achievement with a high percentage of the overall grades being at Merit and Excellence level. There has been a dip in some areas where students have found things a bit more difficult and in the new health standards that were introduced at Level 1. Compared to the national average, we are achieving well and have made gains in standards where we have previously not performed as well. The boys continue to work hard and do their best to deal with the demands of a fully internally assessed subject. Around the Classes The junior programme for Year 9 and Year 10 continued as normal. The boys got into a range of activities and were challenged to create their own games, manage in-class competitions and experience different games from other cultures. Through it all, the key focal points of building a good skill base, applying good techniques and gaining a better understanding of tactics, became the common themes. The boys also continued their good work in Health lessons with the focus on exploring a range of issues and using the information to make good choices related to their own wellbeing. Whilst all this junior work was happening, a large amount of time and effort was also being put into designing and refining the new work and courses needed for the College Diploma. This diploma offers the department a new and exciting opportuntity to grow the subject area, as we look to branch out into other areas of our curriculum. In Year 11, the annual Stroke and Stride event returned with the boys performing to a very high standard. We built on the successful introduction of Strength and Conditioning into this course two years ago, with more scheduled sessions. These sessions were expertly run by the school Head Strength and Conditioning coach Kris Miller. Having his expertise available to work with the boys in the Fitness Centre was a huge positive and helped to tie in the Strength and Conditioning component with other aspects of the course. In the Year
we still managed to practise our crêpe making and ramen cooking skills. The Year 10s rose to the Croque Monsieur challenge and produced some very professional results. Robert Kidd made his own bread for this beloved French dish and ably assisted by his grandparents, added other French culinary classics to his repertoire. On an academic note Kosei Oikawa won the national Spanish speaking competition with his speech about what it was like to be a Japanese New Zealander. Teryl Yogeeswaran leaves the department after six years service teaching Spanish and next year Keri Campbell joins the department as a full time teacher of Te Reo. The boys have shown remarkable resilience and determination during yet another year of lockdown disruption. The seniors have been creative about their learning and the juniors have been patient and always good humoured. “La vie ce n’est pas d’attendre que les orages passent, c’est d’apprendre comment danser sous la pluie” (Sénèque) Susan Harding HoD Modern Languages PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH 2021 will undoubtedly go down as another year of uncertainy and change within the Physical
Education and Health Department. The continuing restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic meant the department was busy continuously redesigning teaching programmes, guidelines and expectations to ensure that we were operating safely and effectively within our new norm. The restrictions placed on us due to Covid-19 once again highlighted the current capacity issues and although we were utilising all available spaces (pool, gym, fitness centre, table tennis room and outdoor spaces) we were limited as to what programme we could deliver. 2021 did however offer us a large ray of hope with the designs for the new Upper West Sports facility being finished and the tender process started for the construction. This new facility will allow the Physical Education, Sport and Wellbeing programmes to grow further and develop into new areas. Staff changes The department saw a small change this year, welcoming Lionel Randall to our staff. Lionel joined us from Auckland Grammar and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in water polo, having previously coached it to national level. The department looks forward to benefiting from this knowledge as we continue to develop and evolve our curriculum. Achievement Overall the boys are still achieving at a good level compared to similar schools. There is a steady level of
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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