Social Sciences
Head of Faculty: Mr Shane Turner
Phone: 543 2400
Email: sturner@aquinas.school.nz
Our students are supported by skilled, knowledgeable and passionate teachers.
Academic excellence is encouraged and supported with ongoing opportunity for all students for example extension maths, specialist languages, GATE along with competitions such as ICAS, SpellingBee and Baymaths
Students and parents have the added level of confidence that when they move into Year 9 at Aquinas College they will be familiar with the school, its routines and culture.
Overview
Reporting Timeline
National Standards
Key Links
Overview
English is the study, use and enjoyment of the English language and its literature. At Aquinas College students learn to understand and create written, visual and spoken texts and to communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of situations. Exploring oneself and society through literature expands students’ cultural empathy and interpersonal understanding. As well as providing students with essential skills and knowledge, English also encourages participation, fun, creativity and critical thinking.
At Aquinas College, learning languages encourages students to embrace the unity and diversity of local and international communities. In particular, we want students to develop awareness, appreciation, and acceptance of cultural diversity through language.
Te Reo Maori is an important part of language learning at Aquinas, because it is the ancestral language and an official language of our country. It is a taonga protected under the treaty of Waitangi.
French is recognized globally as being the second language of the United Nations and some of our closest neighbours are French- speaking countries, hence its importance.
Reporting Timeline
MEET the TEACHER – WEEK 2 TERM 1
A chance to meet your classroom teacher and go over expectations for the coming year.
A chance to meet your classroom teacher and go over expectations for the coming year.
ASSESSMENT MEETING – WEEK 11 TERM 1
A short assessment meeting where your child’s assessment results will be reviewed and goals for the year established.
WRITTEN REPORT – TERM 2
The first National Standards Report is issued in Week 9 of Term 2. Student portfolios at this stage of the year include key diagnostic testing documents, students work and some subject assessments.
STUDENT LED CONFERENCE – TERM 3
There is a Student Led Conference held at the beginning of Term 3 to discuss any issues from your child’s report.
WRITTEN REPORT – TERM 4
The second National Standards report is issued in Week 8 of Term 4. This report covers the entire year of work for your child with information from diagnostic testing, subject tests and classroom work.
National Standards
National Standards came into effect in New Zealand schools with pupils in Years 1 to 8 in 2010. The standards set clear expectations that students need to meet in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics during their first eight years at school.
At Aquinas College students are judged against the National Standards at the end of Terms 2 and 4 in both Year 7 and Year 8.
Teachers use a variety of assessments to gain an overall picture of the level that your child is working at. These may include formal tests, classwork, assignments or homework. A teacher then makes an Overall Teacher Judgement (OTJ) to see if your child is well below, below, at or above the National Standard for that subject. It is important to note that all effort is given to ensure that students are not assessed against the National Standards based on one test or one piece of work.
Below are exemplars for National Standard reporting
WRITING EXEMPLARS
Key exemplars for Year 7 Writing
Key exemplars for Year 8 Writing
READING EXEMPLARS
Key exemplars for Year 7 Reading
Key exemplars for Year 8 Reading
MATHS EXEMPLARS
Key exemplars for Year 7 Maths
Key exemplars for Year 8 Maths
KEY LINKS
National Standards Overview – Click Here
What is an OTJ? – Click Here
National Standards QandA – Click Here
Key Links
