English & Languages Department

Welcome to the Year

The year is well underway, and we have enjoyed welcoming our ākonga back to the classroom. Students are settling in, and there is a great sense of enthusiasm as they embark on their learning journeys.

Introducing New Staff

We are pleased to welcome a new staff member, Mr. Daw, to the English department. We are also fortunate to have Ms. Brittenden join us, bringing valuable experience that will help us continue striving for excellence in student achievement.

English at Junior Level

Our junior English classes have had a strong start to the year:

• Year 9 students have just completed a project exploring their identities—what supports them, what shapes them, and what helps them grow. Using the analogy of a tree, they examined their roots, trunk, and branches to understand their personal development.

• Year 10 students are preparing for their first assessment: a creative writing piece. To support this, they are learning about the six aspects of literature, developing the skills needed to craft engaging and effective stories.

English at NCEA Level

Senior students have begun the year by familiarising themselves with their course structure and upcoming assessments.

• Level 1 English students are gearing up for an exciting first project. They will be connecting with German students, sharing their experiences of life in Geraldine, New Zealand. The German students will respond with video messages—in English, of course!

• Level 2 English students are beginning their first assessment, focusing on the study of film—always a student favourite.

• Level 3 English students recently explored the theme of love through poetry, analysing how it has been expressed in verse over time in honour of Valentine’s Day.

Te Reo Māori

We are delighted to have Matua Otis continuing to teach Te Reo Māori to our Year 7, 8, 9, and 10 students. It’s encouraging to see more students choosing to take Te Reo at Level 1, reflecting a growing commitment to learning the language.

Literacy & ESOL Support

To ensure students meet the literacy co-requisite, we have a literacy support group running for Year 9 and 10 students, helping them develop their reading and writing skills.

Our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programme continues to grow, and we are fortunate to have Mr. Daw working closely with students to develop their English proficiency.

We look forward to an exciting year of learning, growth, and achievement in English and Languages!