Christian secondary school courses grades 9 & 10

GRADES 9 & 10

In Grades 9 & 10 pupils continue the same basic course as in the Primary School. Our aim is to lay a solid foundation of knowledge and skill so as to equip pupils with those sound work skills and habits that are essential for senior students and those beginning work.

Pupils take a comprehensive course that covers academic and practical subjects. It is structured around the five Main Subjects, which are each taught for 2 to 4 hours weekly. Other subjects are taught throughout the year for up to 2 hours weekly. Some of these subjects are offered for one term only per year. All subjects offered in Grades 9 & 10 are compulsory.

Main Subjects

Bible: The Bible course instructs pupils in the basics of Bible knowledge with a special emphasis on how the Bible sheds light on their school studies and equips them for serving Christ in their ultimate vocations.

English: This course covers the skills of speaking and writing good English and the appreciation of English literature.

Mathematics: Continuing the development of skills and knowledge across the whole spectrum of mathematics.

History: This course continues the Culture course developed in the primary years: the study of man's response to God in the way he lives his life. Although there is a special emphasis on history, current events are also included.

Science: This component of the course is offered through the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) programme. Please refer to the Grades 11 to 13 course outline for more information.

Other Subjects

Short Courses, designed to introduce pupils to a range of subjects beyond the basics, are offered in a balanced range of courses. Some may be available in Grades 11 to 13 as full subjects. Our aim with each short course is to equip pupils with a foundation of basic knowledge and skill for recreational or personal use, or for career options in the future. The following are offered throughout the year: French or a language of the student's choice (taken through the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) programme), Geography, Information Management, Physical Care, and Accounting/Economics. Short Courses are offered for up to 1 term, on a two-year alternating programme, including the following subjects: Art, Music, and Lifeskills which includes: Basic First Aid, Bushcraft, Home Economics, Horticulture, Agriculture, Home Maintenance, Motor Maintenance, Technicraft.

GRADES 11 to 13

Two components of the course, Bible and Information Management, are offered by Tyndale Park Christian School teachers and the balance is through the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) programme.

Bible is taught for two hours weekly and forms a basis for pupils' approach to other subjects. In this course we aim not only to give students a general knowledge of the Bible and its key teachings, but also to train them to use that knowledge to direct their study and work in the service of Christ.

The Information Management course, which builds on keyboarding skills previously gained, covers use of a computer to prepare, process and present realistic business documents with speed and accuracy, using a wide range of word processing functions. Students are prepared for the CETA Examinations.

The Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) programme is a complete programme of individualised curriculum materials, introduced to Tyndale Park Christian School, for Year 11 to Year 13 students, as from 2004.

One of the main principles of the A.C.E. curriculum is that students work at their own achievement level and this can differ from subject to subject. On completing diagnostic tests to determine learning gaps and achievement levels, each student is given an individual academic prescription that will meet his individual needs ensuring that he works at his own achievement level. The nature of the curriculum also allows students to work at their own pace according to their own ability. It is able to meet the individual needs of each student.

Advancement through the A.C.E. programme is attained only through learning. Only when a student has sufficiently mastered the contents of a PACE can he advance to the next PACE in the full scope and sequence curriculum. This usually provides security from failure.

Each subject is presented in a series of self-instructional workbooks, called PACEs (Packets of Accelerated Christian Education), progressively graduated so that new concepts and truths build upon previously mastered ones - mastery learning. A student will normally complete twelve PACEs in five or more subjects a year; each group of twelve secondary level PACEs being counted as 1 credit towards an A.C.E. certificate. The standard required to demonstrate mastery is high, with a minimum pass mark of 80% in each PACE test (90% for Word Building) required before a student is permitted to proceed to the next unit of work.

One of the features of the A.C.E. curriculum is that it incorporates character building and wisdom principles. Christian truths and Biblical principles are integrated through all subjects. Each PACE emphasises one of sixty character traits identifiable in the life of Christ and these are reinforced by a Scripture passage.

The programme is built on five basic laws of learning:

The following is a list of the A.C.E. Certificates available in New Zealand:

The following requirements are for students aiming for the foundational Certificate of Academic Achievement NZ Year 11:

(These first two are offered and taught by Tyndale Park Christian School teachers, the balance is offered through A.C.E.)

EXAMINATIONS, AWARDS & CERTIFICATES

Tyndale Park Christian School provides a range of certificates and examinations that both challenge pupils to achieve their potential, and give proper recognition to their proven abilities.

The A.C.E. Academic Certificates, which are recognised by the Ministry of Education, are listed below in comparison with qualifications available at the same level. The information is from a document prepared by the Ministry of Education's Data Management Unit.

Year 11:

Year 12:

The Year 12 Certificate of the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) has been assessed by the NZ Vice Chancellor's Committee and a student achieving this certificate is eligible to be considered for provisional entrance by a NZ university.

Year 13:

The Year 13 Certificate of the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) is accepted by the New Zealand universities for admission ad eundem statum at entrance level. This means that for the purposes of entrance to a university the qualification is deemed to be equivalent to the officially-established common entrance standard in this country.

Institutions of Higher Learning which have accepted Students with A.C.E. Certificates include:
Auckland University, Massey University, North Shore School of Nursing, AIT Nursing, Manukau Institute of Technology, Masters Institute (Teacher's College), Bethlehem Institute of Education, NZ Army, RNZAF along with over 20 other institutions throughout the country.

Scholastic Aptitude Tests

During the last year of their studies, students on the A.C.E. programme, planning to pursue tertiary studies, often sit the American Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). These tests have been used by universities to assess the suitability of candidates for tertiary studies since 1926. The SAT gives the student a score by which tertiary institutions worldwide can assess their capacity for tertiary studies. Further information on the SAT may be obtained by visiting the College Board web site at: www.collegeboard.com.

CETA

The New Zealand Commerce and Economics Teachers Association Inc offers examinations in Information Management at three levels. Examinations are available in June and October each year.