Timetable and Requirements

Timetable

Our school operates on a two-week timetable, from Day 1 to Day 10. Each subject has a total of 7.5 hours of class time over this 10-day period. On top of subject time, Ako time is for 1 hour every Monday and Friday.

An important part of the WHS timetable is our Kaiārahi (learning advisor) model. Kaiārahi connect with students and their families from the day they enter the WHS community, regularily meeting with students -during Ako time as part of their Ako Group. Kaiārahi support students to set aspirational goals, and help track, monitor and mentor students with their learning, progress and achievement.

Requirements

The key philosophies behind Wakatipu High School’s junior student timetable are student choice, a broad education, and a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. Student choice is a key driver as it supports greater engagement and achievement for students. We also believe that it is very important for junior students to experience the full breadth of the NZ Curriculum and its eight Learning Areas, while also having the opportunity to choose subjects that allow them to explore their passions. While the timetable moves away from the traditional ‘core and option’ subjects model, we believe that literacy and numeracy are essential to access the full breadth of the curriculum. As students move to the senior school, they become more specialised in their chosen subjects and pathway. In addition, the timetable supports students to be able to multi-level study if that is appropriate for their learning.

Senior Course Requirements

Students in the Senior school (Years 11–13) select six options which they will have for the entire year. 

• In Year 11, it is expected that all students take English Mathematics and Science. Students will then select three additional options.
• In Year 12 it is highly recommended that students take English. Students will then select five more options.
•  In Year 13 students select six options, one of which may be Senior Independent Learning (SIL) or study.

Junior Course Requirements

Junior students (Years 9 and 10) select twelve options per year - with six options running in Semester 1 (Terms 1 & 2) and six in Semester 2 (Terms 3 & 4).

Year 9 students take a full-year of English, Mathematics and Social Sciences, and must also take a minimum of a semester from each of the five other Learning Areas; Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages, Science, and Technology. After that, Year 9 students have one more semester option; which they can choose from any of the Learning Areas.

Students in Year 10 must take a full year of English, Mathematics and Science and a minimum of a half-year (semester) of Health & Physical Education and Social Science. They then select four more half-year options from the vast range of options that are available. Unless students have a clear career path, they should ensure they have completed a minimum of two* from each Learning Area by the end of Year 10.