Below are the Electives Year 9 students can choose from in 2026.
This elective will give students the opportunity to understand how your body works and to learn how to train it to be better. Not only does the course help you to improve physically but will also look at goal setting and how to be strong mentally.
The things that you will cover are:
Love singing or playing an instrument? In this course, you'll develop your performance skills as both a vocalist and/or instrumentalist while building your understanding of music theory and analytical knowledge. You'll learn how music is constructed, explore the elements of music, and develop the skills to analyse and discuss a wide range of musical styles and performances.
You will have the opportunity to attend regular lessons with an Itinerant Music Teacher to help sharpen your technique and support your musical goals. You’ll also have the chance to perform both solo and as part of a group, learn new strategies for effective practice, and discover how preparation and dedication contribute to successful performances.
Through listening, performing, creating, and analysing music, you’ll deepen your appreciation of the subject and gain the knowledge and confidence needed to grow as a musician. Having at least one year of previous instrumental or vocal lessons is recommended, as it will help you get the most out of the course.
A Year 9 pathway for ākonga preparing for NCEA and te ao whānui.
Built on four core Whakaaro Whānui (Big Ideas), this course develops communicative confidence, grammar accuracy, and cultural connection through tuhituhi (writing), kōrero (speaking), pānui (reading), and whakarongo (listening).
In Performing Arts, we introduce students to the exciting world of performance!
You’ll explore a variety of disciplines, including Voicework, Acting, Dance, Music, and Te Ao Haka, while developing an understanding of the fundamental elements that make each art form unique. Through practical experiences and performance opportunities, you’ll learn the foundations of movement, expression, storytelling, rhythm, vocal techniques, and stagecraft.
The course also builds essential skills in creativity, confidence, communication, and collaboration. Our class encourages teamwork, with students working together to create and perform a range of performance pieces. We focus on imagination, self-expression, and the joy of performing, while helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed to become confident and effective performers.
Discover your creative potential and build confidence through hands-on art-making.
In this course, you will explore your identity through foundational drawing techniques and cultural art forms, including Toi Māori and Pasifika art. The visual thinking and practical skills you develop here build an essential foundation for future pathways in both traditional and digital arts.
Explore the exciting world of language and culture. Students will be introduced to a selection of languages including Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese.
Through engaging and interactive learning experiences, students will develop basic communication skills, learn new writing systems and alphabets, and gain an understanding of how languages connect people across the world.
Students will also explore the traditions, customs, values, and everyday life of different cultures, developing a greater appreciation for diversity and global citizenship. This course encourages curiosity, cultural awareness, and confidence in communicating with people from different backgrounds.
This course empowers Year 9 ākonga to develop confidence, fluency, and cultural depth in Gagana Sāmoa and its traditions.
Aligned with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum Big Ideas, students explore the unique building blocks of the language, deepen their connection to identity and heritage, and build essential communication skills for NCEA pathways.
In this two part course you will get the opportunity to explore Nutritional Technology and Digital Technology.
In the Nutritional Technology part of the course you will explore the science of food and nutrition through hands-on learning. In the second part of the course you will focus on the digital world, building your digital literacy, learn to stay safe online, and become a responsible digital citizen.
In this hands-on course, you’ll explore design thinking and communication skills and learn how to turn your ideas into real-world products using tools with wood, plastics and fabrics.
Whether you’re into fashion, product design, architecture, or just love making cool stuff, this course is your launchpad for innovation and creativity.
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