Curriculum

At Kaikorai Valley College we offer a wide range of subject choices. Junior students study subjects covering all eight learning areas of the New Zealand Curriculum.

Senior students choose from a varied selection of academic and vocational subjects. Students wishing to study a subject not on offer may have the option to study via distance learning. Senior students may also study subjects at a different year level to their own.

The table below has information on the current subjects we offer. Compulsory subjects are in bold.

Senior Students have the opportunity to study courses at the Otago Secondary-Tertiary College (OSTC). These courses are based at the Otago Polytechnic on Fridays and give students qualifications towards NCEA and various career pathways.

Students are based in a homeroom with a primary trained teacher. In their homeroom students learn reading, language skills, social studies and health. In class grouping caters for different abilities. For Mathematics, students from each year level join together and are placed in learning groups according to their level of achievement. Students are taught Science and Physical Education by specialist subject teachers.

Students experience a broad curriculum by rotating through modules of Art, Drama, Music, Japanese, Food Technology, Digital Technology, Design & Visual Communication, Soft/Hard Materials Technology. These are taught by specialist subject teachers.

Kaikorai Valley Junior College students have the advantage of being taught by a homeroom teacher and specialist subject teachers. Students are taught in specialist facilities such as the science laboratories, music suite, drama theatre, gymnasium, art rooms, computer suites, library information centre and technology workshops.

Students are placed in a Form Class, and have a Form Teacher who looks after their pastoral needs. Together with their Form Class, students study the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Health and Careers.

One Form Class will be a smaller group; a learning support class developed with the aim to help accelerate the learning of students who have previously struggled academically. There will also be teacher-aide support in this class in an effort to improve the students core subject’s skills.

High achieving students are identified and given extension work and opportunities to join extension programmes.

All students are regrouped with other students from their year level for module classes. All students rotate through modules of Art, Music, Drama, Foods, Design and Visual Communication, Soft/Hard Materials, Digital Technology, Japanese, Maori.

All subjects are taught by specialist subject teachers.

Students are placed in a Form Class, and have a Form Teacher who looks after their pastoral needs. Together with their Form Class, students study the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Health and Careers.

One Form Class will be a smaller group; a learning support class developed with the aim to help accelerate the learning of students who have previously struggled academically. There will also be teacher-aide support in this class in an effort to improve the students’ core subject’s skills.

High achieving students are identified and given extension work and opportunities to join extension programmes.

Students choose three other subjects of their choice. The current optional subjects are: Art, Music, Drama, Foods, Design and Visual Communication, Hard Materials Technology, Digital Technology, Japanese.

All subjects are taught by specialist subject teachers.

The aim at this level is to assist all students to meet the NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements and gain at least 80 credits over the six subjects to gain the Level 1 National Certificate of Educational Achievement.

All Year 11 students study six subjects. English, Mathematics and Science are compulsory. Students select three subjects of their choice from the following options: Accounting, Geography, History, Visual Art, Music, Drama, Home Economics, Design & Visual Communication, Hard Materials Technology, Digital Technology, Japanese, Physical Education and Skills for Employment.

The aim at this level is for students to gain at least 60 credits to obtain the Level 2 National Certificate of Educational Achievement. As well as the 10 University Entrance Literacy credits, students are also earning credits towards their Vocational Pathway.

All students must study English and Mathematics. Students then choose four optional subjects. These subjects can be academic, vocational or a mixture of both.

The Year 12 options are: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Media Studies, Accounting, Geography, History, Visual Art, Music, Drama, Hospitality, Design & Visual Communication, Hard Materials, Digital Technology, Japanese, Physical Education, Outdoor Pursuits and Skills for Employment.

Career counselling and work experience are offered to all. An extensive network of employers known to the school often means students can do work experience or find good occupations or apprenticeships to enter.

One afternoon a week all Year 12 students are involved in a variety of activities such as outdoor education, work experience, first aid, community service.

Students have the opportunity to study courses towards their vocational pathway at the Otago Secondary Tertiary College run by the Otago Polytechnic one day a week. Current courses on offer are: Automotive, Building and Construction, Cookery, Electrical Engineering, Health, Disability and Aged Care.

Gateway is a structured workplace learning option for students who are ready to explore a career option in the workplace. Students are placed in a workplace usually one day a week.

STAR programmes are short courses leading to unit standard credits which give students experience in a career field.

At Year 13 courses are arranged to meet the needs of the individual student. Careful guidance is given about the requirements to gain University Entrance, Vocational Pathways and the 60 credits needed to gain the Level 3 National Certificate of Educational Achievement. Able students are encouraged to enter the Scholarship examinations.

There are no compulsory subjects at year 13. Students are encouraged to select subjects that match their possible Vocational Pathway.

The Year 13 options are: English, Media Studies, Calculus, Statistics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Media Studies, Accounting, Geography, History, Visual Art, Photography, Design, Painting, Music, Drama, Hospitality, Design & Visual Communication, Hard Materials, Digital Technology, Japanese, Physical Education, Outdoor Pursuits.

Students have the opportunity to study courses towards their vocational pathway at the Otago Secondary Tertiary College run by the Otago Polytechnic one day a week. Current courses on offer are, Automotive, Building and Construction, Cookery, Electrical Engineering, Health, Disability and Aged Care.

Gateway is a structured workplace learning option for students who are ready to explore a career option in the workplace. Students are placed in a workplace usually one day a week.

STAR programmes are short courses leading to unit standard credits which give students experience in a career field.