PROSPECTUS
To maximise achievement through intellectual challenge
and nurturing personal growth
in an environment that promotes confidence
and lifelong learning OUR VISION
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Botany Downs Secondary College is a school which has an intellectual and academic ethos, and this is supported by excellent opportunities in sport, culture, and the arts. This ensures that every student has the opportunity to achieve all they are capable of during their time at the College. We believe strongly that the well-being of every student is of vital importance and our vision, values and philosophy outline our commitment to each student’s personal development. Students will be encouraged to care for one another and develop healthy lifestyles. The Whanau house system is the basis of our pastoral support for individuals. Each Whanau encourages and establishes a sense of belonging within our College and endeavours to make our students positive, effective citizens. Schools cannot operate in isolation from their community. Strength lies in our working together and creating educational partnerships that will encourage and empower our students to achieve at the highest levels. We appreciate the diversity of culture in our College and welcome active community participation. The College is a learning community that embraces technology and innovation and introduces new learning and thinking tools. Students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and values will be enhanced and all will be encouraged to set goals that maximises their potential. When our students leave we want them to have the ability to be successful in life. We want them to look back at their time at Botany Downs Secondary College with fondness and remember the great experiences they have had and treasure the opportunities that were given to them.
Mike Leach PRINCIPAL
PHILOSOPHY These key elements are at the heart of our school: • The quality of relationships that are developed among all the participants within the learning community • The support and involvement of parents, friends of the school and wider community At Botany Downs Secondary College we aim to develop young men and women as people who will graduate as independent learners able and willing to make a constructive contribution to society. They will graduate with: A backpack of personal qualities • Service • Honesty • Respect • Perseverance • Sensitivity • Compassion • Fairness • Interpersonal skills
• • • • • • • •
Confidence Direction Self esteem Flexibility Leadership Balance Resilience Ethics and values
A toolkit of skills A briefcase of qualifications • Metacognitive approaches • Aspirations to achieve at the highest level • Communication skills • Valuable and worthwhile qualifications • Social Competencies • Life Skills • Literacy-Information/ Digital/Technological
The School Logo The logo reflects our philosophy: The design started from the Greek alphabet using the circles of the Beta and Delta characters, and the overlapping circular shapes echo the traditional role of the educator and the student. • The inner circle is the student • The outer circle represents the nurturing and educating by teachers • The outer shape links the two circles, envelops the whole school community and is pointing towards the future Botany Downs Secondary College is committed to building strong future prospects for our students, the citizens and leaders of tomorrow. It is our belief that all students have a potential well beyond the levels of current performance and we wish to work with them to develop their wider range of talents, skills and abilities. We hope students themselves will develop a passion for learning. Every student needs to have their intellectual skills developed and we provide opportunities for self-directed and selfpaced learning along with collaborative studies. We believe that instruction in thinking skills and their infusion across the whole curriculum enables learners to adapt to rapid change in technology, and new challenges in an increasingly complex world. Life skills are also vital in building futures and we facilitate the development of the whole person through the Whanau, mentoring, co-curricular activities and leadership. High levels of communication and regular interaction between home and school provide a strong web of support for each student.
DESIGN FOR LEARNING The Whanau to Nurture Students • • • •
The Whanau develops the concepts of a “school within a school” and “home away from home” Classrooms are built around a “Commons” space on the ground floor used for recreation and teaching and learning, especially collaborative learning Sliding glass doors open the classrooms to the Commons allowing for flexible use of space and openness All facilities are accessible to people with physical disabilities
Facilities Designed for Curriculum Delivery and Pastoral Care • • • • • • • •
The second floor of each Whanau contains specialist teaching areas - classrooms are based around a “Breakout” area providing further flexibility of teaching/learning spaces, especially the development of independent student learning Faculty resource rooms facilitate collaborative planning The Library and Study Centre is at the heart of the school A high specification Theatre and Performing Arts complex Gymnasium with full size court, weights room and teaching classroom A future proofed technology infrastructure which enables ICT access anywhere anytime Learner Support for individual programmes, Special Needs and the Gifted and Talented Student Services Centre comprising of a health centre, guidance and careers counselling
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) At Botany Downs Secondary College ICT is an integral part of the life of the school, for the teaching and learning programmes, administration and communication with our parent community. Training is ongoing for all staff and students to make the most of the developing technologies. Students have individual access to the network, with copy and print capabilities.
ANY TEACHER
OUR LIBRARY All classrooms in the College are connected to the school network. Staff have both cable and wireless access to the network to enable staff to move freely, creating truly flexible learning areas. Access to the Learning Management System(LMS), the college intranet, gives students and staff access to learning resources and school information from within the college and from home e.g. lesson handouts, powerpoint presentations, assessment calendar and assignments. A feature of each Whanau is the IT pod situated on the ground floor. Each computer pod has 12 computers, in addition to the computers in the general classrooms, and the Study Centre. The second floor specialist areas have 12 computers in the Breakout area. Interactive Whiteboards and data projectors add a new dimension to curriculum delivery in the classroom.The school’s Daily Notices are streamed into and displayed on plasma screens in each Whanau Commons.
ANY CLASSROOM
ANY STUDENT
BDSC NETWORK ANY HOME
ONLINE RESOURCES ANY COMPUTER
INTERNET
STUDENT LEARNING Aims • To explore the seven essential learning areas and essential skills of the New Zealand Curriculum Framework, plus an explicit and integrated Thinking and Learning curriculum • To encourage students to select a broad and balanced programme of study • Tomonitor and support students’ academic work through strong pastoral care including individual mentoring • To set high academic expectations and to ensure results from national qualifications are among the best in the country YEAR 9
YEAR 10
Compulsory Subjects
Compulsory Subjects English Health and Physical Education Mathematics Science Social Studies
English Health and Physical Education Languages French & Japanese or ESOL* Mathematics Science Social Studies
Options – selection to equal 3 full year courses HALF YEAR COURSES Creative Writing Greek Mythology Journalism
Media Studies (radio) Outdoor Education Sports Leadership
Technology* Visualand Performing Arts*
*Visual and Performing Arts = Music, Art, Dance and Drama *ESOL = English for Speakers of Other Languages *Technology = Food, Graphics, Hard Materials, Textiles
FULL YEAR COURSES Ancient Civilisations Art - Practical Business Studies Dance Drama Electronics ESOL Financial Studies Food Technology
French Graphics Investigative Geography Japanese Media Studies (film) Multi Materials Technology Textiles Technology Music Physical Education Option
Curriculum for Years 11-13 Learning Areas
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13
English
English English-Foundation ESOL English
Abridged English Level 2 English for ESOL Level 2 English A band Level 2 English B band Journalism Media Studies
Level 3 English A band Level 3 English B band Level 2 English for Y13 Journalism Media Studies
Languages
French Japanese
French Japanese
French Japanese
Mathematics
Mathematics Mathematics – Alternative Maths – Foundation
FoundationMaths Mathematics Mathematics – Alternative Mathematics – Extention
Maths with Calculus Maths with Calculus – alt. Statistics and Modelling Statistics and Modelling – alt
Science
HumanBiology Science Science – Double option Science – Foundation
Biology Chemistry Electronics Physics Science
Biology Chemistry Electronics Physics Science
Social Sciences
Accounting Business Enterprise Economics Employment Skills Geography History
Accounting Business Operations Classical Studies Economics Financial Literacy Geography History Legal Studies Travel and Tourism
Accounting Business Management Classical Studies Economics Geography History Travel and Tourism
Technology
Fashion & Design Food and Hospitality FoodTechnology Graphics ICT Technology – Hard Materials
Automotive Engineering Fashion DesignTechnology Foodand Hospitality FoodTechnology Graphics ICT Technology – Hard Materials
Automotive Engineering Fashion Design Technology Food & Hospitality Food Technology Graphics ICT Materials Technology
The Arts
Art Practical Dance Drama Music Photography
Art History Dance Drama Music Photography VisualArt
Art History Dance Drama Photography Practical Music Music Studies VisualArt
Physical & Personal Development
Core Health & Phys. Educ. Health Education Physical Education
Health Education Outdoor Education Physical Education
Health Education Outdoor Education Physical Education
STUDENT LEARNING Curriculum Enrichment Learning to Learn (L2L) The Learn to Learn programme is designed to improve the quality of student learning and is based on research and best practice incorporating the strategies of leading educationalists. The weekly Learn 2 Learn programme is further supported by an integration of the thinking skills across all curriculum areas. The five year programme is based on the development of critical and strategic thinking and creative problem solving including elements from the Habits of Mind, CoRT, Cognitive Research Trust, ethical issues, Bloom’s and Solo taxonomies.
Gifted & Talented Programme Botany Downs Secondary College provides challenging programmes to stimulate learning and extend gifted and talented students to reach their potential. To cater specifically for the needs of gifted and talented students the College: • Creates accelerated academic classes • Provides withdrawal and extension days in each Learning Area • Encourages participation in external competitions e.g. ICAS examinations in English, Mathematics and Science • Encourages participation in co-curricular activities e.g. Community Atlas Project, Mathex competitions, Science Crest Awards, Debating • Encourages compacting and differentiation of the curriculum where appropriate • Encourages the acceleration of students through levels of work in advance of their peers where this is appropriate The withdrawal and enrichment programme provides students with stimulating, authentic learning experiences in subjects in which they have demonstrated high levels of potential. The table below gives examples of some of these learning experiences at the College over the past two years. English
Writing and acting workshops with well known authors, debating workshops, spelling competitions, Shakespeare workshops, poetry workshops, school magazine production.
Health and Physical Education Coaching programmes, fitness programmes. Languages
French and Japanese workshops producing scripts, story boards and movie clips, web page design in a foreign language.
Mathematics
Problem solving workshops, mathematical connections workshops, mathematical investigations.
Science
Investigations of the digestive system, Investigations using data loggers and Data Studio, DNA extraction and forensics workshops, chemical reactions, waterways monitoring workshops.
Social Sciences
Use of GIS to map themes in the local community, Community Atlas Project, field research on historical, geographic and economic themes in the Bay of Islands.
Technology
ICT Panasonic movie day, designing and carrying out a plan for a three course meal, drawing techniques in graphics.
Visual and Performing Arts
Composing workshops, hip hop workshops, drama theatre workshops, mixed media workshops in art
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME In order to develop and enhance citizenship and have values of the college, BDSC is continuing to develop a comprehensive and first class co-curricular programme. This programme provides opportunities for students to experience and develop skills and qualities through their active participation in activities beyong the classroom. In order to nurture personal growth and provide a quality all round education, students are expected to commit, contribute and lead. These opportunities allow students to develop the personal qualities of the BDSC graduate.
Arts/Cultural
Service & Leadership
• Band • Debating • Hip Hop • Kapa Haka Group • Korean Drums • Magazine • Maori Cultural Group
• Coaching • Leadership Programme • Library • Umpiring • Young New Zealand Challenge
SOCCER
CHESS DANCE
OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
INDIAN DANCE GROUP Sports
ORCHESTRA • Chinese Dancing • Production • Samoan Cultural Group • Stage Challenge • Theatre Sports • Wearable Arts • Writing
• Aerobics • Athletics • Badminton • Basketball • Cricket • Cross country • Equestrian • Petanque
• Snowboarding • Softball • Squash • Swimming • Tennis • Touch • Triathlon • Volleyball • Waterpolo
NETBALL
RUGBY HOCKEY
The Whanau system is at the heart of the school and is the foundation of our holistic approach to student education. The Whanau is a school within a school where students are part of a smaller group of 250 students, rather than being one of 1500. Students are placed in a Whanau where they become part of an extended family of teachers and students of all year levels and they remain in this Whanau during their years at school, developing a sense of belonging and loyalty. The school is designed with six, two storey Whanau House buildings. The second floor contains specialist teaching rooms and the ground floor has five teaching classrooms surrounding a Commons space. The Commons area is a home away from home and provides a recreational living space for students to gather in before and after school and during breaks in the school day. During class time the space provides a breakout area for the surrounding classrooms. It is also the venue for weekly Assemblies where student successes are celebrated and “housekeeping� matters discussed. Each Whanau is led by a Whanau Leader who is responsible for the pastoral care, academic monitoring and discipline of each student. The teachers in the Whanau mentor students individually and are the people who know the students the best, remaining associated with the students and their families for the five years they are in the school. Where possible the school places siblings within the same Whanau The Whanau Leader and Whanau Mentors are the primary contact point for families and they will be reporting regularly on all aspects of student progress. Parents should feel free to contact their Whanau Leader by phone or e-mail with any queries or concerns regarding their child. Students make a contribution to their Whanau, the School, the community, and develop leadership through the co-curricular programme and the Whanau Committees. Each Whanau has a complement of the following; Arts Committee, Cultural Committee, Environment Committee, ICT Committee, Service Committee and Sports Committee. Each House also has a Student Council which consists of representatives from each whanau class. Members of this Council represent whanau student interest in the Principal’s Lead Group.
THE WHANAU
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
PASTORAL CARE
MENTORING
SUCCESS CELEBRATED
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WHANAU FOCUS
ICT COMMITTEE
ARTS COMMITTEE
CULTURAL COMMITTEE
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
SERVICE COMMITTEE
SPORTS COMMITTEE
UNIFORM
Every student will wear correct school uniform. This applies to students who are: • Attending school. • Travelling to or from school. • Attending school functions.
JUNIOR UNIFORM
All items of the school uniform including the sportswear range are available from the on site Uniform Shop
SENIOR UNIFORM
575 Chapel Road, Howick, Auckland www.bdsc.school.nz Phone (09) 273 2310, Fax (09) 273 8551