All available subjects are listed in the chart in the middle pages of the prospectus. The School’s broad curriculum aims are as follows: Years 9 & 10
To consolidate the core subjects – English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education
To give all Year 9 students a ‘taste’ of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 – 15 (senior course book attached)
To consolidate literacy, numeracy and science skills to year 11 students.
To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 – 3
To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1, 2 or 3. A mix of internal and external assessment is used, depending on the subjects each pupil chooses.
Special Programmes Some pupils require extra assistance with "the basics". Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning. Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them. For those with special needs, teachers develop individual programmes and, in some cases, provide individual tuition, especially in Reading. All Departments plan differentiated learning activities to cater for multiple intelligences and learning styles and in senior classes multi level learning creates individualised pathways for students.
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning. For junior pupils, homework can be an extension of class work, a time to finish exercises begun in class, a time for project or assignment work, or to learn work covered during school hours. It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career. The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set. Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study, as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class. Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year, as regular, organised study is necessary for examination preparation.
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1½ hours per day on homework. Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from two to three hours per day on homework. It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parents/caregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem.
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parents/caregivers to check on the progress of their children. All year groups will receive a preliminary report after approximately two months of the year and full reports at half year and end of year.
Distance Education For pupils in Years 10, 11 and above who have specialised study preferences (in subjects not available at school), courses are available by distance, either by correspondence or video-conferencing through our partnership with WESTNET. An extended range of senior academic subjects are available through distance education, as well as a range of vocational subjects which includes Childcare, Retailing, Tourism, Work and Employment Skills, Construction, Agriculture, Landscaping and Automotive.
A high degree of self-motivation is required to study distance courses, as they are tertiary level programmes. Unit Standards, which lead to industry qualifications, can be gained in these courses. Generally, one of the above subjects would take the place of one subject in a line on the pupil’s timetable.
