Students in year 9 study ten subjects because we believe that a well-educated person, someone getting ready to take their place in the rapidly changing world, needs a broad, general education. We don’t have options because that implies dropping some less important subjects. All our subjects are important: they were carefully selected by the school as the foundation for the future of our students. All of our year 9-11 students study these subjects: Religious Education, English, Spanish, Maori, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Sciences, the Arts, and Physical Education.
During our first three years we do a lot of work helping students think about their career options – and during year 11 parents and students meet teachers and careers advisors to work out which subjects the student needs to study in year 12 and 13.
The subjects are important in their own right – but doubly important because they are also the vehicle that allow excellent teachers to help students develop the skills, values, attitudes, experiences and concepts that will enable them to take their places confidently in the world of the future.
At the foot of this page you will see a link to our current Curriculum (2009 online) Booklet, outlining our philosophy of education, how we help students grow as whole people, and the courses we teach. You can also see a statement of the philosophy behind our curriculum through the link at the top of the page: The Foundation of the Garin Curriculum.