Course Information for Year 7 and Year 8

Baradene College Year 7 and Year 8 Curriculum Information

Year 7 and Year 8 is comprised of 16 classes, 8 x Year 7 and 8 x Year 8 classes. 

All Year 7 and Year 8 subjects are compulsory at Baradene College.

The emphasis is on providing effective teaching and learning programmes to meet the needs of each student as they transition from primary education to secondary school. Learning programmes are created by individual faculties as a result of evidence gathered from continuous testing and observation of students’ needs throughout the year. Students are encouraged to analyse their own test and achievement information in order to create goals for further academic improvement. 

Programmes are developed that support students not only in achieving academic success but also to develop key competencies (Managing Self, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing, Using Language, Symbols and Text and Thinking), which are in line with the values of the New Zealand Curriculum. These are underpinned by the goals of a Sacred Heart Education in order to provide Year 7 and 8 students with a holistic education intended to develop in them a lifelong love of learning.

Subjects offered in Year 7 & 8: 

• English
• Health and Physical Education
• Humanities
• Languages - all students have two term taster for each language 
  • te reo Maori
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Chinese
• Mathematics
• Performing Arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music - all Year 7 and Year 8 students study a musical instrument
• Religious Education
• Science
• Technology 
• Visual Arts

Programmes are also designed to cater for students with diverse needs within each faculty. Baradene has a Learning Centre to specifically help students needing extra academic support in the core subjects of English and Mathematics. The Year 7/8 students who require extra guidance with English are able to boost their reading levels with a programme called “Rainbow Reading” facilitated by the teacher aides in the Learning Centre. For those students requiring extra support in Mathematics, a specialist tutor works with the Year 7 and 8 Mathematic class to support students who require it.

The Gifted and Talented Program, identified by the school’s standardised testing, are offered the opportunity to participate in a timetabled enrichment programme which is challenging and stimulating.

Extra-curricular opportunities include:

• Debating/speech competitions
• ICAS examinations
• Road petrol
• Dance groups
• Sports teams
• Student committees
• Junior Choir and Orchestra
• Music academy
• School sports days
• La Fete
• Feast of the Sacred Heart performances
• Involvement in inter-house competitions
• Future problem solving
• National Young Leaders day
• Kapa Haka Culture group
• Robotics
• Bookclub

Education Outside the Classroom:

• Y8 Camp
• Retreats and Masses
• Trips outside the classroom to support learning
• Sports exchanges