Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.
Arts education explores, challenges, affirms, and celebrates unique artistic expressions of self, community, and culture. Learning in, through, and about the arts stimulates creative action and response by engaging and connecting thinking, imagination, senses, and feelings. In the arts, students learn to work both independently and collaboratively to construct meanings, produce works, and respond to and value others’ contributions. They learn to use imagination to engage with unexpected outcomes and to explore multiple solutions.
Arts - Visual
Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.
Arts education explores, challenges, affirms, and celebrates unique artistic expressions of self, community, and culture. Learning in, through, and about the arts stimulates creative action and response by engaging and connecting thinking, imagination, senses, and feelings. In the arts, students learn to work both independently and collaboratively to construct meanings, produce works, and respond to and value others’ contributions. They learn to use imagination to engage with unexpected outcomes and to explore multiple solutions.
English
What is English about?
Ko te reo te tuakiri Ko te reo tōku ahurei Ko te reo te ora.
English is the study, use, and enjoyment of the English language and its literature, communicated orally, visually, and in writing, for a range of purposes and audiences and in a variety of text forms. Learning English encompasses learning the language, learning through the language, and learning about the language.
Understanding, using, and creating oral, written, and visual texts of increasing complexity is at the heart of English teaching and learning. By engaging with text-based activities, students become increasingly skilled and sophisticated speakers and listeners, writers and readers, presenters and viewers.
Health & Physical Education
What is health and physical education about?
He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora.
In health and physical education, the focus is on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people, and of society through learning in health-related and movement contexts.
Four underlying and interdependent concepts are at the heart of this learning area:
Hauora – a Māori philosophy of well-being that includes the dimensions taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana, and taha whānau, each one influencing and supporting the others.
Attitudes and values – a positive, responsible attitude on the part of students to their own well-being; respect, care, and concern for other people and the environment; and a sense of social justice.
The socio-ecological perspective – a way of viewing and understanding the interrelationships that exist between the individual, others, and society.
Health promotion – a process that helps to develop and maintain supportive physical and emotional environments and that involves students in personal and collective action.
Languages
The study of languages fosters a tolerance of others and the chance to learn about other cultures. Languages also encourage students to develop resilience and curiosity, and develop communication and collaboration skills. At Rolleston College we offer French, Japanese, Spanish and Te Reo Māori. All languages are available from year 9 through to year 13. In year 9 and 10 students learn languages through authentic cultural contexts such as art, cuisine, coding, Kapa Haka, geography, travel and sport. Each senior language course offers travel opportunities and the chance to connect with other language speakers.
Mathematics
What is mathematics and statistics about?
Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua.
Mathematics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in quantities, space, and time. Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data. These two disciplines are related but have different ways of thinking and solving problems. Both equip students with effective means for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world in which they live.
Mathematicians and statisticians use symbols, graphs, and diagrams to help them find and communicate patterns and relationships, and they create models to represent both real-life and hypothetical situations. These situations are drawn from a wide range of social, cultural, scientific, technological, health, environmental, and economic contexts. It is through mathematics we help make great citizens. It is the front end of the curriculum that is actually most important and as Math teachers we develop all this in the context of mathematics and statistics.
Science
What is science about?
Mā te whakaaro nui e hanga te whare; mā te mātauranga e whakaū.
Science is a way of investigating, understanding, and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe. It involves generating and testing ideas, gathering evidence – including by making observations, carrying out investigations and modelling, and communicating and debating with others – in order to develop scientific knowledge, understanding, and explanations. Scientific progress comes from logical, systematic work and from creative insight, built on a foundation of respect for evidence. Different cultures and periods of history have contributed to the development of science.
Social Science
Te ao tangata | Social Sciences encourage ākonga to observe, to wonder and be curious about people, places, and society, and to take an interest and engage in social issues and ideas.
Through te ao tangata | Social Sciences, ākonga develop understanding, knowledge, and skills in relation to social, cultural, economic, and political processes. This enables them to contribute to and participate in society as critically informed, ethical, and empathetic citizens with a concern for the wellbeing of communities and a commitment to a fair society for all.
At Rolleston College the subjects covered in Social Sciences are: Business, Classics, Geography, History, Legal Studies, Psychology, Pacific Studies, Social Studies and Tourism.
Technology
Technology is intervention by design. To intervene by design, students have to design, apply and evaluate so that they become designers of successful, fit for purpose outcomes.
Technology/Hangarau at Rolleston College follows the design process to use creativity and critical thinking to produce a feasible outcome. Problem solving, in-depth research and stakeholder feedback is a key factor in meeting the needs of people, the environment and cultures.
These factors are used in all aspects of Technology and are met here in:
Food Product Design
Fabric Product Design
Digital Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Automotive
Hospitality (Catering and Barista)
Design & Visual Communication (DVC)
Hard Materials Technology (Wood and Metal)
Technology/Hangarau offers pathways in Vocational, Trades and University careers, so learners in the Senior school can choose the program that best meets their needs as they look to their futures beyond school.
Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe; e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta. Don’t paddle out of unison; our canoe will never reach the shore.
Vocational Academy
Horoeka Haemata, Rolleston College Vocational Academy
Our Vocational Academy is for learners who are ready to start training towards their career choice. Vocational training is practical and hands-on, complemented by the key literacy and numeracy skills to support this training. Learners will take a combination of compulsory and ‘own choice’ subjects.
Level 1: This course focuses on the development of skills needed in the workplace through a teacher-guided programme. A variety of practical learning (this could be short courses, work experience or one day per week) and theory in the classroom form the basis of this course. It is a Unit Standard course and feeds into Level 2 Employment Skills and Gateway, as well as supporting transition from school to the workplace. Recommended Entry Criteria: Learners will be advised if this course suits their needs
Level 2: The Year 12 Vocational Academy is an alternative pathway for learners seeking a more direct transition to further training and employment. Learners will take a combination of compulsory, work experience/dual course (one day per week) and selected courses. Learners will work through a number of Unit Standards to gain Level 2. Recommended Entry Criteria: Learners will apply in consultation with Advisory/Ako Coach and Careers.
Level 3: Learners remaining for Level 3 will take one compulsory course and then selected courses. It is expected they will be engaged in work experience with support from the careers team and be further developing their vocational skills. Learners are expected to achieve a minimum of 60 Level 3 credits to gain NCEA Level 3. (note there is no dual course option at Level 3 from 2025).
For further information on Vocational Careers options click here
If you think the Vocational Academy might be a good option for your child, please complete this 'Expression of Interest' form - link.
Term 3 Senior Course Selection timeline for Year 10 - 12 learners returning to Rolleston College in 2025
All course information for 2025 courses can be found by clicking here:
Week 5 - Transforming Futures Week 19 - 22 August
- Career focus in classes
- Guest speakers and careers activities
- Learners can 'favourite' courses of interest on SchoolPoint
Monday 26th August - whanau evening 6 - 7.30pm around NCEA and course selection
A chance to come in and hear about the NCEA changes for 2024, careers advice and being able to speak with subject specific teachers about courses
Specific Year level hui will run at the following times:
Year 12s going into 13 - 5.30 - 6.15pm
Year 11s going into 12 - 6.30 - 7.15pm
Year 10s going into 11 - 7.30 - 8.15pm
Course selection will 'open' for learners to select the actual courses and back up options they want after the course selection evening.
Selections are NOT first in, first served. Learners and whānau should take time to carefully select the right courses for them in 2025. Minimal changes to courses will be permitted in the 2025 year.
Course selection will close on Friday 6th September. If you want to make any further changes past this date, you need to discuss with your Whānau Leader.
Term 3 Senior Course Selection timeline for Year 10 - 12 learners returning to Rolleston College in 2025
All course information for 2025 courses can be found by clicking here:
Week 5 - Transforming Futures Week 19 - 22 August
- Career focus in classes
- Guest speakers and careers activities
- Learners can 'favourite' courses of interest on SchoolPoint
Monday 26th August - whanau evening 6 - 7.30pm around NCEA and course selection
A chance to come in and hear about the NCEA changes for 2024, careers advice and being able to speak with subject specific teachers about courses
Specific Year level hui will run at the following times:
Year 12s going into 13 - 5.30 - 6.15pm
Year 11s going into 12 - 6.30 - 7.15pm
Year 10s going into 11 - 7.30 - 8.15pm
Course selection will 'open' for learners to select the actual courses and back up options they want after the course selection evening.
Selections are NOT first in, first served. Learners and whānau should take time to carefully select the right courses for them in 2025. Minimal changes to courses will be permitted in the 2025 year.
Course selection will close on Friday 6th September. If you want to make any further changes past this date, you need to discuss with your Whānau Leader.
Term 3 Senior Course Selection timeline for Year 10 - 12 learners returning to Rolleston College in 2025
All course information for 2025 courses can be found by clicking here:
Week 5 - Transforming Futures Week 19 - 22 August
- Career focus in classes
- Guest speakers and careers activities
- Learners can 'favourite' courses of interest on SchoolPoint
Monday 26th August - whanau evening 6 - 7.30pm around NCEA and course selection
A chance to come in and hear about the NCEA changes for 2024, careers advice and being able to speak with subject specific teachers about courses
Specific Year level hui will run at the following times:
Year 12s going into 13 - 5.30 - 6.15pm
Year 11s going into 12 - 6.30 - 7.15pm
Year 10s going into 11 - 7.30 - 8.15pm
Course selection will 'open' for learners to select the actual courses and back up options they want after the course selection evening.
Selections are NOT first in, first served. Learners and whānau should take time to carefully select the right courses for them in 2025. Minimal changes to courses will be permitted in the 2025 year.
Course selection will close on Friday 6th September. If you want to make any further changes past this date, you need to discuss with your Whānau Leader.
Rolleston College
