"Ko te kai rapu, ko ia te kite - He who seeks will find"

LANGUAGES

English

The English Department aims to provide students with the necessary tools to communicate effectively and make positive contributions to their community. We want our students to be equipped for the world they will encounter when they leave school.

The English Department offers courses from Years 7 to 13 that cover the three stands of the English Curriculum; Written, Oral and Visual Language. At each year level students have the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of literature. Creative and transactional writing also make up a large part of class work. At each year level students are expected to complete a formal oral presentation to their class.

Te Reo Maori

Due to the special nature of Queen Charlotte College we are able to plan a Te Reo programme from Year 7 to Year 12. This gives us the ability to lay down the foundations of the language at an early stage. From there we are able to apply more practical experiences such as marae visits, powhiri, poroporoaki, and plays to enhance students learning, and to gain credits in performance.

MATHEMATICS

Mathematic, Statistics, Calculus

Mathematics runs from Year 7 to Year 13 at Queen Charlotte College. It is split into five strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Geometry and Statistics, with problem solving and Mathematical Processes running through these strands.
Numeracy is a focus at Year 7 and 8 levels.

The following courses are available at Queen Charlotte College:

  • Year 11: NCEA Level One
    Math 101 - an Achievement standard course
    Math 102 - a Unit Standard course also covering the National Certificate in Mathematics
  • Year 12: NCEA Level Two
    Math 201 - an Achievement standard course including a trigonometry Unit Standard
    Math 202 - a Unit Standard course developing further mathematical skills for those not continuing in Mathematics
  • Year 13: NCEA Level Three
    MAC Mathematics with Calculus, MAS Statistics and Modelling. Both are Achievement Standard courses.

SCIENCES

Science - Putaiao

A general science course is taught to all students in Years 7-10. During year 11, students earn credits towards NCEA Level 1 by following either the 101 or 102 Science programmes. The progress made by students during Year 10 largely determines which Year 11 programme they will follow. The 101 course is assessed using Achievement Standards, with approximately half of the credits coming from externally assessed examinations. The alternative 102 course makes use of Unit Standards that are assessed internally throughout the year. Students who wish to specialise in Science at Year 12 and 13 by following Biology, Chemistry or Physics need to do the 101 programme at Year 11.

Biology - Matauranga Koi Ora

We teach a full NCEA Biology course at Levels 2 and 3 using the full compliment of available Achievement Standards. In addition, students are offered a number of relevant Unit Standard assessments during the year.

Queen Charlotte College is fortunate in its geographical location and the teaching of Biology makes full use of the local environment to enhance the learning opportunities of students.

The Aquaculture Academy's facilities such as the Barge and water space in Shakespeare Bay are used for teaching the ecological and research aspects of Biology.

Chemistry - Matauranga Matu

Chemistry is taught as a separate Science subject at Years 12 and 13 (NCEA Levels 2 & 3 respectively). Chemistry courses are central to future study in Science, Engineering and Medicine at tertiary level. Both the Year 12 and Year 13 courses are assessed using a combination of Achievement Standards and Unit Standards. Practical work is a key component of Chemistry and several of the assessments are practical based.

Physics - Ahupungao

Physics is taught as a separate Science subject at Years 12 and 13 (NCEA Levels 2 & 3 respectively). The key topics for the Year 12 course are mechanics, light, electricity and nuclear physics. The Year 13 course builds on the material learned from the Year 12 course. Both courses are assessed using a combination of appropriate Achievement Standards and Unit Standards. Practical work is included with all topics as it encourages individual work and initiative.

AQUACULTURE

Aquaculture - Ahumoana

The Aquaculture Academy offers courses in Aquaculture in Years 11, 12 and 13. The students are taught Seafood Industry Unit Standards that count towards their NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, students gain vocational qualifications in diving, boating and first aid. A key component of all three courses is the immersion of students in aquaculture industry activities, such as mussel harvesting and processing, site visits and experimental research. Students are also taught diving and boating skills.

The Academy is extremely well resourced with an 11m purpose built barge, a modern passenger carrier vehicle, designated water space for field-based learning activities, and an on-site wetlab for experimental procedures.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Social Studies

Social Studies aims to enable students to participate in a changing society as informed, confident and responsible citizens. New Zealand needs its young people to be challenged to think clearly and critically about our society and about the countries and regions that have significance for New Zealand.

When students build their own understanding of their own way of life, and that of others, they are better able to appreciate individual and cultural differences. To do this the Social Studies curriculum looks at the following Strands:

  • Social Organisation
  • Culture and Heritage
  • Place and Environment
  • Time, Continuity and Change
  • Resources and Economic Activities
In the time and place settings of:
  • New Zealand (past and present)
  • The Pacific
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Other and Global settings

Using the Inquiry, Values exploration, and Social decision making processes.

Picton offers a wealth of resources, places, history, people, and points of interest invaluable to our Social Studies programme, including

  • The Picton Museum
  • The services of Heritage Education, through the Marlborough Museum
  • History of bygone eras - Exploration and discovery, Moa Hunters, Whalers, early Maori and European settlement
  • Maritime history - the Echo and Edwin Fox
  • The Waikawa Marae

A variety of primary, processing and service industries including aquaculture, forestry, tourism and the port. In using such a fascinating local environment, Social Studies can come alive for students at Queen Charlotte College!

Geography

Geography is the study of people and places and the ways in which people interact with their environment. The Year 11, 12 and 13 courses are assessed against NCEA Achievement Standards and students can gain up to 24 credits at each level.

Topics include:
Level One (Year 11)

  • Natural events and their impact on people concentrating on New Zealand earthquakes and tropical cyclones in the South West Pacific.
  • People and places - concentrating on population of New Zealand and Monsoon Asia.
  • Resource use - concentrating on coal mining in New Zealand and dairy farming.
Level Two (Year 12)

  • Natural Landscapes - concentrating on Marlborough Sounds and tropical rainforests of the Amazon.
  • Urban settlements.
  • Inequalities of Development.
Level Three (Year 13)

  • Natural Processes - analysing interacting coastal processes of Marlborough Sounds and Rarangi Beach.
  • Cultural Process - analysing tourism processes in New Zealand and Bali.

All courses make use of the unique qualities of the marine environment of the Marlborough Sounds and associated settlements as a focus of studies. Each level considers current geographic issues and global studies.

Economics

This is a fascinating and relevant subject because it affects every one of us in our daily lives. Sometimes dubbed "the science of common sense", it focuses on the way human communities use different systems to solve the problem of scarcity. We are all interested in getting more for less! If we can understand how to make the best choices in the use of our scarce resources to produce goods and services, then we will maximise our economic welfare.

At junior levels, we focus on personal economics - consumers need to know about making choices, work and income, saving and investment, insurance and consumer rights.

  • NCEA Level 1 also looks at producers and markets.
  • NCEA Level 2 focuses on the economic issues of growth, employment, inflation, trade and inequality.
  • NCEA Level 3 looks at the microeconomics of the market and firms, government management of the economy, and the macroeconomics of the economy functioning as a whole.

Economics is happening all around us, and these courses try to get students out into the real world to make the link between theory and reality.

Employment Skills

Definition: Business Studies enables students to understand how producers of goods and services operate in the business environment.

Aim: Business Studies provides a grounding from which students may be empowered to enter the work-force for themselves or participate with others in the business environment. Students are introduced to the complexities of the world of business and encouraged to develop an interest and ability to work effectively within that environment.

Course Content: Business Studies contributes to the Essential Learning Area of Mathematics in that it enables students to develop logical approaches to procedures and systems. It also contributes to the Essential Learning Area of Technology through the use of technological applications for business use.

The following essential skills as identified in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework are specifically acquired through a Business Studies programme: numeracy skills, problem-solving skills, self management and competitive skills.

The course outline will be developed in consultation with students, to best reflect the needs and interests of the class. Here at QCC this course draws heavily on the businesses of the Marlborough region, and the opportunities of our local environment.

Core components will include:

  • Small Business Modules
  • Case studies of local businesses (Tourism, Marine, Aquaculture)

Electives may be selected from:

  • Lifeskills modules
  • Adventure Tourism Skills Modules (from Mountainbike, Sea Kayak, Bushcraft, Firearms and Hunting, Dive Course)
  • Driver's Licence/Driveplan
  • FirstAid Certificate
  • Transition to Work Modules
  • A number of Modules may offer NCEA credits at level 1 or 2.

HEALTH and WELLBEING

Physical Education

Physical Education enables students to develop knowledge, skills and strategies to enhance physical, mental and emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Students develop understandings of self and others, make informed decisions and actively participate for their own well-being, and that of others and society.

At Queen Charlotte College our Year 7 to 10 programmes use a variety of movement and learning contexts that provide our students with the opportunity to increase their understanding of the four core dimensions of Hauora (Well-being). We emphasise the need for our students to develop social responsibility through participation in healthy physical activities. Our senior courses include Recreation, PE NCEA level 1, 2 and 3 Achievement Standard programmes.

Queen Charlotte College has superb PE facilities including a full size gym, sand all weather field, astro-turfed all weather courts, pool and exercise room on site.

Health

Health Education Programmes are taught to all students in Year 7 to Year 10. The aim of this education is to enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills to develop their personal health and the health of others in the community. Total Well-being and Hauora is the focus. Spiritual, mental, social and physical health are all interrelated and if one aspect is not healthy the other areas will suffer.

Outdoor Education

While not a subject in itself, it is part of a number of curriculum areas. Outdoor Education at Queen Charlotte College provides all our students with wonderful opportunities to experience the outdoors in different environments. We offer camps at three-year levels, Year 8, 9 and 10. Each is set in different situations and introduces the students to activities specifically designed for that year level.

Our Year 8 camp is held at Umungata Bay (Davies Bay) in the Marlborough Sounds and introduces camping, day tramps, kayaking and several other water based activities. Year 9 camp is held at Lake Rotoiti Lodge and involves semi-alpine tramping and various exciting lodge based activities.

Year 10 Camp offers the students four modules.  These include sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds, tramping in the Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman National Parks, and mountain biking in the Hanmer area, The above modules last for one week and outside providers are employed where required.

VISUAL ARTS

Art

The Art Studies programme offered at Queen Charlotte College encourages learning Art Language, knowledge of the role of Art historically and in contemporary society and creative communication.

Effective Art education is a mix of many things. One of our tasks is to share the vision we have as we work with and alongside students: enabling them to reach their potential in individual and personal ways; encouraging excellence, not always providing the answers but encouraging them to ask the questions and find their own answers.

Within the department there are specific goals listed below (not in order of priority):

  • Foster an attitude of respect and value for Art in the wider school community by means of effective, quality teaching.
  • Meet the challenges of changing directions of the subject, technological developments, and the changing needs of students by a process of reviewing and updating our programmes, equipment and professional expertise.
  • Achieve a high success rate with all our students participating in external examinations.
    Provide our students with the best possible preparation for tertiary study in the subject and informed vocational guidance.

TECHNOLOGY

Computer Studies

The College has three modern computing rooms plus additional computers in the library for research and study. These are all available for school work from before school to about 4 pm.

The junior (Year 7-10) work is part of Technology and usually attached to either Electronics or Biotechnology. The senior classes are aimed at completing the National Certificate In Computing at both Levels 2 and 3. Adult students are also welcomed.

Food and Nutrition

Food Technology involves the students from Year 7 to Year 12 in investigating food and food related equipment. They then use the design process to develop, make and evaluate products. It is a practice oriented subject where the students also learn valuable food preparation and safety skills. At the Year 11 level the students achieve credits specialising in Food and Nutrition. Year 12 and Year 13 now have a course in Tourism and together with Hospitality, work towards the National Certificate in Tourism and Travel.

Design Technology

Design Technology includes the investigation, design, use and the development of materials to achieve a desired result. It involves knowledge of the qualities and suitability of different types of materials, including wood, metals, textiles, composites, plastics and synthetics as well as the processing and recycling of materials.

The key considerations when working in Design Technology are:

  • Designing the product to effectively meet the needs;
  • Selecting materials with the right properties;
  • Choosing the most suitable processes for making the product;
  • Determining the effect on the environment of both making and using the product.

Students here at QCC have a great opportunity to develop skills that will help them achieve success and expertise with this practice based subject.

Graphics

Graphic communication in its various forms has always had an important place in human cultures and histories. In today's society graphics is directly related to the dramatic technological developments in our modern rapidly changing world. Graphics is becoming another dimension of general literacy that enables us to understand and create graphic images and to use them to represent and communicate complex ideas.

Programmes at QCC in all levels will include design briefs based on realistic and thought provoking situations. Students will be encouraged to seek individual, innovative solutions and use graphics to develop, record and communicate these solutions in a variety of ways. Studying graphics in this context develops students understanding, sharpens their perceptions of design and creates discerning consumers with an awareness of the environment and of society's needs.

CORRESPONDENCE and OTHER COURSES

Study Options

We also offer Correspondence subjects and STAR courses as requested and some students take advantage of "Gateway" opportunities to sample workplace based learning while still at school.

ADULT EDUCATION

Adult Education

QCC welcomes adult students to attend classes at the College during the day. This may be as part time students choosing one or two classes or as full time students.

In the past Computing, senior English and Economics have been popular classes.