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    Senior Years 11 – 13

    Gateway & Vocational Courses

    • Gateway
    • Equine Studies
    • Marine Academy
    • Distance Learning
    • Trades Academy
    • Learning Support
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    Gateway

    Gateway provides students, where practible, with the opportunity of being engaged in purposeful and meaningful workplace learning across a wide range of industries and businesses while continuing to study at school.

    Programme Description:

    Gateway strengthens the pathways for students to progress from school to work or onto further tertiary study. Together we will develop a personalised learning plan for you, so you are expected to be self-motivated and an independent learner to achieve your outcomes.

    Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

    By completing structured workplace work experience, students will have a real understanding of what is required in the workplace, they will have gained some skill and knowledge in helping them decide on future pathways.

    Placements can be of varied lengths and are not guaranteed. An opportunity exists for selected students to participate in short courses such as industry specific packages, and/or a Health & Safety course.

    Skills and Capabilities:

    • Build skills for employment and working in real workplaces.
    • Punctuality - being on time for work placements. 
    • Taking responsibility for your attitude and your energy in a workplace.
    • Completing assessment materials independently and meeting deadlines.

    Possibly Links to:

    All areas of the MBAS curriculum will link with Gateway as we are working across all vocational pathways. Mathematics, Science, Hospitality, Horticulture, Tourism, History, Heath, Physical Education, Computing, Arts & Music. Possibly leads to: Part time or full employment, apprenticeships and/or further training and education with vocational providers

    Assessment Opportunities:

    Students will be able to achieve NCEA credits that can align with career interests, vocational pathways and support to gain life skills. Some Gateway packages are provided by Industry Training Organisations. The majority of assessments are completed in class.

    Contact: Sharon Porteous ph: 027 311 6054

    Equine Studies

    Programme Description:

    Equine Studies is for the student who loves everything about horses. Students can have the opportunity to gain a range of Equine knowledge, which may include, but not limited to: health & welfare; horse anatomy; horse feeds; preparing horses for exercise and showing; knowing and recognising poisonous plants and grasses.

    Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

    Students will be able to select Equine standards (in conjunction with the Equine Tutor) who will guide and facilitate the assessment learning, this will include an afternoon a week at Adventures with Four Feet in Coroglen, where the theory learning is put into practise with the horses. The learning outcomes will help prepare students to be confident in entry level jobs in the Equine industry

    Skills and Capabilities:

    • Gain skills in animal welfare and management of horses
    • Gain confidence working in a group or team
    • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

    Possibly Links to:

    Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Business Studies, Marketing.

    Possibly leads to :

    Entry level employment in the Equestrian Industry, Agriculture Farm work, Stud Stables, NZ Harness Racing Stables, Sporthorse, Tourism roles, Horse trekking, Saddlery.

    Assessment Opportunities:

    Assessments are industry based with practical assessments being signed off by our Equine Tutor Shannon Gregory at Adventures with Four Feet. Theory assessments are sent to Industry Training Provider.

    Contact: Sharon Porteous ph:027 311 6054

    Marine Academy

    Programme Description:

    The Marine Academy course provides both Y12 and Y13 students with the knowledge and skills required to safely enjoy scuba diving. Experienced professional dive instructors located at Dive Zone, Whitianga, provide all necessary equipment and training.

    Students follow the widely recognised PADI system of diver education gaining both PADI certification and NCEA credits. Diving theory will take place in the classroom using a variety of teaching resources including textbooks, DVD and PowerPoint presentations. Practical work begins in the swimming pool and progresses to shore dives quickly followed by boat dives.

    A range of experiences including a dive expedition and specialised diving techniques are available as students gain confidence and advance their skills. Through progressive training students will follow courses on night diving, deep diving and rescue diving. There will also be opportunities to learn about the marine environment as students identify fish species and carry out basic underwater research tasks using still and video cameras.

    Career Opportunities & General Life Skills:

    PADI Instructor, Commercial Diver (e.g. Aquaculture Diver) and an appropriate background for marine biology, eco-tourism and the fisheries industry. Students will develop respect and trust in others and will learn to work collaboratively and safely in a marine environment. Students will also be expected to take on responsibility and meet the challenges of learning new technical skills.

    Marine Academy – (Yr 12/13) Year 1

    This programme is open to both Y12 and Y13 students who have little or no diving experience. There are limited spaces available for this course and Year 13's will be given priority through the application process.

    PADI qualifications include:

    • PADI Open Water Diver
    • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

    Prerequisite: 

    Medical clearance from your GP. All applications must be approved by Deputy Principal, Mr. Wilkinson.

    There is a cost for this course, charged by DiveZone.

    Marine Academy – (Year 13) Year 2

    This programme is open to Y13 students who have successfully completed Year 1 of the Marine Academy. Alternatively, Y12 and Y13 students who have not completed Year 1 but who already hold the PADI Advanced Open Water certificate and have logged at least 10 dives will also be considered following interview.

    PADI qualifications include:

    • PADI Rescue Diver
    • PADI Master Scuba Diver

    Prerequisite:

    As Year 2 is a more demanding course students will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of fitness for performing diver rescues and will have also shown commitment, responsibility and aptitude to further advance their knowledge and skills.

    Co-requisite:

    Y12 and Y13 students who wish to take Marine Academy at either Year 1 or Year 2 must gain approval from both their Dean and the Deputy Principal. While the course does offer the ability for achieving credits, these credits should not replace the credits available in their other courses of study at the school. Marine Academy students are expected to complete all learning and assessments in all courses during the year. Speak to Mr Wilkinson for further details.

    The full year course provides the opportunity for achieving 43 NZQA credits at Level 3.

    There is a cost for this course, charged by DiveZone.

    Contact: Mike Wilkinson

    Distance Learning

    Students wishing to enrol in courses not available at MBAS might consider Distance Learning as an option. We use two distance learning providers: Te Kura, and Kōtui Ako, the Online Learning Community. Please consult their websites for a list of possible courses.

    Students must consult the e-dean Ms J Evans prior to submitting their 2023 Course application.

    • The Kōtui Ako courses fill up quickly. Enrolments need to be completed in November 2023.
    • Te Kura enrolments must be completed before the start of Term 1, 2024.

    Students wishing to undertake Distance Learning need to have demonstrated independent learning and self-monitoring skills. Some courses may have specific entry requirements and costs. You will need access to a laptop for your Distance Learning courses.

    Senior students wishing to enrol in language courses as beginners will be enrolled in a Year 9/10 foundation programme. Beginners will not be ready for NCEA until the foundation programme has been completed. This programme takes most senior students about one year, but can be completed more quickly if you are prepared to dedicate extra time to the programme.

    Please note: Enrolling in a new language may mean that the course will not contribute towards your NCEA.

    Contact: Judy Evans (e-Dean)

    Trades Academy (Te Pūkenga)

    The Waikato Trades Academy (WTA) is funded by the New Zealand Government to provide secondary students with the opportunity to study at both school and Wintec. WTA gives students a head start; gaining specific and practical experience and skills in an industry-based setting, and the opportunity to move directly into a job, apprenticeship, or further study, on completion of secondary school.

    As a WTA student, you can enrol in one of the programmes that WTA provides. This is an addition to your current school subject choice. You will be travelling to the Wintec campuses for practical, hands-on learning, typically one day a week. Wintec organises travel from MBAS, to Kopu (and/or Hamilton) and back to MBAS.

    The programmes available to MBAS and offered at the Kopu Campus are:

    This is available to Year 12 and Year 13 students (with limited spaces available). Selection is through Deans and the Deputy Principal.

    Contact: Mike Wilkinson

    Learning Support

    Year 11-13 New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (with an optional strand in Skills for Working)

    This qualification is intended for learners who require some form of support with their learning either through additional resources, specialised equipment or adapted teaching programmes. They are people with learning disabilities and include those with intellectual disability.

    Graduates will have the skills and knowledge for self-managed participation in everyday life in social, cultural, family/whanua and community contexts, with supervision. This includes the ability to apply these skills in educational and work contexts.

    Prerequisites:

    Y11-13 Ministry Funded students.

    Contact: Karen Johansen (Learning Support Co-ordinator)

    MBAS HOUSE POINTS

    House points after the Year 3-8 Cross Country.

    Buffalo 1573 points

    63/100

    Tainui 1617 points

    65/100

    Mercury 1829 points

    73/100

    Matahaorua 1141 points

    46/100