Gisborne Intermediate School Curriculum

The curriculum at Gisborne Intermediate is designed to educate the whole student and cater for the intellectual, social, physical and creative aspects of emerging adolescents. The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum which includes: Language and Languages, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Studies, The Arts, Health and Physical education, Key Competencies, Values and Attitudes. With the exception of The Arts and Technology all curriculum is taught by a home room teacher.

EDUCATION TEAM ORGANISATION:

Gisborne Intermediate is divided into clusters of classes, including both year 7 and year 8 classes, each with its own leader. These clusters (teams) enable students to identify with a smaller school within a school.Team leaders monitor programmes to guarantee programmes are tailored to meet individual needs.

CLASSES:

These are single levelled with only one year group in each room. Classes are selected to match students with teachers and achieve a balance of abilities, work habits, gender and contributing school in each room. Students complete the basic study of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Health and Physical Education with their class Teacher. Music, Art and Technology programmes are further developed through specialisation.

Matching the needs and style of a learner to a teacher and learning environment are very important at this stage. Some students require more traditional classroom settings and teaching, while others respond to different types of interaction, more collaborative with greater independence and increased personal responsibility. We provide for both and parents have the opportunity to state a preference.

DIGITALLY ENHANCED CLASSROOMS:

A 2007 initiative was the establishment of two Digitally Enhanced classrooms. Another two were created in 2008 with a further two more coming in 2009. These offer children, who have an interest in learning through the integration of the most recent technology, a classroom environment that explores ways to use the technology as a learning support tool.

ICT:

An Information Technology Suite has been developed to ensure that all our students have quality learning opportunities with communication technology. Classrooms visit the suite on a regular basis as part of their classroom rogramme. All classrooms have at least 6 networked computers. All rooms have access to the internet and a variety of education programmes.

FOCUSED FRIDAYS:

To ensure uninterrupted access to core curriculum subjects, Monday to Thursday, we have developed a unique Friday Cultural, Music and P.E. programme. The weekly Cultural, Music and Sporting programme offers all students opportunities to learn a musical instrument, a new language, extra Science lessons, additional I.C.T. skills, new sports; and to participate in a number of other challenging options. To allow this extension and enrichment the special programmes take precedence over all normal programming for the day.

SPECIALISATION PROGRAMMES:

Our specialisation programmes include Art, Music, Dance & Drama, Foodtech and Hard Materials (Industritech). The technology programmes offer pupils access to the latest technology while retaining essential elements of our traditional programmes. The basis for the learning in these classes is the technology curriculum with the common elements being problem solving and essential life skills. All pupils will work in each of the specialist areas during the year, with additional opportunities for extension and enrichment for those with special talents or interests.

TIKANGA MAORI:

Teachers in each team are responsible for promoting Tikanga in classrooms. Tutors are employed on Fridays to work with all students interested in Te Reo or gaining greater appreciation of other Maori culture. The Kapa Haka group practise at this time.

LANGUAGES:

All pupils are provided with the opportunity to learn another language. This includes Te Reo, Afrikaans and Spanish, other languages are dependant on availability of tutors and teacher strengths.

MUSIC:

Instrumental tuition is available to pupils during our Friday programme. Experienced tutors teach a wide variety of instruments. These include violin, guitar, keyboard, flute, clarinet and percussion. The school does not supply instruments, but these may be hired through several musical outlets. Although subsidised by the school a fee per term is expected before undertaking lessons. Pupils also have the opportunity to participate in: orchestra, mass singing, schools choirs and vocal groups, bands, choral singing and school productions.

EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM:

All pupils have the opportunity to participate in Outdoor Education programmes, which will provide unique opportunities to learn outdoor skills and attitudes that can not be covered in the daily classroom programme. These ventures are dependant on parental support. Team camps are held early in Term one based at locations such as Anaura Bay and Mahia. This experience takes advantage of our local resources while providing an early opportunity for all parents to get involved in the school and their child's learning.

ACTION WEEK:

During the last week of term 3 all children are able to apply to participate in activities based in Gisborne or further afield to places like Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua and Taupo. A group takes part in Mountain Biking in Rotorua and another skiing/snowboarding on Mount Ruapehu. An opportunity is available to a group to travel overseas to one of the islands. This years group is going to Vanuatu. The emphasis is to go to places not visited before and to try activites not attempted before. You can view photos from some of last years trips in our photo gallery.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES:

There are many leisure pursuits that most children may not experience if not offered at the school. All additional pastimes, art and craft are heavily dependant upon community support. Information regarding some of these can be found under Tech Arts.