Year 10 Elective Options

You will learn a range of dance styles and techniques, create your own choreography, and work with others to perform and share dance pieces. Dance also gives you the opportunity to explore different cultures, stories, and perspectives through movement.

Whether you are an experienced dancer or simply enjoy being active and creative, Dance offers a supportive environment where you can challenge yourself, work as part of a team, and develop skills that will help you both on and off the stage.

This course combines these two areas of Technology into one course where you will be learning how to design product and architectural outcomes.

The Design and Visual Communication area focuses on design thinking and hand sketching your ideas, while the Digital Technology part looks at presenting your designs in fully rendered 2D and 3D imagery and animation.

You will continue to learn how to create people-friendly designs and learn how design and architecture influence our daily lives.

You will continue to learn how to use advanced computer programs to create professional looking images, animations and video presentations.

You will learn acting and performance skills, create your own drama work, and collaborate with others to develop and present performances. Through drama, you will explore different roles, situations, and perspectives while developing your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Whether you love performing on stage or enjoy being creative and working with others, drama provides a supportive environment where you can challenge yourself, express your ideas, and grow in confidence.

The Nutritional Technology part of the course is a practical and theory based course that explores how we design food to suit a range of purposes while designing for ourselves and others.

The Hard Materials part of this course looks at wood and plastics design using hard materials.

Both courses have a practical and theory focus so you will be researching, analysing, designing, creating and innovating.

The Nutritional Technology part of the course is a practical and theory based course that explores how we design food to suit a range of purposes while designing for ourselves and others.

The Textiles part of this course looks at fashion and product design using soft materials.

Both courses have a practical and theory focus so you will be researching, analysing, designing, creating and innovating.

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.

You will learn the basics of how plants grow and what they need to stay healthy. Students will have opportunities to grow a range of plants, learn simple propagation techniques, care for gardens and explore how factors such as soil, water, light and temperature affect plant growth.

The course will also introduce students to different areas of horticulture and the important role plants play in our environment, food production and everyday lives.

Students will develop skills in:

• Basic music literacy
• Music analysis
• Skills in a chosen instrument
• Group performance
• Digital music composition
• Performance skills

Students will:

• Develop acting techniques, improvisation, and scripted performances in Drama
• Learn haka, waiata, and cultural narratives in Te Ao Haka
• Explore dance styles, choreography, and stage performance in Dance
• Build confidence, creativity, and teamwork while showcasing their talents through movement, storytelling, and cultural expression

Students will explore:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Energy Systems
• Injury Prevention
• Goal Setting
• Leadership
• Nutrition
• Fitness Testing
• Problem Solving
• Mental Preparation

Note: This course is not for Pathway to the Podium students.

You will learn and perform a variety of haka and Māori performing arts, work collaboratively with others, and explore the stories, traditions, and values that sit behind each performance. Through Te Ao Haka, you will build confidence, strengthen your communication and leadership skills, and develop a greater appreciation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bicultural heritage.

Whether you have previous experience or are new to Māori performing arts, Te Ao Haka offers a supportive environment where you can express yourself, connect with others, and celebrate culture through performance.

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)
• whakarongo (listening)

In Year 10, you will experiment with new artistic styles, materials, and techniques across key disciplines—including Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture—along with basic digital skills for art-making. You will also explore your own heritage and identity through cultural art concepts, including Toi Māori, Pasifika art, and diverse multicultural perspectives. This practical course encourages creative problem-solving and builds a solid foundation for senior art pathways.

Note: This course can be taken in both semesters, with completely new projects each time.