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.
Curriculum
Head of Faculty: Mr Shem Banbury
Phone: 543 2400
Email: sbanbury@aquinas.school.nz
Subjects
Reporting Timeline
National Standards
Key Links
Subjects
At Aquinas College our curriculm is split between homeroom teaching and specialist teaching.
Generally your homeroom teacher will cover the core curriculum of the following subjects;
Religious Education
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Social Studies
Generally your homeroom teacher will cover the core curriculum of the following subjects;
Religious Education
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Social Studies
Students then have access to specialist teaching in the following subjects;
Science
Physical Education
Sport
Languages
Technology
Art
Music
Check out some of student work below.
Year 8 Movies – Term 4
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
Below are the links to the key resources we use in Year 7/8
Pastoral
Year 7 Dean: Ms Kate Krauts
Phone: 543 2400
Email: kkrauts@aquinas.school.nz
Year 8 Dean: Mr Peter Braid
Phone: 543 2400
Email: pbraid@aquinas.school.nz
BYOD
Mobile Phones
BYOD
Aquinas College runs a blended learning programme which gives the opportunity to use devices where appropriate but maintains the skill of writing. We view the use of these devices as a way to support student centred learning, but not as a replacement for student-teacher and student-student interaction.
As a school, we have decided that no one device fits all learners, and are therefore offering choice with regards to the device that students may use.
The expectation is that you do not need to purchase a brand new device. If you have a device at home that is compatible with our system, we would encourage you to bring it. This device could include iPads, tablets or laptops. However, the minimum specifications we recommend for use in the classroom are listed below.
Minimum Specifications
7.9 inch screen(diagonal)
keyboard
For those who are thinking of upgrading or buying a new machine we would recommend the following laptop specifications.
Desired Specifications
11 inch screen laptop
Windows 10
4g RAM
128G storage preferred (64G storage minimum)
PLEASE NOTE – Students do not need to purchase the Office suite. It is provided by the school for installation on any device that students may use. This includes laptops, home PC’s and mobiles.
Mobile Phones
Phones (whether smart phones or not) are not a requirement. While a number of students will have them, they do not need them at school.
The only time your child should have their phone out in Year 7/8 is after permission has been given.
They are not to be used at breaks or in class as a toy/recording device/music tool.
Students are asked not to connect with you throughout the day for you to pick them up due to illness, tell you how their day is or of any problems they may be having .
All communication to and from you should be done through the office to avoid phones being a distraction in class.
