Academic
2021 Course Selection
Junior Subject Pathways
Our goal at HGHS is for you to be engaged, to be inspired and to be creative in your learning as you develop values, skills and knowledge in Year 9 and 10. Some of our learning areas will be new to you and you will enjoy the challenge of these. Others you will have developed an interest in already and we know that you will enjoy furthering your skills and inquiry.
All students will take seven learning areas as a class or hub. There are then opportunities for students to select subjects of interest or passion. Within the curriculum we also offer all junior students the chance to be part of Mana Wahine, our Māori performing arts group. Junior students have at least one Kāhui Kaupapa a cycle in which they have mentoring to support their study.
Senior Subject Pathways
Cling to the main vine, not the loose one.
Kei hopu tōu ringa kei te aka tāepa, engari kia mau te aka matua
Our NCEA level courses are designed around the whakatauki above and with students' interests and passions at the centre. We want our students to develop robust knowledge, capabilities and skills in a breadth of subject areas, and grow as critical thinkers and good communicators. Students choose pathways that ensure that all future doors are open to them, and that they can contribute to society confidently and with value.
It is important to us at HGHS that you as a student are at the centre of decisions made
about your NCEA pathway. The information on our website will help you with advice around choosing your subjects for 2021, who to ask for help, and details of the courses in different learning areas.
Each learning area gives you information on the pathways they offer and what careers or
next steps they connect with. It is important that you read it carefully, discuss with your
family, whānau, aiga and with Akina Coaches and contact Mrs Kelsey, DP Curriculum, if you have any further questions.
The 2021 updated course information is available in the link below:
Senior Subject Selection
Course selection closed on Friday 18th September. Students will now need to see their House or Academic Dean.
Kāhui Kaupapa
Senior courses are taught directly in two 100 minute classes a week. On a Friday all senior students work in a Kāhui Kaupapa. This allows them to direct and plan their learning for the day - completing large internals, work in small tutorial groups or 1-1 with teachers and peers, use practical areas such as art rooms, science labs, music rooms and the food science room for longer practical's. Teachers provide mentoring and guidance preparing students for tertiary study. Careers and University advice, scholarship teaching, financial literacy, EIT trades are amongst some of the other opportunities offered on a Friday.
Feedback from Senior Students:
"We loved that we could get help from each other as well as the teacher."
"We loved the fact we could email teachers and get 1-2-1 help."
'‘We loved the longer time to get internals completed."
Reporting
We are committed to finding better ways of engaging both students and whānau more regularly and personally in the learning journey that we offer at HGHS, so we are investing in a more interpersonal approach, led by our Akina Coach, who is committed to their 'team' of girls and their stories and with whom whānau can more regularly communicate. Akina Coaches are primarily concerned with the overall picture of a student’s journey.
The purpose of the Senior Progress Hui was to build a stronger relationship with whānau and communicate our girl’s progress to date with her and her whānau, as well as shaping a plan for the subject-specific Pathways Hui.
The purpose of the Pathways Hui was for our girl (and her whānau) to have the opportunity to put into action a plan in consultation with subject area experts who know the curriculum and checkpoints she will need to meet.
Reports - Key to Terms
Novice - new to the content and still working on a basic level of understanding and practise of the desired capabilities.
Apprentice - beginning to make progress in their understanding and practise of the desired capabilities.
Practitioner - has a solid grasp of the fundamentals and practises most of the desired capabilities, most of the time.
Expert - is confident and consistent in their understanding of academic content and their practise of desired capabilities.
Junior Students
Term 1
- Contact with parents through email / New student/whānau BBQ - 5pm, Thursday, 11 February 2021.
- Progress report on Yr 9 and 10 and Key Competencies - due TBC
Term 2
- Written reports for Juniors - Due TBC
- Parent Hui - TBC
Term 3
- Progress Check report: Key Competencies - TBC
Term 4
- Written reports Juniors - TBC
NCEA Students
Term 1
- Contact home via email sharing course outlines and introducing teacher
- Goal setting/NCEA Workshops Day - TBC
- Progress Reports - Due TBC
Term 2
- Senior Reports - Due TBC
- NCEA Progress Credit tracking sheet - TBC
Term 3
- NCEA Tracking sheet - TBC
- Parent Hui (post benchmarks) - TBC
Term 4
- NCEA Progress sheet - TBC