Year 7 & 8

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Our Team:

HOL: Bea Carter-Judd

Teaching staff: Hannah Barry- Goss, Eloise Stewart & Holly Bryan

With a blend of expertise, energy, and wellbeing‑focused support, our Year 7 & 8 teachers empower learners to aim high and succeed.

 ASPIRE – Our Purpose

• What is the purpose of this department?
• How does it support the school vision and values?
• What do we want students to aspire to in this learning area?

At William Colenso College, our Year 7 & 8 programme reflects our core values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and hirangatanga. We create caring and connected learning environments that foster high expectations, helping students develop confidence, curiosity, and capability across the curriculum.

ACT – Teaching, Learning & Support

What students learn / How students learn

• Key teaching approaches
• Types of learning activities

Assessment & feedback

• How learning is assessed
• How feedback supports improvement

Support & extension

• Support available
• Extension opportunities

Students in Year 7 & 8 learn through engaging, purposeful experiences that build strong foundations across all learning areas. Our teaching reflects manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and hirangatanga by creating caring, connected, and high‑expectation classrooms.

Learning is active and collaborative, with a balance of explicit teaching, hands‑on tasks, and real‑world contexts. Assessment focuses on understanding progress and next steps, and feedback is clear and timely to support improvement.

Students are well supported through targeted help in literacy and numeracy, strong pastoral care, and structured routines. Extension opportunities offer deeper challenges, leadership experiences, and enrichment for learners who are ready for more.

ACHIEVE – Pathways & Outcomes

• Senior course options and qualifications
• Skills students develop
• Pathways beyond school
• Opportunities beyond the classroom

In Year 7 and 8, students develop strong foundational skills that support future pathways at William Colenso College and beyond. Learning across all curriculum areas builds capability in communication, problem‑solving, collaboration, and resilience, while helping students identify their emerging strengths and interests. 

Opportunities beyond the classroom, including kapa haka, cultural groups, sports teams, leadership roles, and service activities such as library support or enviro projects, further strengthen confidence, connection, and a sense of contribution to the school community.

Working in Partnership

We value strong partnerships with whānau and believe that student success is strengthened when we work together. In Year 7 and 8, families can support learning by encouraging regular attendance, talking with students about their goals and progress, and staying connected with teachers through open communication. Together, we help students feel supported, confident, and ready to do their best.