Arts

The arts are powerful forms of expression that recognise, value, and contribute to the unique bicultural and multicultural character of Aotearoa New Zealand, enriching the lives of all New Zealanders. The arts have their own distinct languages that use both verbal and non-verbal conventions, mediated by selected processes and technologies. Through movement, sound, and image, the arts transform people's creative ideas into expressive works that communicate layered meanings.

Head of Faculty

Mr Aaron Wright

Commerce

The Commerce faculty at Tauranga Boys' College aims to deliver teaching and learning programmes that offer authentic learning experiences, which enable all students to meet their full potential. Our focus is to develop the commercial capabilities (skills and knowledge) of our students, to enable them to make informed and rational decisions, in order for them to participate effectively in the rapidly changing world they live in.

Head of Faculty

Mr C Hays

English

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 ourselves.

Understanding and creating oral, written, and visual texts of increasing complexity, is at the heart of English teaching and learning.

Students will engage with text-based activities to become increasingly sophisticated speakers and listeners, writers and readers, presenters and viewers.

Head of Faculty

Ms K Larsen

Humanities

Classical Studies ✻ Geography ✻ History ✻ Pacific Studies ✻ Philosophy ✻ Psychology ✻ Social Studies

The Humanities learning area is about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. Contexts are drawn from the past, present, and future and from places within and beyond New Zealand.

Head of Faculty

Mr P Adams

Languages

Learning a new language provides a means of communicating with people from another culture and exploring one's own personal world. Languages are inseparably linked to the social and cultural contexts in which they are used. Languages and cultures play a key role in developing our personal, group, national, and human identities. 

Every language has its own ways of expressing meanings; each has intrinsic value and special significance for its users. This learning area provides the framework for the teaching and learning of languages that are additional to the language of instruction. 

Level 1 of the curriculum is the entry-level for students with no prior knowledge of the language being learned, regardless of their school year.

Head of Faculty

Mrs C Leishman

Mathematics

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.

Head of Faculty

Mr D Galvan

Other

These are subjects and classes that sit outside traditional curriculum areas

• Gateway
• Secondary Tertiary Programme
• Academic Study
• Online University

For more information contact Mr Marshall 

Physical Education

In physical education and health , the focus is on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people, and of society through learning in movement and health-related 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.

Head of Faculty

Mr Steven Kelly

Footnotes: In health and physical education, the use of the word hauora is based on Mason Durie's Te Whare Tapa Wha model (Durie, 1994). Hauora and well-being, though not synonyms, share much common ground. Taha wairua relates to spiritual well-being; taha hinengaro to mental and emotional well-being; taha tinana to physical well-being; and taha whānau to social well-being.

Science

Learning in Science is fundamental to understanding the world we live in, it is a great way to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills while engaging them in activities. Students have the opportunity to clarify their ideas, share and compare, question, evaluate, and modify their ideas, leading to scientific understanding. 

In Science, students have opportunities to develop their ideas and skills, first in a variety of familiar contexts in junior school and later in more challenging situations as they progress into senior subjects.  The curriculum is articulated to allow development through the areas of Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science.

Different cultures and periods of history have contributed to the development of scientific knowledge. Science education at TBC acknowledges Mātauranga Māori and values the use of Te Reo Māori, this affirms students' identity and creates a positive learning environment for all students in the classroom.

Head of Faculty

Mr R Ward

Technology

Product Technology is intervention by design: the use of material and human resources to develop quality products that expand human possibilities. Creativity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. 

Students make enterprising use of traditional workshop knowledge and skills, together with the latest CAD, CNC and 3D Printing technologies to enhance our product development process.

Head of Faculty

Mr G Osmond

All students are required to take the following core subjects: English Social Studies, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, Science.

Mainstream Classes

All Year 9 students are placed into mainstream mixed ability core classes for their compulsory subjects of English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Health, and Physical Education. 

The exceptions to these core classes are the Accelerate classes (2) Inquiry Learning classes (2) Aronui Class (1 at each year level) and Learning Support classes (2-3). Information on these programmes is below.

Accelerate Programme

The Tauranga Boys’ College Accelerate Programme provides an academic platform from which students can advance their learning in key subjects faster than others. Selection and continuing involvement is dependent on academic success. Selection takes into consideration the Entrance test, Year 8 achievement and Year 8 teacher recommendation. The final selection is made by the Year 9 Academic and Accelerate Tutors. Students need to display the characteristics considered fundamental to success in an accelerated environment, including motivation, determination, initiative and time management. Students in the Accelerate Programme are encouraged to take Philosophy as one of their options.

Inquiry Learning

Inquiry Learning classes have two teachers, instead of four, to cover the core curriculum areas of English, Maths, Science and Social Studies. The class has a student-centered, project-based approach for students to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity and problem-solving.

Aronui 

Te Whānau-a-Aronui is a supportive learning environment embracing Te Reo Māori, Tikanga Māori and the college’s ethos and principles in striving for excellence.  All students in Aronui will be required to study Te Reo Māori, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Health and Physical Education. Boys are also encouraged to select Māori Performing Arts and Whakairo (Māori carving) as option subjects. Aronui students will have four option subjects. Anyone can apply to enrol in Aronui, however, it should be noted that acceptance is a privilege. There are high expectations relating to te reo and tikanga Māori, learning attitude, effort, achievement, attendance, behaviour, commitment and whānau support

Learning Needs and Learning Support classes have a curriculum tailored to meet their needs, along with remedial tuition and one-to-one tutoring in reading and other special programmes.

Year 10 students are required to take the following core subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Health and Physical Education

plus four 1/2 year options. Select one from Technology and one from The Arts first. Then select two others from anywhere plus a backup.

Accelerate: 

• IGCSE English Language 
• IGCSE Mathematics 
• IGCSE Combined Science
• IGCSE Physical Education 
• IGCSE History or IGCSE Geography 

Plus 4 options - ie One from Technology, one from The Arts, and two others

TE PUNGA - YEAR 11 CERTIFICATE 

English, Mathematics and at least one Science are compulsory

• Based on your achievements up to the end of the year, you will be placed into an English course and a Mathematics course most suited to your ability.
• You must choose at least one Science* from Science (11SCI), Chemistry and Physics (11CPH), Biology (11BIO), Agriculture & Horticulture (11AGH). 

* You cannot choose both Science and Chemistry and Physics. Once you have selected your Science, you can choose 11STEM as an additional option. 

All Year 11 students will study six subjects

• English (Cambridge International IGCSE)
• Mathematics (Cambridge International IGCSE)
• a Science 
• Plus three options (Aronui students must take Te Reo Māori)

When selecting your options, you must choose a Science first.

You must choose at least one Science* from Science, Chemistry and Physics, Biology, Agriculture & Horticulture.

* You cannot choose both Science and Chemistry and Physics. Once you have selected your Science, you can choose 11STEM as an additional option. 

Please Note:

Problems arise each year where students select inappropriate options and find after a month or so that they cannot cope. Please ensure that your choice of options is matched to your ability to achieve in that subject – ask your teachers if you are in doubt!

Need additional help?

Find out more about Te Punga - Year 11 Certificate

Check-in with one of these contacts

English and Mathematics are recommended but are not compulsory.

Year 12 students study Level 2 in subjects they meet the prerequisites. Students need to be aware that moving up a level of study is not automatic. Prerequisites must be met to guarantee automatic entry. You will need HOD approval if you did not take a pathway course in Year 11 or gain the required entry grade.

Mainstream

• Study six options

Aronui 

• Study Te Reo Māori, plus five options 

Secondary Tertiary programme (STP2)

This course is designed for boys wishing to enter a vocational pathway at the end of their Year 12 school year.

It aims to give them the skills and confidence to transition from Year 12 into further tertiary study (predominantly a one-year pre-trades level 3 course), gain an apprenticeship, or gain full-time employment.

Students will be given the privilege and responsibility of spending one day per week at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology to provide them with additional skills within their chosen area of study. 

Select STP2

Gateway (GTW2)

The Gateway programme is designed to strengthen the pathway for senior students to progress from school to the workplace or tertiary study. It provides students with structured workplace learning across various industries and businesses while they continue to study at school.

Students are given the opportunity to test-drive their career choices while gaining real and valuable experience. Gateway gives the students confidence to transition smoothly from school to work or further study. The Gateway programme requires that students complete a minimum of 20 industry-based credits.

Select GTW2

Please Note:

Problems arise each year where students select inappropriate options and find after a month or so that they cannot cope. Please ensure that your choice of options matches your ability to achieve in that subject – ask your teachers if you are in doubt!

Need additional help?

Check-in with one of these contacts

All Year 13 students select six subjects, or five plus study or semester options (S1) (S2).

It is crucial that you give serious thought to your academic aims and select courses to suit. Involve your parents, tutor and teachers in your choice.

You can only study at NCEA Level 3 in a subject if you meet the ENTRY requirements. If you did not take a pathway course at Level 2, or achieved fewer than 14 credits in that course, you will need Head of Department approval. Otherwise, you should consider studying at Level 2 again.

University Entrance

Different universities and tertiary institutions may have different entrance requirements, and within a university, different degree programmes may also have different entrance requirements. It is always advisable to contact the particular tertiary provider for confirmation.

• University Entrance (U.E.) is the minimum required by most tertiary institutions for degree entrance-level courses:
• U.E is gained by a combination of:
  • Level 3 NCEA plus
  • U.E. Literacy plus
  • L1 Numeracy plus
  • At least 14 credits in three approved L3 subjects.
• Students must see the Careers Advisor if they are in any doubt regarding the entrance requirements for particular University courses.

Academic Study

Academic Study is supervised study for Year 13 and Accelerate students only. You must have good attendance, a white shirt, and be enrolled in at least three subjects with external exams.
NB If you select Academic Study - Full Year, you cannot also choose Academic Study - Semester

Online University

Open to year 12 and 13 secondary school students who:

• are over 16 years old at the start of the paper,
• have New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency,
• have NCEA Level 2 or above endorsed with merit or excellence, and
• have approval from Academic Tutor or Deputy Principal (Senior School)

Need additional help?

Check in with one of these contacts