Academic excellence is central to the philosophy of St Matthew’s. We provide an environment where each student is encouraged to strive for individual excellence in all that she does and to develop her talents to the full.
A broad education in the early years provides a sound base from which to make career choices. An education programme based on skills and problem solving, ensures that students gain the flexibility and confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Learning at St Matthew’s focuses on ideas, problems and principles, requires girls to react and research widely, is not restricted by subject boundaries, emphasises in-depth enquiry, develops thinking skills, challenges girls to develop a high-quality product as the final outcome of their work using techniques, materials and forms that are new to them, promotes independence, self-direction and self-evaluation in learning, encourages the development of self-understanding and teaches girls to evaluate their own work and that of their peers, whether it is in their subject grouping or attending Senior College.
Academic Excellence
St Matthew’s recognises the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) as the main New Zealand Secondary School qualification. We encourage students to aim high and achieve Merit and Excellence NCEA endorsements. Students are expected to enter all assessments associated with any course of study.
Our NCEA Student Handbook 2023 contains all the information you will need.
Please view this powerpoint on NCEA for more information.
Other useful links regarding NCEA can be found below:
Curriculum
Led by Deputy Principal, Mrs Sandie Sherwen, the curriculum is delivered by our experienced and dedicated staff.
Academic excellence is central to the philosophy of St Matthew’s. We provide an environment where each girl is encouraged to strive for individual excellence in all that she does and to develop her talents to the full. St Matthew’s girls perform well when compared to National averages and a broad Year 7 and 8 curriculum provides a foundation for future studies. An education programme based on skills and problem solving ensures that girls gain the flexibility and confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
The learning experiences of the girls are enhanced by field trips, workshops, visiting speakers, National and International competitions and the use of technology. Girls, gifted in specific curriculum areas, are able to access the curriculum at the relevant level.
Year 7 and 8
Our Year 7 and 8 students enjoy the best of both worlds – a dedicated environment for their year levels and all the benefits of a well-resourced secondary school.
Students can enter the school in either year. Girls who do this enjoy a seamless and confident transition into Year 9.
The Year 7/8 Department provides a safe and nurturing setting where girls gain a sound education and establish good study habits. Two combined Year 7 and 8 acadmeic groups have their own ‘Ako’ teacher for Reading, Writing, English Studies, Inquiry Learning and Mathematics. Girls go to specialist teachers for Information Technology, Health, Religious Education, Physical Education, Art, Music and Drama. At the end of each day the girls join their Whanau Group of 7-11 students. This is based on the House the girls belong to.
Students work in flexible ability groups for Maths and English and can move between them according to progress. Student achievement is assessed through a range of recognised methods as well as the National Standards in Reading, Writing and Maths.
All intermediate students enjoy the benefits of the school secondary environment which include:
- Role models in senior students
- School House system where leaders encourage the younger girls
- Specialist teachers and facilities for Textile and Food Technology, Digital Photography, Japanese, French, Environmental Studies, Global Studies and Hard Material Technology.
Dedicated activities for Year 7/8 students include:
- Musical Production
- Sporting fixtures
- Gifted and Talented programme
- National Young Leaders Day
- Speech competition
- Bi-annual camp
- Interschool Sports exchanges
- Individual Music lessons
Year 9
Year 9 is an important year in the life of our girls as it is their first year of secondary school. In terms of subjects at St Matthew’s Year 9 is a ‘taster’ year, where they have the opportunity to try many with a view to choosing three options in Year 10. Below is a list of subjects offered at our school for Year 9 students:
Click here to view a pathways diagram outlining subjects to Year 13.
Core Subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Physical Education
- Health
- Religious Education
- Taha Maori
- Languages – taster course in French and Spanish
- Option subjects (delivered in a rotation system)
- Art
- Drama
- Food and Nutrition
- Soft Materials Technology
- Digital Technology
- Music
Year 10
In Year 10 students continue to gain a broad education in core subjects and have the opportunity to begin to specialise by choosing three options. Girls are encouraged to identify their interests and skills.
The Dean for Year 10 is Nicola Veale. “In year 10 the focus is on developing good study skills and self management so as to to set a good foundation for year 11 NCEA. Also settling into option courses and becoming more of a proactive learner, whether in an academic, cultural or sporting context. Year 10 Students discussed the importance of key values and skills for the year and were asked to remember – the 3R’s respect, responsibility and resilience as a focus for the year.”
Year 10 Core Subjects
Core subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Religious Education
- Health
- Physical Education
Year 10 Options
Options (students will study 3 of the following subjects)
- Art
- Soft Materials Technology
- Food and Nutrition
- Drama
- French
- Music
- Digital Technology
Year 11
Students entering Year 11 select six subjects in which they will be assessed for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).
The Dean for Year 11 is Mrs Rosemary Taylor. “In this most challenging of years our Year 11 girls are encouraged to continue to develop their self management skills. These assist them in organising their workload of internal assessments, trial exams and enable them to tackle the end of year external examinations with quiet confidence. My role as Dean is to be a person for your daughter to come and see if she has any difficulties with her work or if things are getting on top of her and she would like to offload. My door is always open and please, as parents, don’t hesitate to email or phone me with any concerns you may have”
At Year 11 English, Mathematics and Science are compulsory. The remaining three subjects can be selected from the following list. Students are encouraged to discuss options with their subject teachers, form teacher and dean. Before deciding upon the optional subjects it is important that students consider:
- their talents and interests
- any career preferences
- improving their all-round education
Year 11 Options
Options (students will study 3 of the following subjects)
- Visual Arts
- Food and Nutrition
- Geography
- Physical Education
- Commerce
- French
- History
- Music
- Soft Materials Technology
- Drama
- Digital Technology
- Dance
- Classics
Year 12
At Year 12 our girls join classes with the students from Rathkeale College for Senior College. They journey by bus every morning from the St Matthew’s site and return again in the afternoon. All assemblies, chapels and sport are all held at St Matthew’s. Please see the Senior College page for more information.
Core subjects: all students study English or ESOL (English as a second or other language).
Year 12 Options
Options (students choose an additional five from the following subjects)
- Accounting
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Classical Studies
- Design and Visual Communications
- Drama
- Economics
- Food & Nutrition
- French
- Geography
- History
- Information Technology
- Japanese
- Mathematics 201 or 202
- Physical Education 1 or 2
- Physics
- Technology (Hard Materials)
- Technology (Soft Materials)
- Tourism
- Transition
- Visual Art (design)
- Visual Art (painting)
- Visual Art (photography)
Year 13
Core Subjects: While there are no core subjects in Year 13, students are advised to take at least one language-rich subject.
Year 13 Options
Options (students choose an additional five from the following subjects with no more than two Visual Arts subjects)
- Accounting
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Classical Studies
- Design & Visual Communications
- Drama
- Economics
- English or ESOL (English as a second or other language)
- Food & Nutrition
- French
- Geography
- History
- History of Art
- Information Technology
- Japanese
- Mathematics
- Physical Education 1 or 2
- Physics
- Te Reo Maori
- Technology (hard materials)
- Technology (soft materials)
- Tourism
- Transition
- Visual arts (design)
- Visual arts (painting)
- Visual arts (photography)