Te Akomanga Tuawaru

Class Eight

Progress and Power: Harnessing New Forces
Te Ahu Whakamua me te Mana Tangata: Kia Aumangea

During this important threshold year and transition to High School, students in Class Eight are looking for authentic explanations that have meaning for the world in which they live. The Class Eight experience builds self-sufficiency through students developing skills to address fears and anxieties associated with identity, community and personal challenge.

The curriculum provides opportunity for our students to enquire into the connection and relationships between people, culture and events. The study of industrialisation, technology and innovation is an important focus in Main Lessons. They are expected to further develop the capacity to reason and argue both sides of an issue in verbal and written form.

Students use their increasing capacity for observation and critical thinking in the pursuit of academic excellence. Goal setting, time management and organisation skills are further developed. Practical intelligence is progressed through the use of block lesson programmes in the arts, crafts and technology.

Overview of Main Lesson Programme

All Main Lessons are compulsory

Subject Lessons, Block Lessons & Other Projects/Events

All Lessons are compulsory

Te Akomanga Tuaiwa

Class Nine

Theme: Polarity and Contrast
Te Ātete me te Whakatairite

With adolescence, the inner soul forces of the young human being become active and with this there is a corresponding bodily change. It is a bewildering world when the adolescent is often at the mercy of strong, uncontrolled feelings and emotions which swing like a pendulum from one extreme to the other. This manifests differently in boys and girls, yet both mask their vulnerability. Boys may be uncouth and gawky, yet inwardly shy; girls may express their emotions more easily in volatile, temperamental behaviour. Both need careful handling, since that emotional world is both extremely sensitive and volatile, to enable this energy to be channeled into a healthy relationship with the outer world.

One approaches the adolescent of this age as much through the intellect as through the senses, presenting one’s material in as tactile a way as possible, yet always seeking to refine the senses through artistic activity, and challenging the student to think accurately and observe meticulously. The student of this age needs many physical challenges to counteract the emotional roller-coaster.

There is little scope for the finer nuances of feeling; everything is black or white, wonderful or abysmal, joyful or full of sorrow. It is truly a year of polarities and opposites, and the Main Lessons for the year reflect this theme. Class Nine students also complete an individual project that allows students to practice and refine skills in process journaling, reflection and action-planning.

Overview of Main Lesson Programme

All Main Lessons are compulsory

Subject Lessons

All Subjects are compulsory, including language

Te Akomanga Tuangahuru

Class Ten

Balance and Process
Te Hangarite me te Tukanga

As students progress through this year they develop an increased capacity for self-control and balance.

The curriculum provides opportunities for students to come to a deeper understanding of basic and underlying laws, structures and processes that relate to the place of human beings in the wider world. Students are encouraged to refine the expression of their opinions.

Although the curriculum is kept broad by the compulsory study of all subjects, including languages, frequent opportunities are provided within each subject area for students to select topics and learning tasks which enable them to explore their own particular skills and interests in more depth.

While students are developing deeper and more specialised thinking, they are also keeping their knowledge base wide; allowing for changes in learning direction.

Overview of Main Lesson Programme

All Main Lessons are compulsory

Subject Lessons

Apart from music, all other Subjects are compulsory. Students have the option of taking music as another subject for the year.

Students are working towards achieving NZCSE Level 1 (The New Zealand Certificate of Steiner Education – Level 1).

Te Akomanga Tuangahuru-mā-tahi

Class Eleven

Analysis and Identity
Te Wetewete me te Tuakiri

Class Eleven students engage their analytical and reasoning skills as they apply their capacity for greater objectivity and explore the world in increasing detail. This is reflected in their Main Lesson work, which examines topics such as atomic physics and comparative religion.

Students are increasingly able to understand themselves, both as an individual and in relationship with others, and more consciously work with their own strengths and weaknesses. They may begin to question their place in the world and have philosophical questions about the purpose of life. Main Lessons engage students through the exploration of themes of identity and analysis.

Students work with NCEA Level 2 elective subjects that reflect their particular interests and skills.

Overview of Main Lesson Programme

All Main Lessons are compulsory

NCEA Level 2 Subject Lessons

English is compulsory and students choose another 4 subjects from the list below to make up their course for the year.

Students are working towards achieving NCEA Level 2.

Te Akomanga Tuangahuru-mā-rua

Class Twelve

Synthesis and World Consciousness
Te Pāhekoheko o te Ihomatua

This year is the culmination of an education which seeks to produce individuals who will work out of a sound understanding of both themselves and the world.

The lessons in this year form a synthesis of the whole education over the course of the student’s school life. They focus on topics such as architecture, philosophy and world futures, with material that gives a broad overview and understanding of the world. Subject content focuses on the current world-view in each field.

The students stand firmly in the contemporary age, taking the best of the past into a future that is yet to unfold. It is here that one sees the fruits of a Steiner High School Education in young adults who stand courageously and with integrity as free individuals.

During the year, students undertake an Independent Project which includes research, practical, written and socio-ecological components. Students propose a topic for their study that is approved and supported by the teachers. This project develops skills that are useful in future study pathways, utilising time management, self-motivation and completion of a year-long endeavour. A successful Independent Project engages the student’s interest, works with their skills and abilities, challenges them to go further than they believe possible and opens doorways to future pathways.

Students also complete their school leaving qualifications which, for most students, is NCEA Level 3 in five or six subjects.

Overview of Main Lesson Programme

All Main Lessons are compulsory

NCEA Level 3 Subject Lessons

Students choose five subjects from the list below to make up their course for the year.

Students are working towards achieving NCEA Level 3.