Junior Curriculum
Years 9 and 10. Our broad-based junior curriculum offers learning experiences
whereby students will have a solid foundation for future years. We aim to help each student work hard to become competent in managing themselves, relating well to others, to participating and contributing and to developing critical thinking skills. We promote a can-do attitude amongst our students to enable them to meet this personal goal of attainment. We educate students in eight essential areas; Science, Social Sciences, Technology, Arts, Physical Education and Health, English, Mathematics and Learning Languages.
Senior Curriculum
Year 11, 12 and 13. We offer individual personalised learning opportunities, a wide range of subjects, a range of pathways for students to achieve success and a solid foundation which prepares students effectively for Tertiary Education and the world of work. The New Zealand Curriculum allows for an increasing level of specialisation as students enter their senior school years.
Maori Programmes
Nau ami, haere mai. All students with an interest in learning about and expressing aspects of Maori culture
can do so in the following areas. Te Reo Maori: learning Maori language, Level 1, 2 and 3. Maori
Performing Arts: level 2 and 3. Learning knowledge and skills in Waiata, Waiata-a-ringa, Haka, Poi and
Whakaraka. Kapahaka: a performance group for students at any level. Maori knowledge is valued and
taught in curriculum areas.
Te Kotahitanga
Fairfield College is one of only 54 New Zealand secondary schools involved in the Te Kotahitanga programme. This is an exciting programme which is improving the learning experiences of the students involved. The focus of Te Kotahitanga is “To raise the achievement of Maori students”. While the focus is on improving Maori student achievement, research shows that in Te Kotahitanga schools where this has improved, the achievement of non-Maori students has also improved. Te Kotahitanga works by supporting teachers to be as effective as they can be. This includes engaging their students in meaningful learning experiences; building effective learning relationships; employing strategies and contexts that are student centred and relevant. The programme initially focuses on Year 9 and 10 teachers and their students, with the long term view of improving achievement
outcomes for these students in the senior school. As it is part of a long term research project, the facilitation team have ongoing training and support from the Te Kotahitanga research team at the University of Waikato.