Junior School

Te Kura Tuarua o Te Kauaeranga Thames High School offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with multiple pathways. 

Our learning and teaching programmes and pastoral care network ensures that there is a personalised approach to learning and pastoral care well-being, where everyone is recognised as an individual.

Students are placed in a rōpu (group) in one of our four houses, with a Rōpu Kaitiaki (teacher) who looks after them and is the main point of contact between the school and home. One of the features of Thames High School is that students foster great relationships with their teachers and other students.

The school offers:

  • A broad, diverse curriculum with student choice at all year levels (option subjects)
  • We operate a 25-period-per-week (five periods a day) timetable with 60-minute periods. There is also a daily 20-minute Rōpū time with an assembly at least once a week
  • Years 9 and 10 have Core (compulsory) programmes in English, Tikanga / Te Reo Māori, Mathematics, Science, Arts, Social Studies, and Physical Education and Health.

Year 9

A mix of full-year core subjects and core (term rotation) subjects:

  • Full-year core subjects
    • English and Mathematics – 4 periods per week
    • Health and Physical Education, Social Studies and Science – 3 periods per week
  • Term rotations subjects
    • Two blocks of subjects that change each term. The blocks change from year to year, but cover eight of the following subjects.
      • Visual and performing arts: Art, Drama and Music, 
      • Technology: Digital Technology, Fabric Technology, Materials Technologies and Kai (Food Technology)
      • Te Ao Māori: Te Reo Māori and Tikanga / Te Ao Haka
    • One period (hour) of Active As – term rotation of activities – Sport, Cultural, Arts and Environmental

Year 10

A mix of full-year core subjects, term rotations, and option  subjects:

Full-year core subjects

  • English, Maths and Science – 4 periods per week
  • Social Studies and Health & Physical Education – 3 periods per week
  • Term rotations – one block of core rotating subjects – 2 periods (hours) per week for one term each
    • Digital Technology or Digital Financial literacy,
    • Te Reo Māori
    • Tikanga / Te Ao Haka
    • Project based learning (e.g. art project)
  • Two blocks of optional subjects – two per semester for a total of four options – each 3 hours per week.
    • Art, Drama, Digital Technology, Multi-materials Technology, Sport
    • Enterprise, Music, Kapa, Kai, Languages (online learning – whole year option), Opportunities (PE)
    • The options are subject to change from year to year. There is a good variety on offer to cover the range of subjects expected in the NZ Curriculum, in technology, music, art, drama, etc.

Assessment at Years 9 and 10

During the important years of 9 and 10 in our student’s education, they are entering a pivotal phase. This period is marked by the introduction to a range of subjects and the development of more advanced thinking skills. It involves focused and purposeful practice to enhance their ability to grasp subject-specific knowledge and acquire new skills.

Assessments will be standards-based at the appropriate curriculum level, to model practices at Years 11 to 13 for NCEA.

Student knowledge understanding is developed by varied modes of learning supported by ongoing formative assessment, so that regular feedback can be provided and students can learn from that feedback. 

We make the most of the Year 9 to 10 years by delivering courses that enable students to engage more deeply and critically with their studies. This approach ensures they are well-prepared and knowledge-rich as they begin NCEA.