Middle Y7-10
A Taste of TAS – Middle School
Year 7 and 8 – The Intermediate Years
In Years 7 and 8 students transition from being primary school students to becoming young adults in secondary school. A strength of TAS as an Area School is that this transition happens all at one venue. Our intermediate students get the best of both worlds – the familiarity of the home room environment and the benefit at times of subject specialists in various fields. Students in the intermediate years will learn in a wide variety of curriculum areas: English, Maths, Science, PE, Health, Technologies – including digital technologies, Arts (including Music, Visual Art and Drama), and Languages (including Te Reo Maori).
The Independent Learning Programme (ILP) – In 2010 ERO identified the “independent learning approach operating in Year 7 and 8” as a strength of the school. The goal of the ILP is for students to have a greater level of independence with regard to learning than they might have without it. Therefore, there are elements of choice with regard to some aspects of some of the work done each week including the order in which it is undertaken, the level of collaboration with others, how and where answers are sourced, and even in the level of response made. Good efforts are rewarded by a system of “Licenses”, which come with extra responsibilty and benefits!
In addition to the strong classroom learning focus Year 7 and 8 students have the opportunity to experience many of the great activities of the wider school including the strong emphasis on EOTC. The annual Year 7 camp is held at beautiful Rawhiti and the Year 8s go on an exciting Auckland expedition.
Year 9
In Year 9 there is an eye on the future and also a focus on finding out your strengths and weaknesses and on setting and working towards learning goals.
In Year 9 at TAS students will experience and explore a wide range of subject options. English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education are compulsory for the whole year and students are taught by a specialist teacher for these subjects. They also experience a rotation of Technology, Arts and Languages over the course of the year including Digital Technology, Music, Drama, Design and Visual communication, Food and Hard Materials technology.
There is a focus on EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) and each whānau roopu (form class) has the opportunity to enjoy a Year 9 camp. They also take part in activities like cross country, sports events, choir, bands, swimming, athletics, country day, PB4L Values week and more.
Year 10
The academic focus in Year 10 is on students developing the necessary skills and prior knowledge for them to undertake the first level of NCEA in Year 11.
At Year 10, all TAS students continue learning a broad range of compulsory subjects – English, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Pathways, Health and Physical Education, alongside Technology, Arts and Languages rotations including Digital Technology, Music, Drama, Design and Visual communication, Food and Hard Materials technology.
Students choose option subjects in the second half of the year, where they can concentrate on two of their rotation subjects with a view to continuing with these subjects into NCEA. Students in Year 10 will be given opportunities to meet their prerequisite NCEA Numeracy and Literacy requirements.
TAS is more than a centre for academic learning. Through a wide range of experiences the whole person is developed. Year 10 students each year have the opportunity to attend a week long experience at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in National Park.
Students participate in a day of work shadowing in a work place of their choice to give them an insight into possible future careers during the end of year Cornerstone Values week.
Pastoral Care
The Intermediate Years 7 & 8 Syndicate Leader for 2023 is Mrs Clare Newman.
The Year 9 Dean for 2023 is Whaea Delilah Edmonds
The Year 10 Dean for 2023 is Mrs Natalie Hydes.
Pastoral care for the year group is a very important aspect of our school. Our deans are ably supported by whānau roopu (form and homeroom) teachers, the guidance counselor, and senior leaders in providing a stable environment for students. Being a PB4L school and having a clear focus on restorative justice means students learn about caring for themselves and each other and the environment at TAS. Concerns about bullying and other issues that affect life at school are dealt with promptly and effectively.
