At Northcross, all students are immersed in the core subjects including Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences. Complementing these are a range of Specialist Programmes run by subject experts.
In year 7, students take all core and specialist subjects. In year 8, students continue with the core subjects and choose four specialist subjects to study more intensly. Te Reo and Digital Technology are incorporated into all our classes.
Subject Overview
Literacy
As a school, nurturing a strong literacy programme is a priority. Through PBL we provide numerous opportunities for students to enhance their literacy skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Our comprehensive approach combines proven teaching strategies, personalised instruction, and a love for literacy. With a focus on differentiation, our highly qualified teachers plan programmes to meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring progress at their own pace. Through a rich literary environment and a strong home-school partnership, we empower students to become confident communicators and critical thinkers.
Mathematics
At Northcross, our students, through mathematics, will learn to develop the ability to think creatively, critically, strategically and logically. Our students will structure and organise information mathematically, carry out procedures flexibly and accurately, process and communicate information and enjoy intellectual challenge. PBL allows our students to engage in real-world projects that require them to apply mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills to authentic practical problems.
We provide challenging mathematical events and activities such as:
- Mathex
- Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad
- Otago Problem Challenge
The programme reinforces their learning in a fun, positive and challenging way.
Science
Through hands-on experiments, PBL based learning, and real-world applications, our teachers ignite a passion for science and develop critical thinking skills in our students. We want our students to identify problems or matters of interest, gather information, to find solutions, test claims, predict and to realise that often there is not just one solution. We want them to ‘experience’ Science, not just ‘learn’ about it.
Social Sciences
Through PBL based learning, critical thinking, and active engagement, our teachers foster a deep understanding of society, culture, and history. By exploring diverse perspectives, global issues, and civic responsibility, we inspire empathy, tolerance, and a sense of social responsibility in our students.
Technology
At Northcross the aim of Technology Education is for students to develop a broad technological literacy to enable them to be confident and practical applicants of technology and solvers of technological problems.
The Year 7 programme is designed to equip students with practical skills, knowledge and understandings focused on the school wide concepts.
Year 8 students implement these skills by following a design process to devise solutions to purposeful problems, needs and opportunities that may arise.
Specialist Subjects
In year 7, students take all specialist technology and art subjects. Our curriculum engages students with hands-on experiences, sparking curiosity and cultivating problem-solving abilities.
When students reach Year 8, they choose four specialist subjects to pursue more intensively, allowing them to shape their learning to their interests. Specialist options include:
- Design, Make, Learn (DML)
- Food Technology
- Bio-technology
- Drama
- Art Tech
- Music
- Photography
- Graphic Design
- Health Science
Te Reo
Te Reo is integrated into daily activities throughout the students classes. This allows students to develop a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s unique bi-cultural heritage. Through engaging lessons, songs, and interactive activities, we foster cultural appreciation, respect, and a sense of pride.
Digital Technology
eLearning is a key component in all Northcross classrooms and digital technologies are integrated appropriately to support authentic, higher order and collaborative learning. This learning focuses on developing students’ capability to create digital technologies for a specific purpose. Students develop the knowledge and skills they need as digital citizens and users of digital technologies across the curriculum.
Specialist Extension Programmes
In addition to the specialist subjects, all students are also offered the opportunity to join Specialist Extension Programmes. These offer students further opportunities to develop their technological thinking and skills in areas of interest and passion. They are entirely optional and are usually run during or after lunch. These include options such as:
- Digital art
- Bio gardens
- Toi – wearable art
- Maker space
- Community projects
Subject Overview
Literacy – Core Subject
As a school, nurturing a strong literacy programme is a priority. Through PBL we provide numerous opportunities for students to enhance their literacy skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Our comprehensive approach combines proven teaching strategies, personalised instruction, and a love for literacy. With a focus on differentiation, our highly qualified teachers plan programmes to meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring progress at their own pace. Through a rich literary environment and a strong home-school partnership, we empower students to become confident communicators and critical thinkers.
Mathematics – Core Subject
At Northcross, our students, through mathematics, will learn to develop the ability to think creatively, critically, strategically and logically. Our students will structure and organise information mathematically, carry out procedures flexibly and accurately, process and communicate information and enjoy intellectual challenge. PBL allows our students to engage in real-world projects that require them to apply mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills to authentic practical problems.
We provide challenging mathematical events and activities such as:
- Mathex
- Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad
- Otago Problem Challenge
The programme reinforces their learning in a fun, positive and challenging way.
Science – Core Subject
Through hands-on experiments, PBL based learning, and real-world applications, our teachers ignite a passion for science and develop critical thinking skills in our students. We want our students to identify problems or matters of interest, gather information, to find solutions, test claims, predict and to realise that often there is not just one solution. We want them to ‘experience’ Science, not just ‘learn’ about it.
Social Sciences – Core Subject
Through PBL based learning, critical thinking, and active engagement, our teachers foster a deep understanding of society, culture, and history. By exploring diverse perspectives, global issues, and civic responsibility, we inspire empathy, tolerance, and a sense of social responsibility in our students.
Technology – Specialist Subject
At Northcross the aim of Technology Education is for students to develop a broad technological literacy to enable them to be confident and practical applicants of technology and solvers of technological problems.
The Year 7 programme is designed to equip students with practical skills, knowledge and understandings focused on the school wide concepts.
Year 8 students implement these skills by following a design process to devise solutions to purposeful problems, needs and opportunities that may arise.
Performing Arts – Specialist Subject
At Northcross, we encourage our students to participate in as many of the extra-curricular activities as possible. This is an integral part of the education programme conducted at Northcross.
Cultural Opportunities include:
- Choirs
- Concert and Jazz Bands
- Dance Groups, Hip-Hop, Ballroom, Latin and Contemporary
- ShowQuest
- Kapa Haka
- Small and large scale Drama Performances
- Music tuition in a wide range of instruments
- Selected Musical Ensemble performance groups
- Rock Bands
- Maori/Pasifika celebration
All our endeavours at Northcross are distinguished by creativity and it is through the fine arts, performing arts and music that the students develop their creative skills.
Visual Art – Specialist Subject
Students have the opportunities to develop ideas through imagination and observation and invention with materials.
Drama – Specialist Subject
Students will work with the elements of role, time and space, action, tension and focus. Their dance ideas are derived from imagination, feelings and experiences suggested by the teacher.
- “Stuffy” Performing Arts extension group
- School Production (bi-annual)
Music – Specialist Subject
Our Music department is filled with opportunities for new and experienced musicians. We offer a vast array of bands and groups for students; Concert, Rock, Jazz, Stage, Strings, Choir. We perform throughout the year at concert nights, community outreaches and competitions.
Our music tuition program offers a wide variety of lessons, with top tutors and scholarships available for some instruments. For more information about Music at Northcross please refer to our Music page.
