curriculum course structure

Dargaville High School is involved with the Te Kotahitanga initiative.  Te Kotahitanga is a collaborative response amongst teachers, facilitators and staff at Waikato University to the problem of under achievement of Maori students in mainstream schools. Dargaville High School is among 21 schools involved in the project's fourth phase.

All staff are involved in a 3 day Hui before becoming involved in the programme which involves four observations per year, resulting in teachers setting goals for student-teacher relationships, classroom management and culturally responsive content and contexts.

Refer to www.tki.org.nz/r/maori_mainstream/tekotah_e.php

The Starpath Project - Partnership for Excellence

Starpath is a Partnership for Excellence led by The University of Auckland in partnership with the New Zealand Government. It aims to address New Zealand's comparatively high rate of educational inequality with Maori and Pacific Island students, and students from low socio-economic backgrounds showing significant rates of educational under-achievement compared with their peers.

Refer to www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/research/starpath-home

Curriculum always involves choosing from alternatives and at Dargaville High School we have a number of subjects to choose from. In New Zealand, the national curriculum, devised by the New Zealand government, sets the direction for learning. Dargaville High School works with the New Zealand Curriculum and ensures that the school's flexibility to develop teaching and learning programs meets the diverse needs of our particular learners. Students need an up-to-date curriculum that reflects not only the knowledge needed for the future, but also the best teaching strategies and learning theories.

The school aims to give every student as broad an education as possible within the National Framework. We would encourage parents and caregivers to take an active role in assisting their child in making suitable subject choices. Making the correct choice is important when considering career opportunities and requirements and further study. The school has the staff and guidance systems to help each student make an informed decision.

During the year various exhibitors visit the school to explain the opportunities and requirements for a variety of tertiary courses and work situations. The Careers department ensures that every student has the opportunity to explore different career options during the Year 10 teaching programme. We understand how vital it is for our students to select the right courses that will provide them with a worthwhile future.

The Junior School curriculum is broad and aimed at providing exposure to many different learning opportunities. There is a compulsory course based on the essential learning areas in the National Curriculum document. This means all students will take English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Social Studies and Science. These subjects will be taken for the full year.

Year 9 students will also be offered a range of other subjects as options. These include: Visual Arts, Health, Nutrition, Te Reo Maori, Maori Studies, Graphics, Japanese, Music, Technology, Drama and ICT. This will lead on to Year 10 where students can choose three subjects to continue their study on towards NCEA Level 1.

All incoming Year 9 students will be tested. According to their results in these tests and in consultation with their Year 8 teachers, students will be streamed into three bands. Students who need special assistance will either come out of the normal core subjects and undertake special programmes or have teacher/teacher aid assistance in their normal classes.

Starting School
All students starting the school will receive information about the different subjects the school offers in both its core and option subjects. There is an Enrolment Information Evening for all intending students. This is for parents, caregivers and future Year 9 students. This evening is to help students and their families start to make those informed decisions.

During term 4 students from the contributing primary and intermediate school will have the opportunity to visit the school during the day. Parents and caregivers are invited to discuss their child's enrolment at the school at a personal interview, which can take place at the contributing school or at the High School.

Subject Information PDF »     Ministry of Education NZ Curriculum Guide PDF »

Some subjects are offered as options in Year 10 in addition to a core programme based on English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology and Physical Education. These include ICT (Information Management Technology), Design and Technology, Graphics, Workshop (pre-trades) Materials Technology, Food Technology, Creative Textiles, Visual Art, Drama, Music, Nga Toi, Te Reo Maori, Japanese, Humanities.

Year 10 students are expected to take three option subjects. There are a few things we ask students to think about when making a decision...

• Do you enjoy the subject?
• Is it going to be important that you do this subject?
• Will you need to do this subject in Year 10 to carry on with it in Year 11?

It is also important that Year 10 make options as wide as possible to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills. Deans, Form Teachers and subject teachers can offer advice ensuring that Year 10 study a broad curriculum.

Student Homework Diaries
All students are expected to have homework diaries. Teachers check weekly for parent / caregiver signatures and for homework entries. Deans makes regular random checks of classes to ensure students have been keeping their homework diaries up to date. All students are expected to have a homework diary (provided free from the office at the start of the year). All students are aware that diaries must be taken to every class.

Homework is expected to be given to students and checked for completion by teachers and parents. Diaries are a useful tool for communicating with parents. Notes can be written in the diary by the teacher, which is taken home by the student, signed by the parent and returned the next day. They can be used to show parents the teachers' attempt to signpost issues they may not be aware of. Serious issues are undertaken more formally by telephone or at an organised meeting.

Subject Information PDF »     Ministry of Education NZ Curriculum Guide PDF »

Every year Dargaville High School has an Options Evening where pupils and parents or caregivers are invited to talk to teachers concerning courses, entry levels and future career paths. The programme of study in year 11 is NCEA Level 1 (National Certificate of Educational Achievement). NCEA Level 1 Certificate requirements:

• Usually achieved by Year 11 students.
• Students must achieve 80 credits.
• Of these 80 credits, 8 must be in literacy standards and 8 in numeracy standards.
• Students can gain their 80 credits in one year, or over two or more years.
• Credits may be gained from achievement standards or unit standards.

The NCEA will not count credits twice for the same learning outcome. Where a unit standard and an achievement standard assess substantially the same learning outcome they are considered mutually exclusive for this qualification. For further information, students and parents/caregivers should visit the NZQA website and access the qualifications page.  This website provides useful leaflets explaining NCEA for both parents and students. The Senior School programme is focused on preparing students for qualifications that will take them beyond school. Entry into Year 11 is subject to a satisfactory Year 10 record. This includes:

• Excellence attendance (80% attendance)
• Gaining at least 30% in the end-of-year examinations.

Students who fail these entry requirements may be required to repeat the Pre NCEA Courses. In general, students may choose any course, as long as they have gained the entry requirements, and have sought advice from their Year Level Dean.

Subject Information PDF »     Ministry of Education NZ Curriculum Guide PDF »

Students are able to choose from a diversity of subjects ranging from Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, technical and vocational. Students can select courses from Year 11, 12 and 13 for study in one particular year, and tailor the course to suit their needs.

In Year 12 students predominately study NCEA Level 2 and at Year 13 students predominately study NCEA Level 3. Dargaville High School requires students to study Level 2 English enabling them to gain the English requirements for University entrance.

For an NCEA Level 2 Certificate, Students must achieve 80 Credits. Students will need to gain 60 credits from the Level 2 standards whilst the remaining 20 credits can be from either Level 1 or Level 2. To gain this qualification students must have already gained the Level 1 numeracy and literacy credits.

For an NCEA Level 3 Certificate students must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 3 standards. The remaining 20 credits can be from either Level 1, 2 or 3.

Adult students are welcome and are admitted after an interview with the Principal. Adults are able to study at various levels and subjects for their second chance at education to obtain qualifications for a career change. Adult students offer another dimension to the community concept of the school and offer role models to younger students in the school.

For information on NCEA and required qualifications visit the NZQA website:

NZQA website »       NCEA Qualifications website»       Subject Information PDF »