 
• 1.8 Integration 

Probability & Statistics 1 

• 5.1 Representation of data 
• 5.2 Permutations and combinations 
• 5.3 Probability 
• 5.4 Discrete random variables 
• 5.5 The normal distribution 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

Mathematics is the science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics).

This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level and really enjoy problem solving, algebra and investigating data and chance. The course covers a broad range of mathematical concepts but has a specific leaning towards Probability and Statistical Analysis with the aim of preparing students for the Level 3 Statistics course. (Note: all three L3 Mathematics courses are available to students who take Mathematics with Statistics in Year 12).

If you enjoyed the challenge of solving a wide range of problems in the Year 11 Mathematics course and particularly liked doing the Statistics investigation, and you look forward to continuing to improve your problem solving and reasoning skills, you should consider taking this course.

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Probability
• Statistical inference and analytical report writing
• Simulations and chance

Level 2 Physics is a rigorous course which covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, atomic and nuclear physics as well as practical investigation skills.  

This course may be for you if English is not your first language. The course is designed to support students to develop skills in English through a much more scaffolded academic programme.

This course will help you to:

• Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
• Support your attainment of the literacy co-requisite qualification.
• Prepare you for the demands of NCEA Level 2 English.

Note - this course will run for the last time in 2027. Due to staffing, students will study Level 2 Accounting via Te Kura (the Correspondence School) 

Year 12 Accounting lays a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing accounting or business studies in the future. This course is a prerequisite for Year 13 Accounting and introduces students to essential skills and knowledge that are highly valued in both tertiary education and the workplace. Students who take Year 12 Accounting will be well-prepared for further study in accounting, finance, marketing, and economics at universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions. 

Assessment

Level 2 Biology builds essential knowledge of genetics, cells, ecology, and adaptations, providing a strong foundation for further study in life sciences, health, or environmental fields.

Course Content:

Students will study five core Achievement Standards, with the option of a sixth

Level 2 Business Studies is a senior course that is hands on and involves a lot of group work. Students work in groups for internal assessments and create their own businesses, working together to complete market research, write a business plan and sell a product developed by the group. For externals, students learn about the real internal operations of a business and how businesses might approach solving critical problems.  

Level 2 Chemistry builds on previously taught concepts and provides a deeper understanding of chemical properties, processes, and patterns. It prepares students for Level 3 Chemistry and related sciences. The course includes a mix of theoretical and practical work and supports students in developing analytical, investigative, and critical thinking skills. 

Level 2 Chinese is a senior specialist language learning course.  Through topics such as exploring different cities, celebrating festivals, part-time jobs, and study exchanges, students will develop the ability to communicate information, ideas, and opinions through increasingly complex and varied Chinese texts. They will also learn to engage in sustained interactions and produce extended texts in Chinese. 

Level 2 Classical Studies is a senior social science course. Students will study the significant political, cultural and economic forces that shaped the societies of the Ancient Greek and Roman World.  It is an opportunity to explore the ways in which the modern world was created by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The class will read literature which has inspired people for over two thousand years, and explore political violence and philosophy, romantic love of all varieties, epics and archaeology; classics is wide-ranging and inclusive of a tremendous variety of perspectives and content.  

The course is based around sources both written and visual and requires time spent engaging with ideas and arguing through rival interpretations. The skills developed in evaluating arguments, presenting coherent cases, and separating objectively true facts from subjective interpretations are always valuable.

Odysseus blinds sleeping Polyphemus.
Black-figure vessel for wine.
Clay.
Ca. 500 BCE.
Paris, Louvre Museum.

Construction can lead to apprenticeships in a variety of trades such as: carpentry, brick and blocklaying, painting and decorating, flooring, joinery, frame and truss, aluminium joinery, and so on. 

If you are wanting to apply for an apprenticeship in any Construction type industry then this course is recommended for you.  This course is also for those students who would like to gain hands on practical skills.

The construction course is focused around the building of a sawhorse, cape cod chair and a lamp while following best practice for health and safety and using workplace tools/machinery with current manufacturing methods.  Students will be following a set of working drawings.

This course is aimed at students who are looking at trades pathways. We may interview students at the start of the academic year if the course is oversubscribed

Full year course

Year 12 Contemporary Music offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 12 Music, but the musical content and contexts will be based around contemporary styles of music and have less of a focus on traditional notated styles of music. This is a good choice for singer-songwriters, beatmakers and producers, and musicians interested in contemporary styles and modes of music. Students should self-motivated independent learners.

Further information can be found here.

Year 12 Dance is a dynamic program that allows students of varying dance experience and skillsets to be able to succeed. We work closely with Wellington dance studios who provide professional tutors to help choreograph and train our students in the dance genre of their choice. In recent years this has included new school hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance. This course is almost entirely practical, and can be a welcome addition to a students' timetable that may otherwise be full with theory based subjects.  

Full year course

Level 2 Design is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop ideas using illustration, photography, and digital design techniques in response to a client brief. Students will explore and apply design conventions as they create a cohesive body of work. This might include illustrations for books, poster series, brand identity and packaging, magazine or editorial layouts, album covers, advertising campaigns, or character and concept designs for games or animation. Learning will include research into established practice and the use of industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The external two-panel portfolio will show a cohesive body of work that explores design conventions and communicates creative solutions to real-world problems. 

Design and Visual Communication is about the interrelated strands of design thinking, visual communication, and design influences.

Design thinking encompasses the ideation, exploration, progression, and communication of design ideas into potential outcomes that serve a specific purpose, provide innovative possibilities, and can be informed by design influences and a designer’s perspective.

Within Design and Visual Communication, design consists of product design and spatial design.

Product design focuses on the development of tangible items that have a specific function within people’s everyday lives. It is about understanding the needs of the people and how they will interact with the product. Products use visualisation methods of 2D or 3D forms to show design ideas. Product design may use anthropometric and ergonomic data to inform the designs to meet the needs of the user.

Spatial design is about the designing of three-dimensional spaces in terms of how they are experienced, occupied, or used by people. These spaces can range from those defined by walls and physical elements to those more permeable and determined by ritual, activity, or occupancy. Spatial design incorporates concepts from architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design.

What we realise now is that a digital native knows how to consume digital material, but they usually don’t know how to produce it. This is your chance to make that shift from consumer to producer. Learn how to produce digital content within the context of video games. 

The other aspect of the course is digital project management. How are large digital projects organised and managed? How are they different from non-digital projects? Do you reflect on how you work, or would you like to?

The 12 Digital Technology - Game Design course is an introduction to the core concepts of game development. It builds on the concepts covered during Year 11 DTE,  introduces 2D/3D graphic design principles & game engine development environments. 

During this course students will learn a variety of game design skills and use them to create two unique game projects. These can be a mix of 2D & 3D and a variety of genres. From 2D Platformers to First Person Shooters. This course is a great option for those who enjoy programming, but also like visual & interactive design. 

In level 2 Digital Technology Science (DTS) students will consider how to solve problems using digital skills and technologies. 

In DTS you will:

• create a text based game in Python using complex data structures. 
• create a dynamic website using Python, Flask, and an SQLite database. 
• identify a problem or opportunity within the given brief to solve using electronics. You will be taught how to use a range of electronic componentry to enable you to design and produce a solution to your identified problem. 

Full year course

Year 12 Drama offers students a wide range of performance contexts and forms to explore. For the first time, students will discover the impacts of war, politics and social unrest on the world of Drama and vice versa. Whilst still largely being a practical, group based course, Year 12 Drama grounds itself in thought-provoking and engaging material to extend the students idea of what Drama is and can look like. The students will develop their skills in performing, directing, devising and theatre form through a range of Internal and External NCEA assessments.

12 Economics explores key aspects of the New Zealand economy, focusing on employment, inflation, economic growth, and the role of government. Students will learn how economic growth improves living standards, how it is measured, and the effects of policies that promote growth. The course also covers the importance of trade, including its causes, measurement, impacts, and related policies. Inflation is examined in terms of its causes and effects on society and the economy. Finally, the course looks at employment, including how it is measured, its causes, and the impacts of policies designed to increase employment. 

Level 2 English is a rich, multi-genre Senior English Course that develops students’ ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and craft sophisticated written, visual, and oral texts. The programme balances creative and analytical tasks across poetry, film, extended written texts, and unfamiliar texts. Students will write in a range of styles, analyse language features, and engage with texts that explore diverse themes and voices.

The course prepares students for both internal assessments and external exams, including close reading, creative writing, an oral presentation, and essay writing. Emphasis is placed on building confidence, originality, and independence in thinking and expression.

In Year 12 English Language, students continue to develop their English skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks. Students will also improve their vocabulary and spelling through weekly spelling tests.  This programme prepares students for further study in English Language at later stages. It also helps students gain confidence to engage more in their other subjects.  

This course may be for you if English is not your first language, and you are interested in achieving University Entrance Literacy and/or going on to tertiary study.   

NCEA Level 2 English aims to develop skills in English through the use of a variety of achievement standards.  This course will help you to:

• Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
• Prepare you for the demands of academic writing at university.

Note: this is a dual coded course meaning that we can accommodate both Year 12 and Year 13 students with both Level 2 and Level 3 achievement standards and unit standards. 

English through a Philosophy Lens is designed as an introduction into philosophical ideas. You will be introduced to ideas such as Existentialism, Nihilism, and Theology, providing a rich foundation in which to critically engage with a range of literature. This is in addition to demonstrating your understanding through the creation of a range of text forms.

The Year 12 Writer's Programme (12ENW) is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of writing as art, process, and product.  We will read and analyse texts across a range of voices and forms. You will work on a portfolio of writing throughout the year, alongside a range of assessment tasks that put your skills into practice. If you love to write, love the idea of writing, or want to develop your understanding of text further, this is the course for you.  

Year 12 French builds on the foundation of language from Year 9-11 and prepares students to take NCEA Level 2. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into French language, literature and culture. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and France, Media and technology, French in the pacific, Art and Music, and an aspect of French History.  There are opportunities for exchanges to French speaking countries.

There is an opportunity for students to take the DELF exam at B1 level - this is run by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise and is a qualification based on the Common European Framework for Languages. There is a separate cost for this exam.  

This is a fully internally assessed science course for those students who are interested in science but would struggle with external assessments. Students will be developing and carrying out their own experiments in which they gather and process data to develop their understanding of the world around them. Contexts studied in this course include; Wellington’s marine environment, identifying unknown ions from the environment and their effect on humans and the environment, planning and carrying out a physics investigation, microscopy, and surviving in space.

To be successful in this course students need to actively engage in class and field trips, complete assessments of time, have good self management skills and a willingness to learn.

Geography is the study of places, what makes them special, what happens within them, the connections among them, and the processes that have made them. Geographers specialise in studying the interactions between social and natural processes, the landscapes and social forms produced by these relationships, and how and why the places they make differ across space and time. Geographers have a deep interest in how our world is changing and how societies might intervene to make better futures.

With climate change upon us, environmental crises, growing inequalities in New Zealand and around the world, along with the increasing threat of global conflict, the subject of Geography has never been more important. Through purposeful study of Geography, the goal for students is to be well placed to make sense of the changes happening in our world. In addition to that you will develop geographical understandings that can lead to a diverse range of well paid and in-demand Geography career options. 

During Y12 Geography you will learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information.  

Course Content:

1. Geographic research on a geographic issue affecting central Wellington (CBD Field Trip)
2. A geographic issue affecting central Wellington,
3. Urban patterns: the urban growth patterns of Wellington,
4. Geographic skills & concepts (including orienteering),
5. Global study: global patterns of terrorism,
6. Current events,
7. Geography jobs and careers.

A full day field trip to Wellington's CBD may take place in Term 1.  The costs will be minimal.  Students may also do orienteering on the waterfront and on Matairangi Mt Victoria. 

Year 12 German builds on the foundation of learning a language from Year 9-11 and prepares students to take NCEA Level 2. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into German language, literature and culture. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and Germany, Social issues including Homelessness and Unemployment and Media and Technology. Students at the end of Year 12 have the opportunity to go on an exchange for 6 weeks to Germany, attend school and stay with a host family as part of the NZ/Germany Exchange program.  

Level 2 Health Education is the ideal subject for students who are curious about people, passionate about wellbeing, and eager to understand the issues that shape our lives and communities. This course challenges students to explore real world topics such as mental health, body image, sexuality education, drug use, and the promotion of positive health practices through a Hauora lens. By engaging in thoughtful research, structured report writing, and class discussions, students develop key skills in critical thinking, communication, empathy, and ethical reasoning. Level 2 Health Education encourages students to look beyond the classroom to reflect on their own wellbeing, understand diverse perspectives, and learn how to make a positive impact in the world around them. If you want a subject that’s both relevant and rewarding, Health is the perfect choice.  

Level 2 History is a senior history course. Students will study a range of topics, most likely drawn from the following

• The War on Terror
• The Israel-Palestine Conflict
• The Crusades
• Chernobyl Disaster
• The Holocaust

This course gives students an applied understanding of how the human body works, with a focus on real-life biological and health-related contexts. Students study systems such as digestion and circulation, complete practical laboratory investigations, and gain a recognised first aid qualification. The course includes a combination of achievement and unit standards, offering a balance of theory and hands-on learning. It is ideal for students interested in sport, or human biology pathways. This course is not intended for students wishing to study Health Sciences. 

Integrated Studies supports students in gaining the literacy and numeracy skills needed to achieve success across the curriculum. 12INT offers additional support around classwork and NCEA internals.

This is not an NCEA or UE course and there are no credits on offer. 

Note that entry to this course is not guaranteed. 

Level 2 Japanese is an advanced course designed to develop students’ language skills. Students will be able to talk about themselves and others, as well as justify their ideas and opinions.

The vocabulary will focus on the following themes:

• School Life
• Relationships and Emotions
• Daily Life and Community

In terms of Kanji, while some new characters will be introduced, the main focus at Year 12 is to consolidate the Kanji learned in Year 11, with an emphasis on reading and understanding their meanings.

This course follows the syllabus for the Cambridge International Examinations and has two elements (NCEA Level 2 topics are covered under these two elements): 

Pure Mathematics 1 

• 1.1 Quadratics 
• 1.2 Functions 
• 1.3 Coordinate geometry 
• 1.4 Circular measure 
• 1.5 Trigonometry 
• 1.6 Series 
• 1.7 Differentiation 
• 1.8 Integration 

Probability & Statistics 1 

• 5.1 Representation of data 
• 5.2 Permutations and combinations 
• 5.3 Probability 
• 5.4 Discrete random variables 
• 5.5 The normal distribution 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

The emphasis of this course is on laying a strong statistical foundation, building on basic algebraic skills and problem solving strategies. Please note that this course is comprised of challenging NCEA Level 2 achievement standards. The course is built using predominantly internally assessed standards to enable the opportunity for resubmissions and flexible assessment conditions, but it is a considerably higher level of mathematics than you experienced in Year 11. Students electing to take this course need to have determination and drive and must work hard to understand the many new skills and concepts in order to achieve the credits on offer. It is not an 'easy' maths option (in order to be awarded Level 2 credits, students need to demonstrate that they are working at Level 7 of the New Zealand Curriculum).

In this course you will study various Mathematics topics: 

• Sequences and Series
• Trigonometry
• Networks
• Probability
• Systems of equations
• Statistical inference

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

This course is designed to support students who are considering leaving school at the end of Year 12 or prior to the end of Year 13. A number of vocational pathways and related tertiary providers indicate that Level 2 Mathematics credits are useful for entry to their courses. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the Level 2 Mathematics credits that will serve to make them desirable candidates for pathways into vocational studies, apprenticeships and the workforce while also covering some real world financial learning.

Students taking this course would not typically be advised to take a L3 Mathematics course in Year 13.

In this course you will study various topics: 

• Trigonometry - helpful for construction and design
• Sequences and Series - useful for interest and debt calculations
• Statistical Inference - being able to critically analyse differences that exist and the significance of these differences
• Coordinate Geometry - work with lines, scale drawings, midpoints, gradients to understand geometry and design
• Income Tax - understand how it is calculated and what it is used for
• Household budgets - be able to manage your money and plan for expenses

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

Mathematics is the science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics).

This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level and have a real love of, and flair for, Algebra and problem solving. The course covers a broad range of mathematical concepts but has a specific leaning towards Algebra and Calculus with the aim of preparing students for the Level 3 Calculus course. (Note: all three L3 Mathematics courses are available to students who take Mathematics with Calculus in Year 12).

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Algebra and Graphs
• Trigonometry
• Probability
• Calculus
• Coordinate Geometry
• Systems of Equations

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

Mathematics is the science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics).

This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level and really enjoy problem solving, algebra and investigating data and chance. The course covers a broad range of mathematical concepts but has a specific leaning towards Probability and Statistical Analysis with the aim of preparing students for the Level 3 Statistics course. (Note: all three L3 Mathematics courses are available to students who take Mathematics with Statistics in Year 12).

If you enjoyed the challenge of solving a wide range of problems in the Year 11 Mathematics course and particularly liked doing the Statistics investigation, and you look forward to continuing to improve your problem solving and reasoning skills, you should consider taking this course.

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Probability
• Statistical inference and analytical report writing
• Simulations and chance

This course is designed for students who have an interest in media and film. It includes both the study of film (analysis of film narrative, representation, and genre) and practical experience in producing short films. Therefore, you need to have enthusiasm for studying how the media works and for creating your own media. You will also be expected to work independently and (possibly for film production) within a team.

Through the learning in this course - exploring how and why media texts are developed, produced, and distributed - you will gain an appreciation of the impact of media on shaping society. Through developing this understanding you will be able to be more discerning towards the way media texts impact your view of the world and gain a critical understanding of how the views of others are shaped.

The course in 2026 included the following topics: exploring how narratives work in short horror films, writing and creating a short horror film, and analysing the film genre of alien invasion. 2027 will have similar topics.

Students can study both English and Media Studies. 

Full year course

Year 12 Music offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 12 Contemporary Music, but the musical content and contexts will be more traditional and notation based than that of the Contemporary Music course. This is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers who are comfortable with traditional styles of music, and are self-motivated independent learners. 

Further information can be found here.

Level 2 Painting is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will generate and develop ideas using drawing and painting conventions specific to oil paint in an independent visual arts inquiry. Learning will reflect established practice research and applied knowledge of oil painting methods and ideas. The external two panel portfolio should demonstrate a body of work that shows painting fluency and extends their visual arts inquiry. 

This course will focus on:

• Pathway and careers planning
• Building workplace literacy by considering workplace arrangements in general, along with specific behaviours that can impact on the workplace
• Developing individual skills and knowledge to support life beyond school

Students have the opportunity to participate in an extended Gateway work experience placement. In many cases this provides the opportunity for industry based standards to be completed and assessed. 

12 Pathways (Individual) supports students to pursue specialist areas not covered by the formal school curriculum. Currently these include: 

• Wellington Trades Academy 
• Aviation
• Motor Industry Training Organisation micro credential
• Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation micro credential

If you are interested in this course, select it and enter your goal. 

You can also make an appointment to discuss their ideas with Mr Davidson.

Level 2 Performance Physical Education is the ideal subject for students who are passionate about sport, fitness, and developing their full potential both on and off the field. This course focuses on improving sport performance through practical training, an introduction to gym-based techniques, and a deeper understanding of how the body moves and functions during exercise. Students will learn the fundamentals of exercise physiology and training principles, while also beginning their journey into sport coaching, developing leadership, communication, and instructional skills. Through hands-on learning students will be exposed to improving athletic ability, begin a pathway in sport and coaching, or simply enjoy challenging yourself physically and mentally, this course offers the perfect blend of performance, leadership, and personal growth. If you want to train with purpose, learn how to coach others, and unlock your potential, Level 2 Performance Physical Education is for you.  

Level 2 Photography focuses on developing a personal body of work through digital photography and visual storytelling. You will learn how to use DSLR cameras, studio lighting, and post-production tools in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Guided by a theme, you will research established photographic practice to inform your own work. Emphasis is placed on developing ideas through planning, shooting, and editing, with a focus on composition, lighting, and technical control. The course culminates in a two panel external portfolio that demonstrates creative and consistent photographic development. 

Level 2 Physical Education is a powerful and engaging subject that blends physical performance with academic exploration, providing students with essential skills for both personal development and future pathways. It introduces students to key concepts in sport science, movement analysis, and training principles, while encouraging critical thinking and reflective practice. A highlight of the course is the opportunity to train for and compete in the Tough Guy/Girl Challenge, a nationally recognised mud run that supports two key achievement standards. Throughout the course, students also examine how the body functions during exercise and explore how social and cultural factors influence participation in physical activity. Level 2 Physical Education fosters communication, leadership, and self-management qualities that are invaluable in sport, education, health sciences, and life in general.  

Level 2 Physics is a rigorous course which covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, atomic and nuclear physics as well as practical investigation skills.  

In Year 12 Gagana Sāmoa-Samoan Language we have a “blended program” which is completely  accessed online through ‘Te Kura’.  Students will be able to gain NCEA Level 2 credits for their internal and external assessments. All learning material is presented in fun and interactive activities including quizzes, PowerPoint presentations, and video recordings. 

In class, we  will continue to build on the language skills learned in previous years, with the emphasis on communicating in Gagana  Sāmoa. By the end of the year students should be able to hold short conversations to do with everyday life,  and to talk about past events and their future plans. Students will continue to learn about Samoan cultural values, the Fa'asāmoa - Samoan way of life  and Aganu'u fa'asāmoa.   

Year 12 Spanish builds on the foundation of learning a language from Year 9-11 and prepares students to take NCEA Level 2. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into Spanish language, literature and culture. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and New Zealand, Social issues including Homelessness and Unemployment and Media and Technology. Students at the end of Year 12 have the opportunity to go on self-funded trip to Spain during term 3 school holidays.   

SLS supports students to achieve success across the curriculum by offering small group tuition on literacy skills, along with organisation and goal setting. 

This is structured and supported time to catch up on classwork and homework, or to clarify work you do not understand.

This is not an NCEA or UE course and there are no credits on offer. 

All Year 12 students must study either Te Reo Māori or English. You can study both. 

As students learn te reo Māori, they also deepen their knowledge and understanding of tikanga Māori and develop their own personal, group, and national identity. In Level 2 Te Reo Māori we are working at Level 7 of the New Zealand Curriculum. The main objective this year is to develop personal independence in the language. Students will be working towards “using language variably and effectively to express and justify your own ideas and opinions, and support or challenge those of others.”

By the end of the year students will have developed some skill in:

• communicating information, ideas and opinions through increasingly complex and varied texts
• exploring the views of others, developing and sharing personal perspectives
• engaging in sustained interaction and producing extended text

This course provides the opportunity for you to work with clients and associated stakeholders making outcomes out of timber and other materials in the workshop.

It will give you an opportunity to further develop your manipulation of materials, technical knowledge and communication skills. It will also help you gain confidence to learn independently.

The Year 12 course will provide an excellent foundation if you are looking to continue at Year 13 and then onto pursue a career in a technological, trades, or engineering field of study.

Project 1 - Tensegrity Table

This unit will build upon the skills of year 11 and continue into more complex programming problems and structures e.g. dictionaries. 

At the end of this you will create a significantly complex project in response to a brief given by the teacher.

Year 13 Biology is an engaging and challenging course that explores the diversity of life and the processes that shape living organisms. Students investigate how plants and animals respond to their environment, how organisms maintain stable internal conditions, the mechanisms of evolution and speciation, and the biological and cultural evolution of humans. The course also examines contemporary socio-scientific issues and the implications of modern genetic technologies.

Students will develop practical investigation skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate biological ideas using evidence. The course combines internal and external assessments and provides excellent preparation for further study in biological, health, environmental, agricultural, and medical sciences.

Topics include:

• Responses of plants and animals to their environment
• Homeostasis - How Humans maintain stable internal conditions such as temperature and Blood glucose levels
• Evolutionary processes and speciation
• Trends in human evolution
• Investigation of current socio-scientific issues

Level 3 Chemistry is a senior specialist Science course. Students follow up on their learning in Year 12 Chemistry, covering concepts of Redox, Physical Chemistry, Equilibrium principles in Aqueous Systems, and a choice of Organic Chemistry or Spectroscopy. All students carry out an extended practical investigation during Term 2. 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

This course follows the syllabus for the Cambridge International Examinations and has two elements: Pure Mathematics 3 and Probability and Statistics 2. The content for Level 3 Calculus is covered by Pure Mathematics 3, with additional teaching for skills that are not emphasised in the Cambridge curriculum.  All students sit both Level 3 Calculus and Cambridge exams.   Many students in 13MCA also sit Scholarship Calculus or Scholarship Statistics.

Pure Mathematics 3 

• 3.1 Algebra 
• 3.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions 
• 3.3 Trigonometry 
• 3.4 Differentiation 
• 3.5 Integration 
• 3.6 Numerical solution of equations 
• 3.7 Vectors 
• 3.8 Differential equations 
• 3.9 Complex numbers 

Probability & Statistics 2 

• 6.1 The Poisson distribution 
• 6.2 Linear combinations of random variables 
• 6.3 Continuous random variables 
• 6.4 Sampling and estimation 
• 6.5 Hypothesis tests 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

The course is designed is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level or studying in applied Science Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Architecture or Technology at university. It is also useful if you are interested in careers in Commerce or any field where analysis is important. \

Mathematicians and scientists and engineers use concepts of Calculus in all sorts of contexts and use jargon and notations that, without learning about Calculus, would be completely inscrutable to you.

In this course, you will

• explore the complex number world
• investigate the instantaneous change (called the "derivative") of various functions. (The process of doing so is called "differentiation".)
• use derivatives to solve various kinds of problems.
• go back from the derivative of a function to the function itself. (This process is called "integration".)
• Explore detailed methods for integrating functions of certain kinds.
• 
  

Mathematics at Year 13 divides into three courses of which you may choose up to two of:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Mathematics (General)

We live in a world in which we are flooded with information. It is crucial to be able to analyse and consider the validity of claims before we accept them as truth. Statistics is the study of the collection, organisation, analysis and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments. Virtually every job requires people with statistical knowledge. 

Studying Statistics will develop your critical thinking and analytic skills, enable you to construct, write and critique formal reports. Statistics forms part of many tertiary courses of study. You do not need to have taken Statistics at school to study it later, but many Year 13 students do find it useful preparation for their first year course of study.

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Investigate bivariate data
• Make a statistical inference
• Evaluate statistical reports
• Probability concepts
• Probability distributions
• Linear programming

Mathematics at Year 13 divides into three courses of which you may choose up to two of:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Mathematics (General)

Level 3 Painting is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students research established practice and use it to extend their ideas, investigating and using concepts and techniques in the context of drawing studies and oil painting. The external three panel portfolio should demonstrate an understanding of painting conventions and ideas.  

Level 3 Physics is a rigorous course which builds on the knowledge and skills gained in Level 2 Physics. It covers mechanical systems, electrical systems, wave systems, atomic and nuclear physics as well as practical investigation skills.  

MATH198 is a course in calculus and linear algebra. This STAR course is designed for bright secondary school students who have excelled in level 3 NCEA Mathematics (or equivalent) and wish to take level 100 mathematics while still at school.  

Select this option if you'd like to do something different at Year 13. This might include studying 6 subjects, or some sort of other bespoke arrangement. 

We will arrange a time to meet with you to discuss your request. 

Students can complete  first-year degree-level university papers in a range of possible subjects.  STAR courses give high school students the chance to experience what it's like studying at university, get a head start on their tertiary studies, and meet with other like-minded students from other schools.

Students will have already demonstrated advanced learning in the relevant subject area, as well as strong personal organisational skills. 

These include, but are not limited to Cybersecurity, Computer Program Design, Criminal Justice, Microeconomics, and Treaty of Waitangi relations.  

Note that there are limited funded spots and entry is not guaranteed.  

NOTE - students who wish to study Math198 at Canterbury University should apply specifically for that course through the Maths department 

This course may be for you if English is not your first language, and you are interested in achieving University Entrance Literacy and/or going on to tertiary study.   

NCEA Level 2 English aims to develop skills in English through the use of a variety of achievement standards.  This course will help you to:

• Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
• Prepare you for the demands of academic writing at university.

Note: this is a dual coded course meaning that we can accommodate both Year 12 and Year 13 students with both Level 2 and Level 3 achievement standards and unit standards. 

Note - due to staffing, this course will be offered through an an online course via Te Kura (the Correspondence school). 

Year 13 Accounting builds on prior knowledge and focuses on the processing and reporting of financial information for partnerships and companies. The course aligns with International Accounting Standards and follows the guidelines of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

You will learn how to establish partnerships and companies, maintain accurate accounting records, and prepare comprehensive financial reports. The internal assessment includes an in-depth analysis of a New Zealand company’s annual report — an invaluable skill for anyone interested in understanding how businesses operate and perform.

This course is highly recommended if you plan to pursue further study in business, commerce, or related fields at a tertiary level. It provides a solid foundation for degrees, diplomas, or certificates in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Level 3 Design is an advanced senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will clarify ideas using illustration, photography, and digital design techniques in response to a personal brief. Students will explore and apply design conventions as they create a cohesive body of work. This might include illustrations for books, poster series, brand identity and packaging, magazine or editorial layouts, album covers, advertising campaigns, or character and concept designs for games or animation. Learning will include research into established practice and the use of industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The external three-panel portfolio will show a cohesive body of work that explores design conventions and communicates creative solutions to real-world problems.  

Year 13 Biology is an engaging and challenging course that explores the diversity of life and the processes that shape living organisms. Students investigate how plants and animals respond to their environment, how organisms maintain stable internal conditions, the mechanisms of evolution and speciation, and the biological and cultural evolution of humans. The course also examines contemporary socio-scientific issues and the implications of modern genetic technologies.

Students will develop practical investigation skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate biological ideas using evidence. The course combines internal and external assessments and provides excellent preparation for further study in biological, health, environmental, agricultural, and medical sciences.

Topics include:

• Responses of plants and animals to their environment
• Homeostasis - How Humans maintain stable internal conditions such as temperature and Blood glucose levels
• Evolutionary processes and speciation
• Trends in human evolution
• Investigation of current socio-scientific issues

Level 3 Business is a senior course. Students work alongside the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) to develop and market an innovative and sustainable business idea. Business students have the opportunity to come up with a viable business proposition by setting up a YES company, creating a real product or service, compiling and implementing a business plan, making real profit or loss and evaluating actual versus planned outcomes. While students will still engage in research and written work, the course demands high participation rates and a commitment to actively being involved in the business operations. 

Level 3 Chemistry is a senior specialist Science course. Students follow up on their learning in Year 12 Chemistry, covering concepts of Redox, Physical Chemistry, Equilibrium principles in Aqueous Systems, and a choice of Organic Chemistry or Spectroscopy. All students carry out an extended practical investigation during Term 2. 

Level 3 Chinese is a senior specialist language  course. Through topics such as Chinese and New Zealand cultures, modern technology, the benefits of learning languages, and community and environment, students will learn to explore different perspectives, develop and share personal viewpoints, and support or challenge the opinions of others. They will also analyze how the target language is structured in various texts for different purposes and examine how it conveys cultural meanings. 

Level 3 Classical Studies is a senior social science course. Students will study the historical importance of classical civilisations.  The course will focus on the key concepts of conflict, empire, power, culture, identity, art, aesthetics and heritage. These will be covered in the context of:

• The ideas and values of Virgil's Aeneid (selected books)
• the Emperor Augustus as an historical figure and ideologies.
• The lasting influences of Roman art and architecture.

The course is based around sources both written and visual and requires time spent engaging with ideas and arguing through rival interpretations. The skills developed in evaluating arguments, presenting coherent cases, and separating objectively true facts from subjective interpretations are always valuable.

Augustus of Prima Porta

1st century AD

Copy of a lost bronze original

Level 3 Coding for Engineering is designed for students that intend on doing a university course (such as Engineering) that will require programming/coding. 13COD will give you a foundation of understanding with coding in Python to help you with your studies. 

This is a half-year course.

NOTE - this course can ONLY be selected as a sixth subject in place of study. 

This course provides a pathway if you are wanting to pursue a career in the Building and Construction industry.  This course will enable you to develop your practical skills in manufacturing larger, more complex projects. 

You will complete workshop and theory based learning, gaining credits focused on the hand and power tools plus materials used in Construction.  The course does not provide the full L3 BCITO certificate, but you will be well prepared to engage in further training with BCITO.  

We may interview students at the start of 2026 if the course is oversubscribed 

Year 13 Contemporary Music builds on the Year 12 course and offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. Students are encouraged to plan a musical outcome that goes beyond the assessment activities. For example, release an EP of original music, or plan a series of live music events.  There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 13 Music, but the musical content and contexts will be based around contemporary styles of music and have less of a focus on traditional notated styles of music. This is a good choice for singer-songwriters, beatmakers and producers, and musicians interested in contemporary styles and modes of music. Students should be self-motivated independent learners,

See here for more information about all music courses.

Year 13 Dance is a dynamic program that allows students of varying dance experience and skill sets to be able to succeed. We work closely with Wellington dance studios who provide professional tutors to help choreograph and train our students in the dance genre of their choice. In recent years this has included new school hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance. This course is almost entirely practical, and can be a welcome addition to a students' timetable that may otherwise be full with theory based subjects.  

Design and Visual Communication is about the interrelated strands of design thinking, visual communication, and design influences.

Design thinking encompasses the ideation, exploration, progression, and communication of design ideas into potential outcomes that serve a specific purpose, provide innovative possibilities, and can be informed by design influences and a designer’s perspective.

Within Design and Visual Communication, design consists of product design and spatial design.

Product design focuses on the development of tangible items that have a specific function within people’s everyday lives. It is about understanding the needs of the people and how they will interact with the product. Products use visualisation methods of 2D or 3D forms to show design ideas. Product design may use anthropometric and ergonomic data to inform the designs to meet the needs of the user.

Spatial design is about the designing of three-dimensional spaces in terms of how they are experienced, occupied, or used by people. These spaces can range from those defined by walls and physical elements to those more permeable and determined by ritual, activity, or occupancy. Spatial design incorporates concepts from architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design.

If you are interested in video games, and have programming and media creation skills, then Digital Technology - Game Development (DTG) is an ideal fit.  You will learn about programming using GD script (a Python-like programming language).

You will also learn about creating video game assets using 3D modelling, 2D graphics, as well as animating these assets.  You will also learn how to manage large projects with the User Experience framework.

13DTG offers many pathways. After school you could pursue: a media creation/design path; a programming path or a project management pathway.

In level 3 Digital Technology Science (DTS) students will consider how to solve problems using digital skills and technologies. 

In DTS you will: 

• create a complex dynamic website using Python, Flask, and a relational SQLite database. 
• Additionally, you will identify a problem and design a solution that incorporates electronics. You will have the opportunity to persue a project of your own design and choosing, incorporating componentry you feel is best suited for your project. 

Level 3 Drama provides students with the relevant skills to prepare them for tertiary and professional performance opportunities after they leave school. Students will continue to explore world contexts and theatre forms to broaden their idea of what Drama is and how it shapes the world around us. Students will extend their skills in devising and performing, and will have more opportunities to work in solo contexts than what they have in previous Drama and Dance courses. Students should prepare to work in a fun, collaborative and fast-paced environment. 

13 Economics focuses on how resources are allocated through New Zealand’s market system. It covers the economic problem of scarcity, what influences demand and supply, and how responsive they are to price changes (elasticity). You’ll explore different market structures like monopolies and perfect competition, how firms make decisions using marginal analysis, and what causes markets to succeed or fail, such as lack of competition or external costs. 

Our Literature Through The Ages English course (13ENL) is for students who wish to understand the evolution of literature over time, and enjoy exploring the past in order to better understand the present.  An exciting journey through the literature of the past to the present; you will examine a range of texts - both written and visual - which showcase the exhilarating movement of language through time, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.  

Our Year 13 Internal Course (13ENI) is for students who enjoy literature, and are interested in developing awareness of how texts shape their understanding of the world. This is a critical reading and writing course that engages students using contemporary texts. This is an internal assessment course with one optional external to support attainment of course endorsement. 

Year 13 Keeping It Real (13ENK) is for students who prefer reading and discussing non-fiction texts as they explore real-world issues. Is non-fiction an objective, neutral depiction of facts? Or is it just as likely as fiction to be swayed by concealed biases? This course will consider a range of non-fiction writing from a selection of historical, sporting, opinion and journalistic sources. Students will produce their own essays, opinion pieces and speeches in response.  

In Year 13 English Language, students continue to develop their English skills extended through listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks. Students will also improve their vocabulary and spelling through weekly spelling tests.  This programme prepares students for further study in English Language at later stages. It also helps students gain confidence to engage more in their other subjects.  

This course may be for you if English is not your first language, and you are interested in achieving University Entrance Literacy and/or going on to tertiary study.   

NCEA Level 2  English aims to develop skills in English through the use of a variety of achievement and unit standards. This course will help you to:

• Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
• Prepare you for the demands of academic writing at university.

Note: this is a dual coded course meaning that we can accommodate both Year 12 and Year 13 students with both Level 2 and Level 3 achievement standards and unit standards depending of the goals of the learner.

This course is designed to support aspirational and high-achieving students who are ready to extend their thinking, writing, and analytical skills beyond the standard Level 3 curriculum. Students in this course will complete a carefully selected combination of NCEA Level 3 English standards that support high-level engagement with language, literature, and ideas.

This is an open-entry course.

This course is for students who are interested in finding out what Science Fiction and Sociology teach us about society, human nature, and ourselves. Why do similar patterns of behaviour seem to emerge across time? What patterns of behaviour might we see emerge as technologies change? This course will examine a range of fiction and non-fiction texts to allow students to produce essays, speeches and creative writing in response to these questions. 

Year 13 English through a Philosophy Lens (13ENP) is for students who want to explore philosophical ideas through a range of texts.  This is a critical reading and writing course that caters for students who are wanting to develop skills for university, and for those interested in developing philosophical arguments, and exploring philosophical questions.   

Year 13 English Unbound (13ENU) is for students who want to develop independence and critical self-evaluation skills, and want the freedom to make their own choices. In this course you will choose your own ideas and the texts to explore them. You will plan your own workflow and initiate teacher check-ins to have your understanding evaluated before internal assessments. The four weekly lessons will be structured as a lecture, a tutorial, and two independent study periods (with teacher oversight). This class allows you to opt into taking the Victoria University Communications Course "The Art of Writing" in the first trimester (March-June), enrolling as a secondary student but getting points towards a university degree.  

Year 13 French builds on the foundation of language from Year 9-12 and prepares students to take NCEA Level 3. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into French language, literature and culture. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and France, Media and technology, French in the pacific, Art and Music, and an aspect of French History.  There are opportunities for exchanges to French speaking countries. 

There is an opportunity for students to take the DELF exam at B2 level - this is run by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise and is a qualification based on the Common European Framework for Languages. There is a separate cost for this exam. 

This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to science, combining biology, chemistry, and Earth & space science. Students will explore real-world scientific issues and develop skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, and practical investigation. This course is ideal for students interested in environmental studies, or applied sciences, and supports University Entrance.

Geography is the study of places, what makes them special, what happens within them, the connections among them, and the processes that have made them. Geographers specialise in studying the interactions between social and natural processes, the landscapes and social forms produced by these relationships, and how and why the places they make differ across space and time. Geographers have a deep interest in how our world is changing and how societies might intervene to make better futures.

With climate change upon us, environmental crises, growing inequalities in New Zealand and around the world, along with the increasing threat of global conflict, the subject of Geography has never been more important. Through purposeful study of Geography, the goal for students is to be well placed to make sense of the changes happening in our world. In addition to that you will develop geographical understandings that can lead to a diverse range of well paid and in-demand career options. 

In Year 13 Geography you will learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information.  

Course Content:

1. Geographic research
2. A geographic issue:  central Wellington’s Golden Mile Revitalization
3. Evaluate a significant event: CubaDupa
4. Geographic skills & concepts (including orienteering)
5. Global study: global patterns (topics include tourism and water scarcity)
6. Current events

A full day field trip to Wellington's CBD may take place early in Term 3.  The costs will be minimal.  Students may also do orienteering on the waterfront and on Matairangi Mt Victoria. 

Year 13 German builds on Level 2 German  and prepares students to take NCEA Level 3. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into German language, literature and culture. Emphasis on understanding and developing complex grammar structures and verb tenses are also an important aspect of the course. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and Germany, Social issues including Homelessness and Unemployment and Media and Technology. There are 2 internals to complete during the school year and 2 external standards (Listening and Reading) conducted by NCEA. 

Level 3 Health  is the ultimate subject for students seeking meaningful pathways to university and life beyond school. It empowers students to think critically about real world issues such as Hauora and wellbeing, mental health, health promotion, inequality, and global health challenges topics that shape our everyday lives and future societies. Through in-depth research, report writing, and evidence-based discussions, students develop high level skills in analysis, communication, empathy, and ethical decision-making. These skills are highly valued in a wide range of university courses and careers, including health sciences, medicine, psychology, education, social work, and public policy. If you’re passionate about making a difference, understanding people, and driving positive change, Health Education offers a powerful foundation for your future.  

Level 3 History is a senior history course. Students will study a range of topics, most likely drawn from the following:

• The Strategic Bombing Campaign of WWII
• Mobsters at War
• Streets of Fear: The Jack the Ripper Investigation
• The O.J. Simpson Murder Trial

Level 3 History in University is an advanced senior course that allows students to complete a first-year university paper through Victoria University in Term 3, while also working towards their NCEA assessments. Students will examine a variety of topics, likely drawn from the following:

• American Revolution
• Mobsters at War
• Streets of Fear: The Jack the Ripper Investigation

These topics will be followed by the first-year university paper, HIST113: The World Remade, 1919–1939. which will be completed in Terms 3 and 4.

Level 3 Japanese is an advanced senior course designed to further develop students’ language skills. Students will learn to interpret, analyse, and evaluate topics. They are also expected to explore others’ perspectives and justify their own opinions with supporting reasons.

Vocabulary will focus on the following themes:

• Land and Environment
• Social Challenges
• Personal Growth and Lifestyle

In terms of Kanji, 36 new characters will be introduced.

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

This course follows the syllabus for the Cambridge International Examinations and has two elements: Pure Mathematics 3 and Probability and Statistics 2. The content for Level 3 Calculus is covered by Pure Mathematics 3, with additional teaching for skills that are not emphasised in the Cambridge curriculum.  All students sit both Level 3 Calculus and Cambridge exams.   Many students in 13MCA also sit Scholarship Calculus or Scholarship Statistics.

Pure Mathematics 3 

• 3.1 Algebra 
• 3.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions 
• 3.3 Trigonometry 
• 3.4 Differentiation 
• 3.5 Integration 
• 3.6 Numerical solution of equations 
• 3.7 Vectors 
• 3.8 Differential equations 
• 3.9 Complex numbers 

Probability & Statistics 2 

• 6.1 The Poisson distribution 
• 6.2 Linear combinations of random variables 
• 6.3 Continuous random variables 
• 6.4 Sampling and estimation 
• 6.5 Hypothesis tests 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

If you are interested in pursuing a career in Computer Science, Operation Research, Applied Mathematics or Commerce, this course is for you. It is a composite course of applied mathematics standards (Trigonometry, Critical Path Analysis, Simultaneous Equations and Linear Programming) and Statistics standards (Experimental Design and Time Series data analysis). 

This course covers the following topics: 

• Linear programming
• Trigonometry
• Critical path analysis
• Experiment
• Time Series
• Systems of Simultaneous Equations

Mathematics at Year 13 divides into three courses of which you may choose up to two of:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Mathematics (General)

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere 

The course is designed is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level or studying in applied Science Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Architecture or Technology at university. It is also useful if you are interested in careers in Commerce or any field where analysis is important. \

Mathematicians and scientists and engineers use concepts of Calculus in all sorts of contexts and use jargon and notations that, without learning about Calculus, would be completely inscrutable to you.

In this course, you will

• explore the complex number world
• investigate the instantaneous change (called the "derivative") of various functions. (The process of doing so is called "differentiation".)
• use derivatives to solve various kinds of problems.
• go back from the derivative of a function to the function itself. (This process is called "integration".)
• Explore detailed methods for integrating functions of certain kinds.
• 
  

Mathematics at Year 13 divides into three courses of which you may choose up to two of:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Mathematics (General)

We live in a world in which we are flooded with information. It is crucial to be able to analyse and consider the validity of claims before we accept them as truth. Statistics is the study of the collection, organisation, analysis and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments. Virtually every job requires people with statistical knowledge. 

Studying Statistics will develop your critical thinking and analytic skills, enable you to construct, write and critique formal reports. Statistics forms part of many tertiary courses of study. You do not need to have taken Statistics at school to study it later, but many Year 13 students do find it useful preparation for their first year course of study.

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Investigate bivariate data
• Make a statistical inference
• Evaluate statistical reports
• Probability concepts
• Probability distributions
• Linear programming

Mathematics at Year 13 divides into three courses of which you may choose up to two of:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Mathematics (General)

The Level 3 Media Studies course is designed to develop and deepen your creative, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Through the examination and critical application of a range of theories, along with the practical application of the production process, you will gain the confidence to be more discerning about the impact of media on society.

As a Level 3 course, it offers students the opportunity to study a number of media and film theory, undertake research, and partake in film production. 

The 2026 programme included: writing a screenplay and creating a film within the thriller genre, analysing the representation of the Kiwi Bloke in advertising, and analysing the espionage film genre through films such as The Bourne Ultimatum, Skyfall, and Sicario. The 2027 programme will follow a similar topical structure, plus the 3.2 assessment which asks students to use two differing critical lenses to analyse a film.

Year 13 Music builds on the Year 12 course and offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals.  There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 13 Contemporary Music, but the musical content and contexts will be more traditional and notation based than that of the Contemporary Music course.  This is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers who are comfortable with traditional styles of music, and are self-motivated independent learners.  

Further information about all Music courses can be found here: https://sites.google.com/wc.school.nz/wcmusiccourseresources/home?authuser=0 

Level 3 Pathways focuses on 

• Developing students’ financial literacy
• Enhancing workplace literacy
• Future planning and preparation for leaving school 

Students have the opportunity to participate in an extended Gateway work experience placement. In many cases this provides the opportunity for industry based standards to be completed and assessed. 

13 Pathways (Individual) supports students to pursue specialist areas not covered by the formal school curriculum. Currently these include: 

• University Papers through Victoria and Canterbury Universities (others available)
• Wellington Trades Academy 
• Aviation - PPL Papers through IAANZ
• Motor Industry Training Organisation micro credential
• Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation micro credential
• Plumbing Industry standards
• Electrical Industry standards
• Primary Industry standards

If you are interested in this course, select it and enter your goal. 

You can also make an appointment to discuss their ideas with Mr Davidson.

Level 3 Performance Physical Education is more than just playing sport—it’s about unlocking your potential and building a future full of opportunity. This course challenges you to think like an athlete, train like a scientist, and perform like a leader. You'll dive deep into exercise physiology, personal training and leadership, while developing key life skills such as resilience, discipline, time management, and goal setting. Whether you're aiming for high-level sport, a career in health or fitness, or simply want to push your own performance to the next level, this subject offers the perfect blend of practical learning and personal growth. If you're passionate about sport performance, human movement, leadership and or self-improvement, this is the subject that will take you further.  

Level 3 Photography is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop and refine ideas through a range of photographic techniques, including manual camera settings, studio lighting, and digital editing. Learning will involve research into established practice and artists' approaches to visual storytelling. The external two-panel portfolio will present a cohesive body of work that demonstrates control of photographic conventions and a clear development of ideas.  

Level 3 Physical Education is the ultimate humanities-based subject, offering a dynamic and future-focused pathway that bridges academic knowledge with real-life application. It develops critical thinking skills essential for university and employment, including data collation, interpretation of research literature, report writing, and evaluative thinking. Through the study of sport science principles, and sociological influences on participation, students explore complex human behaviours and societal issues. Level 3 Physical Education fosters leadership, resilience, communication, and ethical understanding qualities that are highly sought after across all industries. More than just physical activity, level 3 Physical Education is a rigorous, evidence-based discipline that prepares students to thrive in any pathway they choose.  

Level 3 Physics is a rigorous course which builds on the knowledge and skills gained in Level 2 Physics. It covers mechanical systems, electrical systems, wave systems, atomic and nuclear physics as well as practical investigation skills.  

Level 3 Politics explores the structures, processes, and tensions within political systems, with a focus on power, authority, and legitimacy. Students critically examine how governments operate, how political decisions are made, and how citizens and groups engage in and challenge political authority. The course includes case studies, such as the United States political system, conflict in the Middle East, and New Zealand political history. Through analysis and debate, students develop the skills to evaluate political ideas, movements, and real-world responses to political power.    

In Year 13 Gagana Sāmoa-Samoan Language we have a “blended program” which is completely  accessed online through ‘Te Kura’.  Students will be able to gain NCEA Level 3 credits for their internal and external assessments. All learning material is presented in fun and interactive activities including quizzes, PowerPoint presentations, and video recordings. 

In class, we  will continue to build on the language skills learned in previous years, with the emphasis on communicating in Gagana  Sāmoa. By the end of the year students should be able to hold short conversations to do with everyday life,  and to talk about past events and their future plans. Students will continue to learn about Samoan cultural values, the Fa'asāmoa - Samoan way of life and Aganu'u fa'asāmoa.  

Year 13 Spanish builds on Level 2 Spanish and prepares students to take NCEA Level 3. The emphasis is on a communicative approach to learning and developing a deeper, wider understanding of communicative strategies and gaining an insight into German language, literature and culture. Emphasis on understanding and developing complex grammar structures and verb tenses are also an important aspect of the course. Topics include; Film studies, discussing the environment in NZ and Spain, Social issues including Homelessness and Unemployment and Media and Technology. There are 2 internals to complete during the school year and 2 external standards (Listening and Reading) conducted by NCEA. 

Most Year 13 students have 5 timetabled subjects plus a study. 

You will have one line of study periods in your timetable to revise and complete assessments. 

This is only an option for students in Year 13.

Note - you cannot choose study if you select Sports Academy or Coding for Engineering.

The Year 13 Te Reo Māori course gives students the opportunity to use their te reo Māori skills to explore complex traditional and contemporary Māori issues and to prepare students for NCEA Level 3 and NZ Scholarship. The course explores Māori ways of living in both modern and traditional contexts. Students are expected to develop a range of communication strategies to express their thoughts and ideas about complex issues. They can expect to undertake individual research to supplement class-based activities. The use of te reo Māori is encouraged in all lessons.