Junior Curriculum

Welcome to the Junior Curriculum at Hastings Girls' High School - Ngā Rau Huia O Ākina

Our Junior curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning in every student. Focused on key ideas like Change, Identity, and Creativity, we encourage students to explore the world around them while developing essential skills in literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts. Through a mix of core subjects and exciting options, students have the opportunity to learn in a way that reflects their interests and strengths. With our unique hub-based learning approach, students will be supported by dedicated teachers and given the tools they need to thrive in both their academic and personal growth.

Our Curriculum, Our Learning

Junior students select a learning hub for each year. Our Junior curriculum starts from the big ideas and enduring understandings that are central to us as human beings, a society and a global world.

Over two years, curriculum study unpacks the concepts and critical thinking around Change, Identity, Social Justice, Sustainability, Belonging, Curiosity, Creativity and Survival. Learning combines cross-curricular understandings with specialist knowledge and skills.

All students continue to develop Literacy, Numeracy, Science and Physical Education skills. In addition, students take Social Sciences, Performing Arts and Technology and all Year 9 learn Te Reo Māori.

During their time in the junior school, students have opportunity to choose from a range of option areas, which can vary from year to year. These options may include: Visual Arts, High Performance Sport, Samoan, Business Studies, Spanish, Music and Drama.

Literacy and Numeracy

Our teaching staff are committed to developing strong literacy and numeracy skills for our Junior students to ensure success at NCEA and are engaged in professional development in both areas. Through the junior years we identify students in need of extra assistance and put plans in place to support them. Our Learning Support Coordinator, SENCO, ELL specialist and specialist Teacher Aides (some bilingual) work closely together to ensure girls have the basic tools they need for further learning. Wrap-around support is provided in smaller learning support groups for those who need it. Senior students will also offer peer tutoring through our Tuakana Teina programme.

Enrichment is provided for all students within the classroom and on EOTC opportunities. In addition, junior students may take an NCEA subject(s) in an area of strength, participate in Tournament of Minds, debating and CEM exams.

Junior Hub Overview

Hastings Girls' High School - Ngā Rau Huia O Ākina is recognized nationally as being innovative and courageous with our direction. Our place-based local curriculum design is one example of why our strategic direction is gaining such attention.

We are committed to building a curriculum which is responsive to the interests, skills and strengths of our girls. We know that when we spend time doing the things we love best, we are more confident in taking risks and learning new things, we excel beyond expectation. To achieve this vision, we have created a junior school which is shaped around our students.

Through researching best practice models, trialling and partnering with curriculum experts, we have built a curriculum model which we believe will best prepare our students for senior school. Considerable thought has been given to aligning our junior curriculum, the new NCEA framework (2022), the National Education and Learning Priorities, and the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum.

Just as with the students, the teachers of each subject area also have a keen interest in the focal point of the Hub. The teachers work as a team, collaborating to create a rich curriculum which enables the students to extend their skills and knowledge in their specific curriculum area, through the one common lens. This purpose-led collaboration between staff creates opportunity for them to draw in each other’s strengths and continuously inquire into the impact of their teaching actions on student learning, and make informed changes to improve their teaching practice, enhancing student learning outcomes.

How does a hub work

Our Junior School is made up of a range of learning ‘Hubs’. The focal point which sits at the centre of each Hub provides the overarching concept from which all other learning areas connect, bridging facts, skills and knowledge across specialist subject areas. The focal point gives the student purpose to their learning as it connects with their individual area of interest, skill and strength.

Each Hub is made up of a mix of Year 9 and 10 students. Surrounding each Hub are subject specialist teachers (Science, Mathematics, Physical Education, Social Studies, English). Junior students also have Te Reo included in their timetable, however this is not connected to the focal point of the Hub.

Working in a hub

The school day is split into ‘blocks’ of time with each block assigned to a core learning area. Skills and knowledge specific to the core learning area are taught during this time.

Learning within the block may also connect to learning occurring in other core learning areas. This crossover is intentional and helps students make meaning from new learning. Learning across all core learning areas is through the lens of the Hub focal point.

Choosing a hub

On enrolment, students will be able to select from a smorgasbord of Hubs, each with their own unique focal point. They will name three Hubs, in order of priority which they feel would be the best fit for their learning. This student selection process will guide class placement for the year. At the end of their first year in the junior school, students will repeat this selection process.