St Peter's College Science

Faculty Staff

Mrs Vicki Bearman (Laboratory Technician) , technician, information and reporting manager  

Mr Kevin Barker ( Head of Faculty)

Mr Andrew Brown, biology and science  

Mr Neil Finnigan, science and chemistry teacher, year 13 dean

Mr Alan Henry, science and chemistry teacher 

Ms Susannah Garlick

Mr Donald Niven, physics teacher and extra curricula co-ordinator 

Mr Tristan O'Hanlon

Mr Mathew Cassidy

The Science Faculty at St Peter's College seeks to:  

•  provide an environment in which all students can reach their full potential  

•  help students to develop their scientific knowledge  

•  encourage students to develop their skills and the attitudes needed for scientific investigation 

•  promote science as a fundamental part of their everyday lives  

•  provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with new science and technology  

•  help students to explore issues and to make responsible and considered decisions about the use of science and technology in the environment

•  provide the opportunity for students to achieve top quality qualifications

•  provide students with ideas of future career paths within science and technology

2007 Faculty Goals 

SCIENCE COURSES:           
 

Year 7 Science:

Timetabled for two periods per week. Homeroom teachers to deliver science curriculum. CIE checkpoint course followed.

Year 8 Science:

Timetabled for three periods per week. Continuation of CIE checkpoint curriculum. Specialist teachers and homeroom teacher delivery.

Year 9 Science:

Science is timetabled four times a week for all year nine classes. CIE checkpoint curriculum is delivered by specialist science staff. 

Year 10 Science:

Science is timetabled four times a week for all year ten classes. Curriculum is delivered by specialist science staff. Two pathways exist. Year one of IGSCE co-ordinated science course for three top streamed classes. For un streamed classes not in the CIE pathway topics are how to be a scientist, the living world, the heat is on, reaction time, all in the genes, being a scientist(science fair), sweet and sour, how things work, the food makers and electrickery.  

Year 11 Science:

Two pathways are possible. One follows the second year of study towards the double award CIE IGSCE co-ordinated science course. The other pathway is in New Zealand 's NCEA pathway. NCEA level one science where four classes take this option. Achievement standards assessed include Science 1.1, 1.3 ,1.4 , 1.6 & 1.7,   Physics 1.1, total credits 25. 8 credits are internally assessed and 17 are externally assessed. In 2007 we are not running an alternative course which uses unit standards and follows the NZASE curriculum. 

Year 12 and 13 NCEA Pathway

NCEA Level's 2 and 3 are part of New Zealand 's Curriculum Framework. A complex structure of internally and externally assessed unit and achievement standards.

Year 12 Level 2 Physics:

This course is part of the NCEA pathway. It comprises a 22 credit course based on level two achievement standards, Physics 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6. In 2007 we currently have one class in this popular science subject. Entry is based on achievement in level one science and mathematics with a pass in S1.6 and or S1.7 essential.  

Year 12 Level 2 Chemistry:

A 22 credit course based on level two chemistry achievement standards. Entry requires achievement in level one science standards with a pass in S 1.4 essential. We have one level two chemistry course.  

Year 12 Level 2 Biology:

A 23 credit course based on level two biology and science standards. Entry requires achievement in level one science with a pass in S 1.3 essential. In 2007 have one level two biology courses.  

Year 12 Gateway Programme Science

A unit standard course which comprises 16 credits of internally assessed units from science, biology, physics and chemistry domains. We have one gateway class in 2007.

Year 13 Level 3 Physics:

A 26 credit course based on the level three physics achievement standards and one science unit standard. 8 credits are assessed internally and 18 are assessed externally. Entry requires achievement in level two mathematics and physics standards. A popular course we have one large class in 2007.  

Year 13 Level 3 Chemistry:

A 22 credit course based on the level three chemistry achievement standards. Entry requires achievement in level two chemistry achievement standards. Insufficient numbers have prevented us from running this course in 2007. 

Year 13 Level 3 Biology:

A 24 credit course based on level three biology achievement standards. We have one level three biology classes in 2007.

Year 12 and 13 CIE Pathway

CIE AS c ourses are a considerable step in terms of content and difficulty from IGSCE co-ordinated science. They are part of the Cambridge International Examinations a worldwide qualification sat by more than 8 million students annually.

AS Physics

We have three classes taking this demanding course in 2007. Minimum entry requirement is 65% or higher in IGSCE co-ordinated science and mathematics. The course is assesses from three papers, one is a two hour practical another is a multi choice test and another is a short answer examination.

AS Biology

We have three classes taking this demanding course in 2007. Minimum entry requirement is 65% or higher in IGSCE co-ordinated science and English. The course is assesses from three papers, one is a two hour practical another is a multi choice test and another is a short answer examination.

AS Biology

We have two classes taking this demanding course in 2007. Minimum entry requirement is 65% or higher in IGSCE co-ordinated science and mathematics. The course is assesses from three papers, one is a two hour practical another is a multi choice test and another is a short answer examination.

Future Course Changes:

•  The faculty is considering offering individual science IGSCE qualifications for year 11 students. Possibly introducing physics and/or chemistry IGSCE in 2008.

•  If numbers allow we would also like to offer the A level qualification(second year of study beyond AS Level) for science subjects minimum entry requirement for this full A level qualification would be a C pass (60% or higher) in AS sciences.

•  Year 11 NZASE science. It is hoped that we are able to offer this internally assesses unit standard course again in 2008. It is the first year of a programme of study that leads through to the gateway programme.

•  The department is using more internally assessed unit standard's as assessment tools in senior NCEA courses. In 2007 level 2 Gateway and chemistry and level 3 physics and biology courses have a larger internal content than in previous years.