Learning Areas

In Years 9 and 10 English, our focus is on developing effective communication skills, including understanding information (listening, reading, and viewing) and creating meaning (speaking, writing, and presenting). Programmes are tailored to students’ abilities, interests, and needs, with a focus on improving literacy skills in a range of contexts.

Our English teachers are part of the Te Ara Tuhura Cluster, using the Learn, Create, Share framework, and have participated in the Ministry of Education’s ALL Programme to enhance literacy outcomes. Across all year groups, we develop students’ understanding of text purposes, ideas, language features, and structures to meet academic goals, including NCEA credits, University Entrance, and Scholarship qualifications.

The Sciences Learning Area offers a wide variety of Science programmes from Year 9  to Year 13. 

At Mairehau High School, the Science Learning Area consists of Junior Science, Year 11 Science, Senior Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science is compulsory for students in Years 9-11 and optional from Year 12.

Our courses provide authentic, collaborative and independent learning opportunities. These enable students to develop their Science Capabilities, Scientific Literacy, and a lifelong interest in Science. Students are provided with opportunities to follow pathways from school to tertiary institutions and industry.

The aim of technology in education is to encourage students to use a variety of means to adapt to practical problems in society. 

It encourages risk taking, lateral and divergent thinking, the development of multiple solutions to problems, trial and error, teamwork, and the management of resources effectively and efficiently.

The Mathematics learning area offers a wide variety of Mathematics and Statistics programmes from Year 11  to Year 13. Each class is tailored to fit the needs of the students.  At Year 12 and 13 there is the opportunity to begin to specialize by doing both Mathematics and Statistics in separate courses.

Junior Mathematics covers all strands of the curriculum with the focus of gaining core skills and applying these to real life situations.

Students are also offered the opportunity to go to Cantamaths and enter a variety of international and national individual competitions.

Within Humanities, Mātauranga pūkenga tangata, we aim to approach a range of concepts surrounding the influence, development, and changes that occur within different societies. 

Junior students study a mix of the humanities which is guided by student interest. 

Senior topics include: History, Geography, Media Studies, Senior Social Studies and Tourism.

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Within the Arts, Nga Toi, we aim to introduce and extend student interest and capability in the Arts .

At Mairehau High School, the Arts Learning team consists of Music, Art, Photography, and Performing Arts including Drama and Dance.

Each of these subjects run compulsory courses for one term in year 9 and thereafter students have the opportunity to choose from Art, Performing Arts and Music at Years 10 to 13, and Photography at Levels 2 and 3. 

Our courses cater to the needs of our students by designing  courses relevant to their interests and skills and  to furthering their capacity for lifelong learning.

Within languages, we aim to expand our students' understanding of the world around them. Languages are intertwined within cultures and the context of where they are used, developing with complex human identities.

By learning a language, students come to appreciate different cultures and learn new ways of thinking about, questioning, and interpreting the world and their place in it.

At Mairehau we currently offer Te Reo Māori from year 9-13 and Japanese year 9-10.