Our curriculum focuses on providing a broad base with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy at junior school, and allows for specialisation at the senior level:

• Involves extensive use of Information Technology
• Offers acceleration, extension and remedial support to meet a diverse range of needs
• Well supported by excellent facilities and resources
• A full programme, at all levels, of English Language Tuition (ELT) is available

Courses of Study

Challenging core subjects in the junior school progressively lead to a diverse range of subjects and freedom of choice in the senior school. Students receive advice and counselling in the choice of subjects that best fit their future study and career aspirations.

The courses of study at Palmerston North Boys’ High School aim to:

• Develop and enhance students’ literacy and numeracy skills
• Arouse interest and promote enquiry by providing relevant contexts
• Thoroughly and comprehensively prepare students for assessment
• Foster individual thinking and develop effective learning skills
• Promote tolerance and co-operation when working with others
• Integrate class work and study with sporting, cultural and other involvements and responsibilities
• Challenge young men to achieve to the best of their ability in all aspects of school life

Academic Options

NCEA
Our academic results in NCEA Level Two exceed the government benchmark target of 85% and are well above the achievement rates for both boys in the Manawatu/Wanganui region and boys nationally. Our academic results in NCEA Level Three are well above the achievement rates for both boys in the Manawatu/Wanganui region and boys nationally.

ACADEMIC ACCELERATE PROGRAMME
The Academic Accelerate Programme runs across all year levels and challenges our top academic performers by offering them courses of study in advance of their year level. Young men in the Academic Accelerate Programme will gain University Entrance in Year 12, and in Year 13 have the opportunity to study subjects at an advanced level in preparation for Scholarship examinations. University first year papers are offered in a range of subject areas.

SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship is the highest New Zealand qualification available to secondary school students. Young men from Palmerston North Boys’ High School are consistently awarded the majority of Scholarships achieved by boys in the Manawatu/Wanganui region.

UNIVERSITY LEVEL STUDY
Palmerston North Boys’ High School has developed a positive relationship with a number of New Zealand universities and university papers are taught in a number of subject areas at PNBHS by our staff members. Additionally, a number of young men complete papers outside of these offerings via distance learning.

LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAMME
The Learning Support Programme begins at Year 9 with a particular focus on the development of literacy and numeracy skills, a progression continuing into Year 10. At Year 11 the emphasis is on preparing students to gain NCEA Level Two. At Year 12, the Achievement Support Programme is specifically focused on providing assistance so that young men can gain the benchmark NCEA Level Two qualification.

VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, GATEWAY, TRADES ACADEMY AND STAR TASTER PROGRAMMES
The school offers a number of options in the senior school for students who want to pursue trade-related career options. The Gateway Programme for Year 13 students offers the chance to learn on the job, while pursuing a trade qualification. The Trades Academy Programme offers the opportunity for boys to try out a possible career pathway by undertaking programmes offered jointly by the school and a tertiary provider such as UCOL or the Primary Industry Training Organisation. Star “taster” programmes are offered to Year 11-13 students to enable them to explore future career options. The Year 13 Employment Pathways Programme assists young men to find post-secondary school employment in sectors identified in the Manawatu Regional Economic Growth Strategy.

JUNIOR SUBJECTS

YEAR 9	YEAR 10
Core Subjects:	Core Subjects:
English Mathematics Physical Education and Health or Sports Development Programme Science Social Studies	English Mathematics Health Physical Education or Sports Development Programme Science Social Studies
Core Modules:
Character Education Drama Information Communication Technology Te Ao Māori
Choose three from the following:	Choose four from the following:
English Enrichment English Language Tuition French Language German Language Japanese Language Te Ao Māori me ōna Tikanga Design & Visual Communication Workshop Metal Workshop Wood Agriculture & Horticulture Commerce Studies Visual Art Performance Music Music Studies	English Enrichment English Language Tuition French Language German Language Japanese Language Te Reo Māori/Hākinakina Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology Workshop Metal Workshop Wood New Zealand Studies Agriculture & Horticulture Commerce Studies Sport Science Studies Digital Art Visual Art Drama Performance Music Music Studies

SENIOR SUBJECTS

YEAR 11 (NCEA LEVEL 1)	YEAR 12 (NCEA LEVEL 2)	YEAR 13 (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Compulsory:	Compulsory:	No Compulsory Subjects
English or English Language Tuition Mathematics Hāuora Science	English or English Language Tuition
Choose three from the following:	Choose five from the following:	Choose five from the following:
French Language German Language Japanese Language Te Reo Māori Joinery Construction Mechanical Engineering Design & Visual Communication Electronics Technical Drawing Digital Technology Classical Studies Geography History Agriculture & Horticulture Biology Chemistry Physics Accounting AgriBusiness Business Studies Economics Health Sport Science Studies Digital Art Visual Art Drama Performance Music Māori Performing Arts	French Language German Language Japanese Language Te Reo Māori Media Studies Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology Technical Drawing Building Construction Joinery Construction Mechanical Engineering Gateway & STAR Trades Academy Classical Studies Geography History Electronics Agriculture & Horticulture General Science Biology Chemistry Physics Accounting AgriBusiness Applied Commerce Studies Business Studies Economics Calculus Mathematics Statistics Health High Performance Sport Sport Science Studies Sport & Exercise Studies Art History Design Painting Photography Drama Performance Music Māori Performing Arts Academic Support Programme	English or English Language Tuition French Language German Language Japanese Language Te Reo Māori Media Studies Building Construction Joinery Construction Mechanical Engineering Digital Technology Design & Visual Communication Employment Pathways Programme Gateway & STAR Trades Academy Classical Studies Geography History Biology Chemistry Electronics Agriculture & Horticulture Physics Accounting AgriBusiness Business Studies Economics Calculus Mathematics Statistics Health High Performance Sport Sport Science Studies Sport & Exercise Studies Art History Design Painting Photography Drama Performance Music Māori Performing Arts