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LEARNING at SMC

Course options for all year levels are available on School Point. 

St Mary’s College is an academic school where achievement at the highest level is valued and the diversity of student ability is acknowledged. 

St Mary’s College is committed to:

  • academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally.     
  • Providing holistic courses of study that educate the students
  • Meeting National Curriculum goals and objectives and giving due recognition to New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage.
  • Offering students a broad general education which will enable them to specialise later in the fields of their choice.
  • Ensuring that courses of study at each level will allow every student to develop their talents.
  • Putting in place personalised programmes that will assist individual students to achieve their potential.

In Year 9 and 10 students are offered an exciting structured programme that prepares them for future choices of study in the senior school. Year 9 students follow the St Mary’s College curriculum of Religious Education, Tikanga, English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science and Social Studies as well as a language choice. In addition, students sample Art, Music, Drama, Food & Nutrition, Design Technology, Digital Technology and STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, the Arts and Maths as inquiry learning).

From Year 11, students enter internally assessed standards and external examinations for NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement). Our results are consistently high for decile 8-10 girls’ schools in New Zealand.

All students in Years 9 to 13 have at least two and a half hours of Religious Studies in classes per week.

Our Pathways Programme/Ngā Rapuara:

The name Ngā Rapuara - searching the many pathways, tells us the purpose of this course in it’s very name. Our Pathways course endeavours to give learners the opportunity to develop their Career Management competencies. Through exploring their personal interests, skills and strengths, students can experience the world of employment and opportunities for further study first hand. Students can access workplace exposure and career exploration. Students will also have the opportunity to access tertiary based learning and industry based assessment through a variety of courses and learning opportunities.

Learning Support - supporting our students' progress

St Mary’s College has an experienced and creative Learning Support Department. Our staff work alongside Subject and Mentor teachers to coordinate specialist learning for students.
If needed, we arrange eLearning programmes with outside providers to provide curriculum extension if a student’s learning needs cannot be met within the college.
Our Learning Support Team liases with contributing schools to ensure students’ learning needs are identified and catered for. We have strong links with outside agencies and are able to offer a supported transition programme beyond the college.


Year 9  Core Subjects:

  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Sciences

Year 9 Technology Rotation:

  • Food Technology
  • Design Technology
  • Digital Technologies

Year 9 Arts Rotation:

  • Visual Art
  • Music
  • Drama

Year 9 Language Options:

  • Te Reo Māori
  • French
  • Samoan
  • Japanese
    Year 9 & 10 Core Subjects:
  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Sciences
    Year 10 Options:
  • STEAM
  • Food Technology
  • Design Technology
  • Digital Technologies
  • Visual Art
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Te Reo Māori
  • French
  • Samoan
  • ​​​​​​​Japanese​​​​​​​
  • Economics

Year 9 Subjects:

  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Sciences

Year 9 Technology Semester Rotation:

  • Food Technology
  • Design Technology
  • Digital Technologies

Year 9 Arts Semester Rotation:

  • Visual Art
  • Music
  • Drama

Year 9 Language Options:

  • Te Reo Māori
  • French
  • Samoan
  • Japanese

Year 10 Subjects:

  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Sciences

    Year 10 Options:
  • STEAM
  • Food Technology
  • Design Technology
  • Digital Technologies
  • Visual Art
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Te Reo Māori
  • French
  • Samoan
  • ​​​​​​​Japanese​​​​​​​
  • Economics