We provide:

• Commitment to community service
• Consistently high external examination results
• Encouragement at every level of ability
• Debating, public speaking and scripture reading
• Diversity of academic and vocational courses
• Sound academic education
• Learning programmes for students with special needs
• Teamwork and quality coaching
• Success in major sporting codes

Why a Year 7 to 13 School?

St Bernard’s College combines the best features of primary and secondary schooling for its students in Year 7 and 8. They have both a home-room environment and the extended specialist resources normally available only in secondary schools.
This helps the boys in Years 7 and 8 by giving them:

• • • The security and stability of a caring home-room class with a home-room teacher who teaches them for about half of the time
    • Access to a diverse range of experiences subjects and skills
    • Subject specialist teachers for the balance of the programme
    • The opportunity to establish clear and long-term goals that they can achieve by staying at the same school
    • Fully resourced science laboratories, art room, music suite, gymnasium and a state-of-the-art technology block
    • Many opportunities for music and other performing arts

This model also benefits the older boys, since the primary approach of mixed ability teaching emphasis on the form class and strong pastoral care are maintained throughout the school.

YEAR 9 AND BEYOND

From Year 9, students are taught by specialist teacher for their full programme. They are timetabled to move to different rooms and teachers each period. In Year 9, students study English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Physical Education, Art, Music, Health , and Computing. Year 9 students have the choice of studying one language.

As students advance beyond Year 9 they progressively get more options from which to choose in their course of study. In their senior years students are offered a wide range of subjects catering for diverse student interests and differing academic abilities.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

All Students undertake a programme in Religious Education.

The Religious Education programme is taught according to the Religious Education Curriculum authorised by the New Zealand Bishops’ Conference. This curriculum teaches students what the Catholic Church believes, celebrates, lives and prays.

The curriculum also assists young people to develop a relationship with God and to be living witnesses to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as members of the Catholic Church, always recognising that this depends on each person’s free faith response.

Through the Religious Education Department students participate in retreats, St Vincent de Paul Society and Roman Catholic initiation programmes. Leadership opportunities and the Young Catholic Leaders group in the College.

EXTENSION AND OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORT

Extension of Gifted or More Able Students – students who are gifted or more able are given opportunities for extension and enrichment. Students in Years 9 and 10 are placed into classes with consideration given to their academic abilities. In Years 11 and 13 a wide variety of options cater for students of all abilities. There are many opportunities for students to enter competitions in different subjects throughout the year. We are proud of the excellent results our students gain in these competitions.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LEARNING SUPPORT

St Bernard’s College makes a very strong commitment to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Those students who need extra assistance with English (as a second language) are assessed and an appropriate plan is put in place. In Years 9 and 10, students who have language difficulties are provided with additional English tuition.

Our Learning Support department is well resourced and has a caring family atmosphere. Students are carefully assessed to determine what assistance they require with their learning. Teacher aides help students in their learning. Individual education plans are set up for those students who need academic or behavior management assistance.

We empower our students through:

• • • Supporting inclusive learning
    • Using technology as a tool to assist students to engage in and apply their learning
    • Teaching students digital skills to research, create and demonstrate learning
    • Working collaboratively with specialists ( agencies : MOE RTLB CDS, BLENDZ, NZQA ), teachers, teacher aides, whanau and students to support individual learning
    • Assessing the diverse learning needs of students which is used to inform teaching and the student learning
    • Developing Individual programmes for students :
      • • Senior School Literacy, Numeracy and Foundation Skills
        • ORS and  Specific Learning Support programmes 7 to 10

COURSE STRUCTURE

• • 2023 Junior Course Structure
  • 2024 Senior Course Structure
  • 2024 Year 10 Option Booklet

ASSESSMENT BOOKLETS 2024 (Term 1 DAtes confirmed but all other dates subject to confirmation)

• • 2024 P & As Programme Booklet Level 1
  • 2024 P & As Programme Booklet Level 2
  • 2024 P & As Programme Booklet Level 3

ASSESSMENT BOOKLETS 2024 (Term 1 DAtes confirmed but all other dates subject to confirmation)

• • 2023 Senior Qualifications Handbook
  • Appeal Application Form
  • Application Missed Assessment

ASSESSMENT BOOKLETS 2024 (Term 1 DAtes confirmed but all other dates subject to confirmation)

• • 2024 Level 1 Programme Booklet
  • 2024 Level 2 Programme Book
  • 2024 Level 3 Programme Book

• St Bernard College’s Library and Information Centre caters for all year groups at the college.

library resources at st bernard’S cOLLEGE

• • 7000+ fiction and non fiction books
  • 12 desktop computers
  • Senior study area
  • Soft seating and beanbags for relaxed reading
  • Printer, photocopier and scanner for student use
  • Helpful and friendly staff to assist with research and queries

lIBRARY CATALOGUE AND RESEARCH HELP

E-resources for selected assignments and more detailed search options for research can be found via the Library Catalogue (Library OPAC).

epic nz

EPIC NZ is funded by the NZ government and gives NZ students access to a huge database of relevant, accurate and safe information (e.g. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Science in Context, Opposing Views in Context etc).

Students can access EPIC NZ from the college computers. Students who wish to access EPIC NZ at home will need the school-wide user name and password (not their individual school log-in). Students can get these details from the library.

In the event of a school closure, we will be working to the following plan for our learners to help them continue with their studies:

Setting up at home

We would be encouraging all learners to set themselves up with a daily structure.

Some suggestions:

• • • Set up a workspace
    • Stick to the school timetable
    • Students should have regular breaks including plenty of offline time
    • Students may need a support person such as a parent or close relative who can check on your progress

How will the learning work?

All departments are planning a range of activities for learners, and have also discussed how teachers will connect with students directly. This planning will be updated by teachers as necessary, depending on how long the school is closed.

Note that, in some practical subjects, it will not be possible to complete practical tasks that require the use of school facilities. Alternative tasks will be offered. We will not be attempting to replicate the school day in terms of workload or tasks. Teachers will be aiming for clear, simple tasks with a balance of self-paced activities and conversations to help learners stay connected to us and each other. The exact details will be managed by the individual departments. There will be differences in how we will interact with senior and junior students.

We have developed a Code of Conduct. It is important that students are aware of their responsibilities when working online.

Our Space Code of Conduct – Online Learning Environment

Seeking help from teachers

Students will generally be able to access their teacher at the times when their lessons are usually on. We will all follow the usual timetable.

The online platforms we will use are Google Classroom and Google Meet. Lessons details and how Google Meets will take place will be communicated through Google Classroom.

Assessment and NCEA

If assessments are usually set and submitted through Google Classroom then assignments submitted by students online will be marked as normal.

We are continuing to follow our NCEA assessment policy, in line with guidance from NZQA.  Should schools be closed for a period of time when assessments were going to be set, departments may defer assessment and alter deadlines. We will work to ensure that assessments continue to be reliably and consistently managed.

Technical Support and Email

We maybe able to provide some assistance. Please email byod@sbc.school.nz and we can see if we can assist.
In order for students to access their school email they need to go to the following link and put their school username and password in https://mail.sbc.school.nz/

Whānau support

You can support your student’s learning by checking in with them and their work plan each day. Help them stay connected to their teachers and each other. Encourage them to take breaks, seek fresh air and maintain a balance of online and offline time.

Study.com: Learning at home during a pandemic: This website also has some useful advice to support students and families with learning at home.