Over the last 20 years MRI scanning has allowed scientists to develop a better understanding of what happens inside the brain when learning occurs. Added to this, educational research now gives teachers a much better understanding of how learning occurs.
From the research we know that quality learning occurs when it is:
Each person brings a different prior knowledge to the learning experience and learns new knowledge and skills in different ways. The way we learn is as unique as our fingerprint.
When students work together through collaboration, peer-tutoring and reciprocal teaching this results in a deeper understanding of the material being covered.
Each student comes into a learning activity with a different prior knowledge. This means they each require different levels of content, context, challenge and pace.
When a student initiates a learning experience or exploration, they learn more.
When a student connects their learning to the real world in an authentic manner.
At Te Puke High School we are meeting this challenge by placing our students at the heart of our school. Within a supportive learning environment, our students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and achievement. Through this approach our students develop as confident, connected and competent 21st Century learners.
Te Puke High School is small enough to care and large enough to compete.
“Teachers have established positive and respectful relationships with students. They are continuing to reflect and refine on their approach to teaching and learning within the open learning areas and environments.” ERO Report, 2015
This course provides opportunities for students to explore digital media and computational thinking. Students will learn skills in image editing, electronics, programming, website and game development. They will apply a design process using problem-solving, research and planning to create a range of digital solutions.
In Food classes ākonga are encouraged to learn about nutrition and food safety as well as the design cycle that all Technology classes teach. As students become more skilled, they may have the opportunity to experiment with various recipes and ingredients – creating their own Food design concepts. They will learn basic life skills that will hopefully encourage healthy eating habits, spark an interest in the culinary arts or even become our next Masterchef.
Wood Technology gives students a hands-on opportunity to unleash their creativity as they design and construct their own projects using a range of woodworking tools. From sketching to finishing, they’ll learn essential techniques while incorporating principles of design. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure working environment. At the course’s end, students proudly take home their completed masterpieces.
In this course students will have the opportunity to design and develop more than one product. Students will learn how to use and maintain engineering tooling and machinery. All students will have an introduction to Health and Safety within a workshop environment. This course will enable the student to consider options within the engineering field in the future.
In Mixed Materials, ākonga (students) are encouraged to learn through the design and making of products. They will create their own cushion design through various applied design methods such as applique, fabric crayons, tie dying, embroidery, and stenciling. The second product will be something personal for themselves, such as bunting or PJ pants.
Bonjour! Want to learn how to speak to over 300 million people in over 50 countries and territories around the world? Then this is the course for you! Learn to talk about yourself and your family, learn more about your own culture and language and start your journey into the awesome and diverse French-speaking world. And you get to try some French food too!
Konnichi wa! Fascinated by Japanese culture, language and writing? Love all things kawaii? Watch anime and want to understand them without subtitles one day? Explore Japan and start your journey in Japanese in this course. Learn how to talk about yourself and what to do when meeting a Japanese person for the first time. You’ll also get to read and write some of the characters as well as deepening your knowledge of Japanese culture, food and history.
This is a beginners course. We start from the vowels, consonants, greetings, farewells, numbers, days, months, basic conversation with a mihi, pepeha and 3 generations of whakapapa (genealogy). There will be other levels also offered in this class to progress learners who already have the above knowledge.
This course aims to develop student self-esteem through an achievable and enjoyable programme. It ensures that akonga who wish to continue with Art at other levels are well prepared in a variety of techniques, mediums and approaches. We encourage good work habits, pride in achievement and respect of our own and others’ work. Akonga will complete units of work that will engage with skills and media in Drawing, Painting, Toi ataata Maori, Photography, Design, Film, or 3D Construction. Drawing is a major component throughout the unit.
Year 9 Dance aims to build on many essential skills such as sharing ideas, collaboration, and confidence. Ākonga will explore a range of different dance styles and use their creativity to apply their own movement vocabulary. Dance allows ākonga to develop their confidence, teamwork and creativity through the exploration of the Elements of Dance. Ākonga will complete units of Mahi which involve Movement, Choreography, Group Work and Exploration.
One action filled Term exploring all aspects of Visual Communication. Putting pencil to paper and getting creative with 2D and 3D objects. Freehand sketching, instrumental drawing and CAD work. Have your design 3D printed or laser cut to take home and enjoy. This is the first step toward VR learning.
Year 9 Music is a taster course that aims to introduce ākonga to music at high school level. It covers learning to understand how to read music, understand a little bit about music notation, how to listen to music and how to perform music. Also covered are a variety of different music skills such as learning chords on a guitar and keyboard and learning about different aspects of music including lyric writing.
Our Level One Science students will be assessed in four new standards that are each worth 5 credits. The internally assessed standards will be assessed through a portfolio of student work completed during class, while the externally assessed standards will be assessed digitally in Terms 3 and 4.
We are really excited to be able to provide a science course that is designed specifically for our students here at Te Puke High School and which gives students a great foundation from which to launch their future learning in Science.
Curriculum Level 5
Mr K Nair
None
Endorsement Available: Yes
Internal Credits: 10
External Credits: 10
L1 Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
UE Reading Credits: 0
UE Writing Credits: 0
This is a Level Two, multi-disciplinary general science course for students wanting to continue their studies in the Sciences, but not wanting to study at university. It will cover the 3 sciences – Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in an all-inclusive internally assessed course.
Key aspects of the course include linking to industry and practical work outside of the classroom. Students need to be prepared to take part in field trips.
It will continue on into a Level 3 course for students in the following year if they choose.
None
Mr K Nair
None
Endorsement Available: No
Internal Credits: 15
External Credits: 0
L1 Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
UE Reading Credits: 0
UE Writing Credits: 0
This course is for students who have an interest in agriculture, horticulture or would like to learn the application of science in a context that is real and visible in the Bay of Plenty.
Learning occurs in both theoretical and practical settings.
Curriculum Level 5
Patrick Martin
Field Trips
Endorsement Available: Yes
Internal Credits: 14
External Credits: 14
L1 Literacy Credits: 21
Numeracy Credits: 0
UE Reading Credits: 0
UE Writing Credits: 0
Students taking this course have the opportunity to learn about livestock reproductive techniques, how the environment affects growth and how farmers and growers modify these factors, carry out an investigation based upon agriculture or horticulture, and participate in field work. Discussing issues and practices with experts is an important part of this course.
Achieved in one external in L1 Ag/Hort or L1 Science
Patrick Martin
Field Trips
Endorsement Available: Yes
Internal Credits: 20
External Credits: 4
L1 Literacy Credits: 24
Numeracy Credits: 4
UE Reading Credits: 0
UE Writing Credits: 0
This course is suited to students who have an interest in agriculture, horticulture, the environment, marketing, or business management. Students taking this course have the opportunity to; develop an understanding of the management decisions required in agriculture or horticulture production, explore the impact of primary production on the environment, complete research work including investigations, field trips and discussion with experts, and develop research and self-management skills beneficial to any university course.
Achieved L2 Ag/Hort External
Patrick Martin
Field Trips
Endorsement Available: Yes
Internal Credits: 10
External Credits: 9
L1 Literacy Credits: 19
Numeracy Credits: 15
UE Reading Credits: 15
UE Writing Credits: 15