COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
English
English is the study of all aspects of the language. The Year 9 student will continue to develop her spoken and written expression; her listening and reading skills; her awareness of how she communicates through movement and the visual media and her ability to understand what she views and watches.
The English Department teachers promote writing, public speaking, debating, acting and attending theatre performances through both classwork and extracurricular activities.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, the emphasis is on building confidence and gaining competence in basic skills, developing problem-solving strategies and learning to think mathematically. Research is showing that girls develop more confidence in this subject in single sex classrooms.
Science
Science involves finding out about, learning about and understanding the world in which we live. It is fundamental in today's world. Science and technology are major influences in our daily lives, at work, at play and at home. The Year 9 student will meet many new situations and will carry out experiments and investigations. These will help her develop skills in observation, testing ideas, recording and interpreting data, finding information for assignments and using scientific equipment. She will learn to ask the questions "why" and "how" and to clarify her ideas.
Most careers today and in the future require an understanding and knowledge of science.
Social Studies
Social studies is about people and their environment. The subject involves building up knowledge, the development of ideas and the development of skills of research, group-working, graph analysis, map reading and comparative analysis.
By studying a series of societies past and present, the Year 9 student will develop a greater understanding of her own society and of how it changes.
Social Studies teachers encourage students to develop an awareness of current events through the news media.
Physical Education
The main aim of physical education is that each student should gain pleasure and satisfaction from taking part in physical activities, especially those that can relate to the profitable use of leisure time.
Positive attitudes to physical fitness and personal health are encouraged. The development of self-esteem and tolerance of individual differences underlies all activities which are undertaken in the physical education programme. The skills appropriate to a wide range of recreational pursuits in the hope that each girl will feel successful at something, to the point of wanting to be involved with it in her own time. Health issues are an integral part of the PE workbooks, which all students purchase.
A single sex school gives particular opportunity for girls to explore and develop their potential talents and our programme has been developed to reinforce this.
Health
The Health programme in Year 9 covers a range of topics including Caring about Ourselves, Communication and Healthy Bodies. Health is a vitally important curriculum area because of its contribution to personal and social well-being.
Art
Core art involves the students in a range of visual art experiences. Students complete a number of theme based units which focus on developing practical skills and exploring a range of artistic ideas/methods. Where possible contemporary New Zealand artists are examined and used to help in the development of practical work. Themes explored in the past include pattern poems;still life; collage kiwiana; fans and pop Art. Materials used during the course include pastel, acrylic paint, dye, crayon, B pencil etc. By investigating the visual art world students will learn to look and respond to a wider range of environments and recognise New Zealand's unique visual heritage.
Music
All Year 9 students are introduced to music. This course includes an introduction to musical instruments; they make music; they learn about different musical styles; they learn some theory of music. Avonside offers a rich extra-curricular programme in choirs, orchestra and chamber groups. We employ itinerant music teachers who provide tuition in a wide range of musical instruments. The only cost is a small charge for instrument hire.
Technology
Core technology is a compulsory course which introduces students to the design process
and robotics.
THE SENIOR SCHOOL
A course booklet containing detailed information is issued each year.
Years 11, 12 and 13 senior students remain together only in their form class. Their fellow students often change with each different subject they take. At this senior level flexibility of subject choice is considered very important.
The timetable is multi-level enabling students to study appropriately across Level 1, 2, or 3.
YEAR 11
All students in Year 11 must take a course in English, mathematics, a science, and three other options.
All students study towards NCEA Level 1. There are also short term courses in Health, Careers, and Financial Literacy.
YEAR 12
All students must study an English course in Year 12 and five other subjects. There are also compulsory courses in health, careers and financial literacy.
YEAR 13
All students study towards NCEA Level 3. All students take a fulltime course of five subjects.
THE SENIOR SCHOOL
A course booklet containing detailed information is issued each year.
Years 11, 12 and 13 senior students remain together only in their form class. Their fellow students often change with each different subject they take. At this senior level flexibility of subject choice is considered very important.
The timetable is multi-level enabling students to study appropriately across Level 1, 2, or 3.
YEAR 11
All students in Year 11 must take a course in English, mathematics, a science, and three other options.
All students study towards NCEA Level 1. There are also short term courses in Health, Careers, and Financial Literacy.
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HALF-YEAR OPTION SUBJECTS
Art Extension
This course aims to foster students observation, drawing and develop their three dimensional skills not explored in Core Art. A range of units based on themes such as shoes, still-life, cups/saucers, sweets, glasses, are used to investigate a range of materials and ideas in the students visual diaries. These investigations are used in the making of lolly sculptures, shoe constructions, table setting designs and watercolour still-life. Students need not have 'talent' but a willingness to extend the visual art experience.
Music Extension
This course has an emphasis on music-making. Students do not need to be able to play an instrument. In this class they will play music, working on their strengths and interests. They will use the keyboard laboratory to develop their talents. They will need to learn how to read music. The course is a mixture of theory and performance.
Food Technology
Food Technology enables students to understand the requirements of good nutrition for optimal health and personal well being. Through practical activities they learn to make and evaluate decisions in preparing, presenting and storing foods. Students also study the development, packaging and marketing of foods in today's society.
Fabric Technology
Fabric technology enables students to plan and develop decision-making skills and construct simple garments to suit their life style. Through practical activities students investigate use, and develop ideas using fabric to achieve a desired result. They also study the suitability and care of textiles for a specified purpose.
Graphics
Graphics is the communication of ideas and information through the medium of drawing. Students are introduced to a range of drawing systems and drawing materials which enable them to communicate and present their ideas effectively.
Students undertake several design activities which build their knowledge of the design process and stimulate their creativity and awareness of the products we use and the built environment.
Hard Materials Technology
This is a workshop-based course that investigates the design process with modern and traditional materials.
Discovering The Past This course is designed to bring alive events from history. It looks at some of the great civilisations such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. It also explores the way people lived in the Middle Ages with a focus on the Black Death also known as the bubonic Plague.
FULL-YEAR OPTION SUBJECTS
Avonside offers a language from five of the large language families.
French
French represents the Romance languages and cultures of Europe. It is an international language spoken by people throughout the world. French has strongly influenced the development of English.
German
German represents the Germanic language and cultures of Europe. The English language is a member of this language family. German is a major language of increasing importance in the centre of the new united Europe.
Japanese
Japanese represents Asiatic language and cultures. The language is written in a combination of Chinese and Japanese symbols. There is increasing trade and cultural contact between New Zealand and Japan.
Latin
Latin offers the opportunity to study both the language and culture of the Romans on whose civilisation that of Western Europe is based.Their arts and architecture, laws and customs and legends still influence us. A knowledge of the Latin language helps to develop a greater understanding of English, and is a useful base for learning other languages.
Maori
This course enables students to study, use and enjoy Te Reo Maori (Maori language), and Tikanga Maori (culture), which are distinctive of the character of New Zealand life.
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