SENIOR 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.
Senior students work towards passing from an extensive range of NCEA credits, unit standard credits, and/or towards National Certificates.
It is the College's philosophy that no student should embark on a particular course of study without due consultation between student, caregiver and the College subject teachers and Deans. 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
Recommended Prior Learning
Most courses at Years 12 and 13 have prior learning requirements. This means that for the student to understand the subject at this level, they should have studied it previously. If you do not meet the prior learning requirements for a subject you want to take, you must consult with the Head of Department or Teacher in Charge of that subject.
Universty Entrance Requirements
To gain entrance to a NZ university, students need:
- A minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of 2 subjects from the approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than 2 additional domains on the NQF or approved subjects.
- A minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the NQF.
- A minimum of 8 credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori: 4 credits must be in Reading and 4 credits must be in Writing.
The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule or approved Achievement Standards and Unit Standards.
NZQA Approved Subjects:
The list of approved subjects for entrance to university.
Accounting
French (Second Language)
Music Studies
Agriculture & Horticulture
Painting (Practical Art)
Biology
Graphics
Physical Education
Economics
Chemistry
History
Physics
History of Art
Photography (Practical Art)
Classical Studies
Printmaking (Practical Art)
Computing Science
Design (Practical Art)
Sculpture (Practical Art)
Drama
Mathematics with Calculus
Social Studies
Mathematics with Statistics
English
Media Studies
Te Reo Rangatira or Te Reo Maori
Geography
Year 11
In Year 11 students will take six subjects.
A course in Te Reo Maori or English is compulsory for all students. Students may study both Te Reo Maori and an English course.
Science is compulsory for all students unless a written exemption is obtained from the Principal.
All Year 11 students take a Mathematics course so that they do not restrict their career choices later on.
For their sixth option, students may choose from Physical Education and Health or Drama or another subject. Students taking 'another subject' as their sixth option will be invited to do so by the Deans.
Most Year 11 subjects offer Achievement Standards which earn credits towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1, for which eighty credits are required. Unit Standards, where offered, also earn credits towards the NCEA and in some cases towards other national certificates.
Subject List For Year 11 (availability subject to demand): Accounting
Biology
Building Construction and Allied Trades
Drama
Economics
NCEA English
Unit Standards English
Food Technology
French
Geography
History
Horticulture
Hospitality
Information Management
Intermediate Rural Studies
NCEA Mathematics
Unit Standards Mathematics
Music
Physical Education and Health
Physical Science
NCEA Science
Unit Standards Science
Te Reo Maori
Technology Drawing
Textiles
Visual Art
Year 12
In Year 12 all students take Health and Study and five other subjects. Most Year 12 subjects offer Achievement Standards that earn credits towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2, for which eighty credits are required. A course in either Te Reo Maori or English (which may be NCEA English Level 1 or 2, or Practical English Year 11 or 12) is compulsory for all Year 12 students. Students may study both Te Reo Maori and an English course.
Subject List For Year 12 (availability subject to demand)
Accounting
Visual Art
Unit Standards Building, Construction and Allied Trades
Biology
Chemistry
Drama
Economics
NCEA Level 2 English
Unit Standards English
Food And Nutrition
Food Technology
French
Geography
Health and Study
History
Introduction To Vet Nursing
NCEA Level 2 Mathematics
Unit Standards Level 1 & 2 Mathematics
Mathematics with Statistics
Music
Physics
Retail Sales
Senior Physical Education
Technology Drawing
Te Reo Maori
Textiles Technology
Young Enterprise Certificate
National Certificate Courses:
Computing Level 2
Enterprise Certificate In Management
Senior Rural Studies
Travel And Tourism - Level 2
Year 13
In Year 13 all students take five subjects. No subject is compulsory in Year 13. Most Year 13 subjects offer Achievement Standards that earn credits towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at Level 3, for which eighty credits are required.
Year 13 Subjects (availability subject to demand)
Automotive Course – “A”
Biology
Chemistry
Classical Studies
Drama
Economics
NCEA Level 3 English
Unit Standards English
Food and Nutrition
Food Technology
Gateway
Geography
History
Introduction To Vet Nursing
Mathematics With Calculus
Mathematics With Statistics
Music
Physics
Retail Sales
Senior Physical Education
Technology Drawing
Technology Unit Standards
Textiles Technology
Te Reo Rangatira
Visual Art
Young Enterprise Certificate
National Certificate Courses:
Computing Level 3
New Zealand Diploma In Business
Senior Rural Studies
Travel And Tourism - Level 3
Vocational Courses
It is possible for students to undertake study in career related courses. These will be available as an option on the timetable. All courses work towards a national qualification other than NCEA on the Qualification Framework.
These courses are a privilege and as such students must have approval of their Dean to take part. The selection criteria are:
- Willingness to do block courses, work experience and practical lessons out of normal class time - holidays, lunchtime and after school.
- Commitment to both vocational and conventional subjects so work is kept up to date.
- Agreement to pay prescribed fees at the start of the course or to make alternative arrangements such as automatic payments.
NOTE: Only courses with sufficient numbers can run
Multi Level Study
Some students may, after consulting the appropriate Head of Department and their Dean, study one or more subjects at a level other than the year for which they are enrolled. If you want to do this, please see your Dean and consult the senior course booklet.
Correspondence School Procedures
To a subject through Correspondence School a student must:meet the criteria laid down by Correspondence School andbe approved by the principal.Guidelines
Year 12 and Year 13
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 that is not offered at Year 11, subject studied at Year 11 that is not offered at Year 12, or
subject studied at Year 12 that is not offered at Year 13.
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 listed courses is contained in each individual course descriptor in the Tararua College Options booklet.
The College offers payment options to ease the burden of all school costs - for example, automatic bank payments on a fortnightly or monthly basis. There are also various trust funds which students needing assistance may apply to. If you wish to discuss any of the options available for meeting these costs please contact Bronny Lea at the College on (06) 376-8344.
NZQA Charges: For NCEA Levels 1, 2 & 3 Up to 48 credits, $75.00. Payment is due by mid-Term Three.
Scholarships
View information about available scholarships
Homework
Our 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 for Years 11 to 13 should be two hours per night. This is a guide and represents a minimum level, senior classes especially will require more than this from time to time.
Literacy
Tararua College regards improving the literacy of its' 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.
Planning Courses
There is a list of all subjects offered in senior classes at Tararua College in the curriculum chart insert in the Course Information Booklets. Students are advised to check this list carefully to make sure that they will be able to follow their chosen tertiary education and career path.
The list indicates subjects which contribute credits to National Certificates other than the NCEA.As can be seen, some Year 12 courses do not lead to courses in Year 13.
If you are planning to enter university you should ensure that you will be able to study at least four university entrance subjects in Year 13.
Some subjects may not be offered if student numbers are too low or the subject may be taught in combination with the Year 11 or Year 13 class in that subject.
Before making a final decision students (and parents/caregivers) should talk to as many people as possible. These people should include the Deans, Careers Adviser, Guidance Counsellor, teachers in a particular subject area, a Deputy Principal, and students who have taken the particular subject.
Planning Careers
Tararua College, Churchill St, PO Box 94, Pahiatua, 4941.
Phone 06 3768344, email: admin@tararuacollege.school.nz
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Site last updated June 2, 2010