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Curriculum

At St Albans Catholic School we recognise that the world is undergoing rapid social, economic and technological change and we need to prepare and equip our children to be adaptable to meet these changes.
Our school curriculum gives us the flexibility to develop a learning programme that is relevant, meaningful and reflective of the values and beliefs of our students, the school and the wider community. 
We believe in providing quality Special Character experiences along with literacy and numeracy programmes, and the development of the key learner qualities which build on existing good practice. Our curriculum is student centred and outcomes focussed. While the New Zealand Curriculum gave flexibility about how things are taught and assessed it also provided clear direction for effective teaching and learning.

Virtues

At St Albans Catholic School, we commit to the nurture and practice of the virtues of Compassion, Humility, Social Justice, Service and Forgiveness. We believe a significant influence on the students derives from the moment-to-moment living of Gospel values in the home, classroom and playground.
COMPASSION: 
I am compassionate when I have kind feelings towards someone who is hurt or troubled. I care deeply and want to help even if I don't know them. 
HUMILITY: 
I show humility when I am myself. I don't worry about impressing other people. I am aware of my ability and I desire to be a better person. When I do something wonderful, humility reminds me to be thankful rather than boastful. 
SOCIAL JUSTICE: 
I act with social justice when I show fairness, equity and respect for human dignity and the rights of all living things. I am hospitable and show courage when I speak up for the needs and rights of others. 
SERVICE: 
I give service when I give to others and want to make a difference in their lives. I see that the needs of others are as important as my own. When I work with the spirit of service, I give any job my best effort. 
FORGIVENESS: 
I show forgiveness when I give someone another chance after they have done something wrong, knowing that everyone makes mistakes. I own up when I am at fault and make amends.

Vision

Together we excel, we live our faith and we celebrate learning and life. 

STUDENT VISION: as recorded by 2011 Year 5 & 6 students.
  • We are proud to belong to our school family 
  • We help each other to live like Jesus 
  • We always use our best manners when we speak to each other 
  • We are confident learners who try our best everyday 
  • We are able to organise ourselves and focus on our learning 
  • We use the rules of fair play and include others in our games 
  • We are friendly and respectful and live by the golden rule of "Treat each other as I would like to be treated" 
  • We are creative thinkers who know who to ask and where to look for new knowledge. 
  • We try to make sure that everyone is happy and safe by looking after our friends and our teachers 
  • We help others who are less fortunate and need our help

Learner Qualities

Our school vision integrates the key competencies which are embedded within these key Learner Qualities of Respectful Learner, Effective Communicator, Creative Thinker, High Achiever and Team Player.

RESPECTFUL LEARNER

I am respectful of myself, others and the environment. I show consideration and empathy in my relationships with others. I am reliable, courteous and responsible. 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR

I am an effective communicator when I give, receive and interpret information to convey and receive messages. I build relationships by being an active listener and clearly express myself using appropriate language and ICT tools. I am resilient and confident and have a positive sense of self-worth. 

CREATIVE THINKER

I am a creative thinker and problem solver who is curious about my world. I use a range of strategies to actively seek knowledge by questioning, reflecting and communicating. I persevere and never give up on myself. 

HIGH ACHIEVER

I am a high achiever who strives for personal excellence across all areas of my life. I understand the need for goal setting, effective self-management skills and diligence. I value competitiveness in both myself and against others and accept challenges and disappointments as positive learning opportunities. 

TEAM PLAYER

I am a team player who enthusiastically participates and contributes. I have a strong sense of belonging. I am co-operative and accountable for my words and actions. I value different cultures within my class, school and community.

CURRICULUM LEARNING AREAS

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - TE WHAKAAKORANGA WHAKAPONO

Our Vision: "Our students will live and celebrate their gift of Catholic faith through prayer, worship and service to others."

ENGLISH - INGARIHI

In English, students study, use, and enjoy language and literature communicated orally, visually, or in writing. 

Our Vision: "Our students will be come effective and skilled communicators as speakers and listeners, writers and readers and presenters and viewers."

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS - PANGARAU

In mathematics and statistics, students explore relationships in quantities, space, and data and learn to express these relationships in ways that help them to make sense of the world around them.

Our Vision: "Our students will explore and use number, patterns and relationships in quantities, space and data and use a broad range of practical maths applications in everyday life."

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION - HAUORA

In health and physical education, students learn about their own well-being, and that of others and society, in health-related and movement contexts.

Our Vision: "Our students will become positive contributors by enhancing the well-being of themselves, other people and society."
  • PHYSICAL EDUCATION: A specialist PE teacher is employed to teach all classes.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Our Vision:
"Our students' learning will be enhanced through Education Outside the Classroom opportunities and activities."
  • SWIMMING: Each year children travel to a local heated pool for up to 10 lessons with trained instructors. Parents contribute to the cost of tuition and transport. 
  • GYMNASTICS: Students enjoy six lessons at the with the School of Gymnastics in alternate years. 
  • SPORTS: Senior students participate in all North Zone and Catholic School sports competitions. 
  • EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM: The senior class has the opportunity to attend two outdoor education camps.

E-LEARNING

Our Vision: "Our students will be able to confidently use ICT tools to enhance and extend their learning."
  • CYBERSAFETY: Students are expected to follow the ICT safe practices evident in all classrooms. 
  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Every student has access to digital devices to enrich their learning.
  • SCHOOL WEBSITE: This website contains all school information and communication including recent newsletters and class blogs. Within "Our Learning" each class has their specific online area which has relevant literacy and numeracy links to learning activities and may also have learning tasks for students.

LEARNING LANGUAGES

In learning languages, students learn to communicate in an additional language, develop their capacity to learn further languages, and explore different world views in relation to their own.

Our Vision: "Our students will respect other cultures including their languages."

THE ARTS - NGA TOI

In the arts, students explore, refine, and communicate ideas as they connect thinking, imagination, senses, and feelings to create works and respond to the works of others.

Our Vision: "Our students will explore and celebrate their unique artistic expression through movement, sound and image."
  • MUSIC: Senior students participate in the Christchurch Primary Schools' Music Festival and Kids for Kids Concerts on alternate years. 
  • CHORAL SINGING: A specialist choral teacher is employed to teach the Year 5-6 students each week. 
  • MUSICAL PRODUCTION: These are produced on a triennial basis and are very much looked forward to by the students. 
At St Albans Catholic School we have designed a three year cycle of concepts to include several learning areas in particular Science, Social Sciences and Technology. These will encompass the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students require for exploring real-life issues in real life contexts. 

SUSTAINABILITY - Our world's resources must be protected and sustained. 

INTERACTION - All interactions produce an effect. 

CHANGE - The world and its people are in constant change.

SCIENCE - PUTAIAO

In science, students explore how both the natural physical world and science itself work so that they can participate as critical, informed, and responsible citizens in a society in which science plays a significant role.

Our Vision: "Our students will use Science as a way of investigating, understanding and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe."

SOCIAL SCIENCES - TIKANGA A IWI

In the social sciences, students explore how societies work and how they themselves can participate and take action as critical, informed, and responsible citizens.

Our Vision: "Our students will gain knowledge, skills and experiences that help them to understand, participate in and contribute to the communities in which they live and work."

TECHNOLOGY - HANGARAU

In technology, students learn to be innovative developers of products and systems and discerning consumers who will make a difference in the world.

Our Vision: "Our students will be able to develop products and systems that address needs and realise opportunities by working through a design process."



Both the New Zealand and Religious Education Curriculum underpin our decision making and are evident in all aspects of the delivery of our school’s curriculum. Our commitment to the principles and our success in putting them into effect in teaching and learning is demonstrated in the following ways:

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

“The Curriculum supports and empowers all students to learn and achieve personal excellence, regardless of their individual circumstances”.
The New Zealand Curriculum  Ministry of Education (2007), p.9 

St Albans Catholic School curriculum supports and empowers all students to learn and achieve personal excellence, regardless of their individual circumstances. It provides objectives and opportunities for children to experience, learn and grow in faith and awareness of Catholic morality, taking into account the ability, background and family situation.High Expectations will be addressed through teaching the Learner Quality of High Achiever. 



TREATY OF WAITANGI:
“The curriculum acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand.  All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Maori me ona tikanga.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum Ministry of Education (2007), p.9
St Albans Catholic School acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, valuing and reflecting the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa, <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region>. It acknowledges the Treaty as a covenant and a taonga tapu (sacred treasure). Students will acquire knowledge of the te reo Maori me ona tikanga within the context of the curriculum.Treaty of Waitangi will be addressed and taught through the Learner Quality of Team Player.CULTURAL DIVERSITY:
“The curriculum reflects <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region>’s cultural diversity and values the histories and traditions of all its people.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum  Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School values and reflects <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region>’s multi - cultural nature and the histories and traditions of its entire people. It initiates children into the history, stories, traditions, practices and beliefs of the Catholic faith, as members of the Catholic Church.Cultural Diversity will be addressed and taught through the Learner Quality of Team Player.

INCLUSION:
“The curriculum is non-sexist, non-racist, and non-discriminatory; it ensures that students’ identifies, languages, abilities, and talents are recognised and affirmed and that their learning needs are addressed.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School curriculum is inclusive of all genders and all ethnicities and cultures; it ensures that students’ identities, languages, abilities, and talents are recognised and affirmed and that their learning needs are addressed. It provides flexibility which will enable schools to adapt material to fit the context and needs of their students.

Inclusion will be addressed through teaching the Learner Quality of Team Player.


LEARNING TO LEARN:
“The curriculum encourages all students to reflect on their own learning processes and to learn how to learn.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum  Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School curriculum encourages all students to reflect on their own learning processes and to learn how to learn. It establishes directions for teaching, learning and assessment to meet the needs of all students.

Learning to Learn will be addressed and taught through the Learner Qualities of Creative Thinker, Effective Communicator and High Achiever.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
“The curriculum has meaning for students, connected with their wider lives, and engages the support of their families, whanau, and communities.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School curriculum has meaning for students, connects with their wider lives, and engages the support of their families, whanau, parishes and wider communities. It encourages children to be committed to the truth of the gospel, to sharing it and to living the gospel values in their communities.

COHERENCE:
“The curriculum offers all students a broad education that makes links within and across learning areas, provides for coherent transitions, and opens pathways to further learning.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum  Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School curriculum is cyclical in its framework, indicating specific areas to be covered in each year of schooling. It offers all students a broad education that makes links within and across learning areas, provides for coherent transitions, and opens up pathways to further learning.

“The curriculum encourages students to look to the future by exploring such significant future-focused issues as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise, and globalisation.”
The <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> Curriculum Ministry of Education (2007), p.9

St Albans Catholic School curriculum encourages students to look to the future by exploring such significant future focused issues as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise and globalisation. The curriculum develops the children’s awareness of social justice issues in the light of Catholic Social teaching. It promotes an attitude of respect and stewardship for the Earth.

Future Focus will be addressed and taught through the Learner Quality of High Achiever.