Academic

Tauranga Boys' College Senior Curriculum Booklet 2010

The academic philosophy of the College is that boys have the best opportunities to learn when they are grouped in classes of similar ability and extended to the maximum.

Our junior classes are streamed and banded on entry and opportunities are provided for students to shift levels as their potential develops.

Currently, an accelerate stream provides work at a level ahead of one's peer group from Year 10, mainstream programmes lead directly to national qualifications, while learning needs and special needs classes aim to strengthen weaknesses to allow the students to compete on a more level footing.

The school offers courses at all levels of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Like many secondary schools in New Zealand, Tauranga Boys' College debated the introduction of NCEA at some length. However, we believe that gaining a high quality New Zealand education by following a New Zealand-based curriculum is crucial. We are determined to make NCEA work for our students, but have still looked at other alternatives, such as increasing the number of Stage 1 University subjects that we offer for students who have already completed Level 3 qualifications.

Tauranga Boys' College values the pursuit of personal excellence. Hard work, respect for others, leadership and service. In the spirit of its motto 'Pergo et Perago' - 'Strive to Achieve', it sees its primary goal as promoting academic achievement. Students are encouraged to become the best they can be.

For those students needing ESOL help we have experienced staff providing beginner to intermediate level of assistance and an English Department providing IELTS examination courses for University study. Students have access to high quality text and resources, a structured study programme.

We have strong links with both Waikato and Massey Universities and our Year 13 / 7th Form students have the opportunity to take extension courses in both Chemistry and Calculus.

We continually strive to provide the learning environment which will enable students to focus on their academic goals. This involves:

• Challenging and nurturing high calibre staff who are role models in their own right.
• Developing curriculum both nationally and locally to meet the needs of Tauranga Boys' College students.
• Providing support for these students in and out of the classroom.
• Providing appropriate resources for staff and students.
• Utilizing the goodwill and energy of parents, business partners and the wider community.

Some of the innovative and practical measures that seem to make a difference to achievement and self esteem are:

• Strong tutorial support and monitoring of student's academic and personal progress through the school.
• A thoughtful and carefully recorded reporting system.
• Reading support.
• Enhanced learning courses.
• A wide variety of subjects to choose from after appropriate counselling.
• Ongoing assistance provided by experienced counsellors who are always available and easily accessible by students.

Tauranga Boys' College can prove with hard data the value added academic achievement of all its students. Graduates of Tauranga Boys' College work hard and study world wide. In recent years the College has had two Rhodes scholars to Oxford University.

Our head boy of 1994 is currently studying at Cambridge University. Others have studied at top American universities including Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

We have very strong links with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the Waikato University College, both situated very close to our School site.

Our founding Headmaster Arthur Nicholson brought to Tauranga Boys' College a tradition of a good Grammar School.

Myrons Discobolus was chosen as a school monogram because it reflected the virtues of those traditions. The College emblem is symbolic of grace, poise, discipline, proportion and exactitude.