Term two is here, and it’s a really important time for junior learners to get organised and stay focused as they work towards their learning goals.

Year 9: Opportunity and challenge

The Rolleston College academic vision for a year 9 learner is centred around fostering an environment of opportunity and challenge, where learners are encouraged to embrace the journey of learning how to learn. It emphasises the importance of trying new things, cultivating positive relationships and building on prior literacy and numeracy skills.

This week saw our year 9s starting a new selected course—it has been fantastic seeing new skills being embraced by each learner!

Year 10: Delving deeper

The Rolleston College academic vision for a year 10 learner is continuing to foster a holistic educational experience that prioritizes the consolidation of literacy and numeracy skills while encouraging learners to delve deeper into various curriculum areas and begin to showcase expertise in specific subjects. 

Emphasis is placed on positively engaging in learning, promoting higher-order thinking skills, and providing opportunities for learners to continue to explore different pathways. The vision underscores the importance of building skills and knowledge essential for academic success in NCEA, thereby laying strong foundations for future academic pursuits.

Literacy and Numeracy exams

As mentioned in previous communication, some learners have been identified as being ready to sit either the Literacy Reading, Literacy Writing or Numeracy exams, and in some cases all of them!

If your teenager is not sitting them this time around, they will have an opportunity to sit them at a later stage. Research shows that sitting these exams when the learner is ‘ready’ gives them the best chance of success!

At Rolleston College we are really proud of our Literacy and Numeracy results from 2024—these are significantly higher than the national results.

Make sure you read this article if you have a learner sitting the May co-requisite exams.

How learners can get the best out of their learning in term two

• Preparation: Being on time to classes and bringing stationery and charged device will help learners be ready to learn each day.

• Participation: Take an active part in lessons—this could be sharing ideas, completing all set work or asking for help when needed.

• Progress: Keep moving forward, even when it feels tough. Focus on learning and improvement—every bit of effort counts.

• Personal Best: It’s not about being perfect; it’s about doing YOUR best.

Tips for success

✔ Share learning at home with whānau each night

✔ Find a quiet space to complete home learning without distractions

✔ Ask for help early—teachers are here to support you

✔ Celebrate the small wins—every bit of progress counts!

Parents and whānau: your encouragement makes a huge difference. Please help by checking in on deadlines/homework, supporting good learning habits at home, and celebrating the hard work your learner is putting in.

Together, by focusing on Preparation, Participation, Progress, and Personal Best, we can make term two a successful and positive learning term!