Our vision is for all learners to be life-long, independent learners who belong, value learning and expect success. This is achieved through our values; Tuu Maia, Ahuatanga, Maatau and Whakapapa and our 10 Independent Leader Actions; Caring, Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity, Enterprising, Joy, Thinking, Resilience, Perseverance, Wisdom.
The Junior School
Learning in the Junior School (Year 9 and 10) is driven by our Alfriston College vision, values and Independent Learning Actions.
Learners participate in three types of learning in the Junior School; Nests, Pods and Flights.
Nests
All learners undertake full year literacy and numeracy classes during Year 9 and 10. These are Whaanau-based classes. In Nests the focus is on the development of functional reading, writing and numeracy strategies and skills in preparation for life and the NCEA co-requisites.
Flights
Flights are the home of all New Zealand Curriculum learning areas. Each term learners choose three Flights from different areas of the NZ Curriculum. Each Flight is one 90 minute lesson a week for a term. Most Flights are year level based. Some are a composite of Year 9 and 10 learners.
Pods
All NZ Curriculum areas are available in Pods. Each term learners choose two pods from different areas of the NZ Curriculum. Each Pod is three 90 minute lessons per week. Most Pods are year level based. Some are composite classes of Year 9 and 10 learners.
Whaanau Mentors will monitor learners’ choosing and their coverage of the NZ Curriculum.
Progress in Nests, Pods and Flights is formally assessed each term. Progress in Literacy and Numeracy is assessed using a combination of online PATs and school-based assessments. Achievement and progress are reported in our weekly Effort and Progress reports.
The Senior School
Learners in Year 11 work towards NCEA Level 1 which requires 60 credits at Level 1 or above, plus the 20 credit co-requisite of Numeracy and Literacy if this has not already been achieved in the Junior School.
The Year 11 school year is split into two semesters and most courses are for one semester, and can be taken either in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
Learners choose five courses in each semester, and at least one semester of Maths and one semester of English are compulsory. This ensures that every learner has the opportunity to achieve the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisite.
A small number of courses, mainly the language courses, are full year, and some subjects offer learners the opportunity to combine a Semester 1 class with a Semester 2 class in the same subject to create a full year option.
Each class offers two NCEA Level 1 assessments in each semester which means that learners have the opportunity to achieve up to around 100 credits during the year.
Learners are also entered for the two CAA opportunities each year until they achieve the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisite by one pathway or the other.
Learners in Year 12 work towards NCEA Level 2 which requires 60 credits at Level 2 or above.
Some learners may need to continue working towards the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisite if they have not achieved this previously. This can be done through school-based assessments or the CAAs.
In Year 12 Learners choose five courses which are all full year options. Each course usually offers 14-18 credits through a mixture of internal and external achievement standard assessments.
Learners may also choose a Pathway course which entails studying offsite with one of our tertiary partners for one day each week. Pathway course learning is usually trades-based and offers around 20 credits through unit standard assessments.
Learners in Year 12 are guided towards achieving University Entrance Literacy through their school-based learning whenever possible.
Learners in Year 13 work towards NCEA Level 3 which requires 60 credits at Level 3 or above.
There are the same opportunities as in Year 12 for learners to complete the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisite if this is still needed.
Learners choose five courses which are usually the same five that were taken at Level 2. Each course usually offers 14-18 credits through a mixture of internal and external achievement standard assessments.
Learners may also continue with their Pathway course in Year 13 but for two days each week. This can contribute 30 or more unit standard credits to learners’ achievement.
Learners in Year 13 are guided towards completing University Entrance Literacy and achieving the full University Entrance qualification through their school-based learning.
