Courses

Some examples...

Formula One - Kids’ Style: Maggie Dickison
Ever wondered about the organisation that goes behind a Formula 1 Race? Well, this is your opportunity to experience it first hand. Unlimited has been invited to be the ‘host school’ for the 2009 Formula Fun Race - have a look at www.thecleanprix.com. As well as planning and organising the event, we’ll be liaising with other NZ schools and local businesses. This class needs determined, hard working and focused students who will be committed to an event that will take place in September 2009. - Foundation Economics, Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

Through Anarchy In The UK I Managed The Sex Pistols: Braden Faavae
Punk emerged from an English society steeped in severe unemployment. Dissatisfaction amongst the youth with their country’s conservative and often hypocritical values. It was later hijacked by the ‘bovver-boys’ - racist thugs who attacked ethnic minorities who had emigrated in search of jobs and a new life. Punk began with the pioneers. It was later absorbed into mainstream. It was almost universally loathed by conservatives, police and most parents. But not entrepreneurs. The new punk era was a chance for business opportunity and people like Malcom Mclaren capitalised. A case study of music, clothes, culture, coin and change. - Foundation Music

Philosophy: Does God Exist? Brent Silby
Does God exist? This is one of the ultimate questions that most people grapple with at some point in their lives. We are atheists about Zeus, Osiris, Thor, and Amenra. Perhaps it would be rational to add one more god to the list. In this Philosophy course, students examine the standard arguments for and against the existence of God and decide for themselves whether belief in God can be rationally justi�ed. - Philosophy, English, Science, Religious Studies

Stalking is easy - Obsession Part I: Steven Mustor
This course begins our 10 week course on the theme of obsession. We will set the scene by exploring obsession in our own lives. We will also view a range of visual texts that deal with obsessive characters, behaviours and filmic devices. This course is essential for students intending to sit external NCEA Level 2 English exams on novels, poetry and film. - Level 2 English

Structure

Most of our courses run in five-week blocks, these blocks equate to half of a standard school term. Some courses will make use of a ten-week block by running over two consecutive blocks. We offer many holistic and integrated programmes of learning, where the subject is embedded in contextual real-world learning. Students can elect to "dip their toes" into a course for one five-week block, or take courses for longer periods, essentially completing a full-year course or "major".

From 2010 we will be offering a range of Intensive courses, which will see students immersing themselves in full-time projects for several weeks. These projects will cover a range of curriculum areas and will also be assessed against NCEA standards (where appropriate).

Courses are assigned a level which corresponds to both the levels of the NZ Curriculum (of which there are eight) and to the levels of the National Qualifications Framework (of which there are ten).

Subjects

We offer courses of learning that cover all of the learning areas of the NZ Curriculum - English, mathematics & statistics, learning languages, science, technology, social sciences, the arts, and health & physical education.

There are two great places to check the structure and range of courses on offer at Unlimited.

1. Read through the Course Overviews for 2010.

2. The schedule. The schedule is divided in to eight half-term blocks.

Homework

Unlimited does not always designate homework like other high schools. This does not mean that you won’t have work to complete outside of modules and classes - you will! The difference is that the work you might do outside of class time is more likely to be focused on extending your learning, or will be stuff that you wish to work on to enhance your inquiry or project work. Learning happens when and wherever it is best, so it is not restricted to school buildings or school hours. Learning to use your time in an effective and balanced way is an important skill.

Where a module indicates that some assignments or work will need to be completed outside of class, all students are expected to complete the work to the best of their ability.

LAs work hard to provide assignments and learning experiences... they expect students to take the challenge and push themselves to excel!

If you are unable to complete an assignment it is a good idea to check with the LA concerned to see if you can have an extension of time, or if you can negotiate to hand other work in for feed-back and feed-forward.

Course Costs

Some courses at Unlimited attract extra course costs. For example: food and hospitality courses, outdoor education, courses where texts are prepared or required. Advanced level art courses may have costs where materials are not available from school, or advanced ICT courses using specialist software.

At the beginning of the year you will receive documentation regarding course costs for any applicable course you enrol in. If you take new courses later on in the year, the LA will also inform you of any costs.