JUNIOR CURRICULAR INFORMATION
Academic Programmes
Tararua College offers a wide range of subjects within innovative programmes. These provide many different learning opportunities for students to gain qualifications in both conventional academic and vocational courses, and cater for all levels of ability.
As part of the normal classroom programmes there are extension and remedial programmes.
Before making a final decision students (and parents/caregivers) should talk to as many people as possible. These people include the Deans, Careers Adviser, Guidance Counsellor, teachers in a particular subject area, the teacher-in-charge of curriculum, the Deputy Principals, and students who have taken a particular subject. At all levels information is distributed early to help students plan their courses for the following year.
When making selections, students should bear in mind:
- Their interests
- The subjects they like
- The subjects they are good at
- Requirements for tertiary courses
- Their career interests
Years 9 and 10 subjects curently offered
In Year 9 all subjects listed are compulsory.
English
Health and Physical Education
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Technology
Art
French
Music
Te Reo Maori
Year 10 Subjects:
At Year 10, students (and parents/caregivers) should choose option subjects that give a broad educational base. It is a mistake to specialise too early. Most subjects can be picked up at Year 11. The main advantage in taking an option in Year 10 is that these students may have preference in Year 11 if the student numbers wanting to take a particular subject exceed the maximum number of places available.
In Year 10 the subjects marked * are compulsory. Students must choose three option subjects from the list and choose a fourth subject in case one of the three option subjects is unavailable.
English*
Health and Physical Education*
Mathematics*
Science*
Social Studies*
Year 10 Options: (Choose three)
Accounting
Business Technology
Drama
Economics
Food Technology
French
Horticulture
Information and Communication Technology
Junior Rural Studies
Materials Technology
Music
Technology Drawing
Te Reo Maori
Textiles
Visual Art
Correspondence Subjects
The information included here covers all year levels so that students and caregivers can consider options available in the future as well as at Year 10.
To study a subject through Correspondence School a student must:
- Meet the criteria laid down by the Correspondence School and
- Be approved by the Principal
Guidelines
Years 9 to 11
The following guidelines summarise the entry requirements to the Correspondence School from the College:
The subject is not offered at the College and is essential for the students chosen career. Principal’s approval is required.
Students transferred from another school wish to continue with the subject not offered at the College.
Subject studied at Year 10 not available in Year 11 level.
Notes:
Acceptance under Correspondence School criteria does not automatically mean that the Correspondence School will accept you as a student.
The College regards studying through the Correspondence School as a privilege and reserves the right to withdraw students who fail to abide by the College rules.
Students are expected to complete work on time and must be prepared to work on their own under class supervision. Failure to do so will result in your withdrawal from the course.
Course Costs
The costs for doing any of the following courses should be contained in the individual course details. Please make sure you are aware of all costs involved in the courses you wish to take.
The college offers payment options to ease the burden of all school costs – for example, automatic bank payments on a fortnightly or monthly basis and Internet banking – if you use internet banking please email blea@tararuacollege.school.nz with the details of the payments.
There are also various trust funds which senior students needing assistance may apply to.
The college is conscious that, for some families, meeting course costs may be difficult. If you wish to discuss any of the options available for meeting these costs, please contact Bronny Lea at the college on 376-8344.
Homework
Tararua College Policy on homework cites:
Homework is a vital part of student learning at Tararua College. It should be used to establish self-discipline and independent work habits as well as reinforcing Curriculum delivery.
All staff are expected to set homework and monitor its completion. All students are to do homework.
Homework set should be at a level appropriate to the ability of the individual student and must be written into each student's logbook.
The amount of homework in total should be as follows:
Year 9 - one hour per night.
Year 10 - one and a half hours per night.
This is a guide and represents minimum levels.
Literacy
Tararua College regards improving the literacy of it's students as an imperative, and has appointed a teacher in charge of literacy initiatives (Mrs Aldsworth).
Students must spend their Form times doing sustained silent reading.
Teachers are expected to operate a system of introducing 'key words' during class, reinforced with a written glossary, to broaden vocabulary and encourage the use of appropriate terminology.
Skills for Learning Programme
In Years 9 and 10, a three-way contract between College, student and parents provides the basis of student learning at Tararua College. Student performance in all subjects is closely monitored in three essential areas:
- Class work completion (students keeping tidy work records and taking responsibility for their own learning and progress)
- Attitude (include taking a proper part in class, behaving well in the classroom, working co- operatively with others, being fully prepared and on time for all lessons)
- Homework (students learning to organise themselves at school and at home by recording their homework, doing it at home and having it finished on time)
Then four times during the year caregivers and students will receive a Junior Graduation Report, summarising their progress in the Skills for Learning Programme. It will describe the standard of the student's performance in each of the three essential areas and will indicate the total number of points they have gained in all subjects.
At the end of this year, if they are to graduate to the next level of study in 2008, the student will have to have achieved a minimum of 50 per cent of the total number of points that could have been awarded.
- If you gain over 80 per cent you will graduate with excellence
- If you gain between 65 and 79 per cent you will graduate with merit
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If you gain between 50 and 64 per cent you will graduate with credit
Tararua College, Churchill St, PO Box 94, Pahiatua, 4941.
Phone 06 3768344, email: admin@tararuacollege.school.nz
Content © to Tararua College
Site last updated June 2, 2010