Become the expert you need to be
We describe the subjects as “Specialist” subjects because this is the time in the week when the students are taught explicitly the skills, knowledge and dispositions required to function fully in the specialist discipline areas. e.g. How do you investigate as a Mathematician or an artist? How do you become a scientist? We wanted the learning times to be long enough so that deep learning can happen, each subject has 2 x 100 minutes per week. We want the students to choose their specialist subjects wisely and to expect success in those subjects, hence the support from the tutorial teachers where they can work on completing work and improving grades.
We want all students to feel valued as learners and we expect teachers to create an environment where students at all stages of their learning can be together in the same class and can learn effectively. We do not stream students because, although that may work for the teachers, we believe that the unintended consequence for the students is that either they have a false sense of entitlement or they have a strong message that they are ‘dumb’ which is directly against our philosophy.
Students study five subjects only and we place emphasis on the gaining of quality credits rather than gaining large numbers of credits. To support the culture of quality credits we hold celebrations of excellence; Excellence Breakfasts, Excellence Evening, inviting the families in to acknowledge and celebrate their students’ success.
You’ll learn more than you ever imagined.
What it looks like
- Students choose 5 subjects.
- Students study at NCEA levels appropriate to them.
- 2 × 100 minutes for each subject.
- Goal – Quality credits.
- No prerequisites. (Teachers expected to differentiate)
- No streaming. (Teachers expected to differentiate)
At Albany Senior High School the fact that ‘there are no prerequisites’ means that students are not required to have done a subject the year before to undertake it the following year.
This means that as a student moves through their NCEA journey at Albany Senior there is, for example, potential for a student who may not have completed study in Science at Level 1 to choose to study a Science subject at Level 2 and so on.
It doesn’t mean that students can skip straight to Level 2 or Level 3 subjects based on self selection.
It is possible for a student to complete a multilevel programme, however this will be determined in consultation with a Deputy Principal through an interview or once studies have commenced, a discussion can be had with the Tutor, Classroom Teacher and Subject Leader.
Course Information Handbook
To learn more about the courses offered at ASHS, visit our 2025 Course Handbook.
There will be an opportunity to discuss subjects with the specialist subject teachers at the 2024 Open Evening on Thursday 1st August 2024.
For information about requirements for each level and course exclusions – see the section ‘Supporting your Choices’.
For information about the structure and working of NCEA – see the section ‘Understanding NCEA’.
For information about the opportunities beyond school – see the section ‘Considering your future’.
