At St Paul’s, we take pride in ensuring that our students have an enriching experience. Our commitment to maintaining small class sizes allows our educators to cultivate strong, meaningful connections with each student, ensuring delivery of tailored educational programmes that align with individual academic needs.
Our teachers employ a diverse range of teaching methods, accommodating various learning styles, and seamlessly integrating technology into both the learning process and assessment methods.
Junior school (Years 9-10)
Before starting at St Paul’s, Year 8 students are tested to determine their academic level and placed in classes accordingly. This practise allows teachers to focus on individual needs and support each student in achieving their best.
Boys and girls will be taught in single-sex classroom environments in Years 9 and 10. This approach provides our teaching staff with the opportunity to design courses and content specific to the group they have in front of them. For example, a Year 9 boys’ English class may be studying a different text to a Year 9 girls’ English class who are learning in an adjacent teaching space.
The proposed NCEA changes will begin in 2029 for Year 12 students for St Paul’s students, with St Paul’s students completing the St Paul’s Diploma in Year 11.
Students follow a compulsory core of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Religious Studies, and Te Reo. They also rotate through technology and arts options.
Technology includes Digital, Materials, and Design & Visual Communication, while the arts encompass Music, Drama, and Art.
All Year 9 students take either a foreign language or a literacy and numeracy course. This course allocation is decided during Term 1 Orientation. In addition, students choose two Master Class subjects for half a year. Some examples of these classes are: Sculpture, Video Motion Graphics, Public Speaking, Sustainable Cities, Psycho Babble and Architectural Design.
At Year 10, students follow a core of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health and Religion and three additional options. This curriculum is coordinated with their time at Tihoi.
Junior scholarship programme
The junior scholarship programme is for Year 9 students who have shown exceptional academic promise. The programme looks to enhance certain key areas that are deemed essential for scholarship acceptance and top academic success in the senior school. The programme develops a holistic range of skills such as group work, research, self-awareness, problem-solving and leadership.
