HOF: Mrs A Chrisp
The purpose of the Optimal Learning Centre is to provide the opportunity for all students to reach their full potential
as learners at Pakuranga College. The Optimal Learning Centre generates programmes for gifted and talented
students and supports students with specific learning needs.
Students are identified as gifted and talented through several avenues, including recommendations from previous
schools, nomination by current teachers, parents or whanau, peer and/or self. Students who have been identified
are placed on our gifted and talented register and their progress is tracked. Junior school elective gifted programmes
are held weekly for 1 hour and include a variety of topics including the social and emotional needs of gifted students,
study skills, and time management, mentoring and University on Wheels.
Students may be accelerated in a subject, or by a whole year according to recommendations and testing. Parent
input and permission is always sought before a student begins multi-level learning, acceleration or extension classes.
Gifted and talented students who have learning difficulties or are underachieving are given appropriate assistance.
Learner Support meets the needs of students who are not in mainstream core subjects. Students work on their skills,
with the aim of joining mainstream classes whenever possible. The Optimal Learning Centre also supports students
with learning difficulties who are in the mainstream.
Learner Support has junior and senior classes that access core subjects with modifications to meet students’ individual
learning needs. English, maths, social studies and science courses are offered. Electives are accessed with teacher
aide support, should that be required.
Year 9 and 10 English (9ENO) (10ENO)
Students will work on a reading, writing, speaking and spelling programme, paying particular attention to
comprehension skills. Students will be given an opportunity to use computers to access the “Lexia Strategies for
Older Students” computer reading programme.
Level 1 English with Unit Standards (11ENO)
Students will be able to achieve 10 level 1 literacy credits. These 3 unit standards are assessed using a portfolio of
evidence of the student achieving the standards in authentic situations.
Year 9 and 10 Mathematics (9MTH) (10MTH)
The junior mathematics programme offered through the Optimal Learning Centre is a two year programme which
covers the six curriculum strands, three strands per year. The pace of this programme is decelerated to allow students
more time to process information, understand concepts and explain solutions.
Level 1 Mathematics with Achievement Standards (11MTH)
Content covered in this course builds on work covered in years 9 and 10. The entire course will be internally assessed
by achievement standards. Credits gained contribute to the compulsory 10 numeracy credits for level 1. Students
enrolling in this course are not eligible to enrol in 12MAT or 12MAS in 2013.
Years 9 and 10 Social Studies (9SLS) (10SLS)
The social studies programme follows the mainstream course but is personalised to take into account individual
abilities. The classwork is differentiated by pace and assessment.
Years 11 and 12 Supported Learning Units (11SLU) (12SLU)
Supported learning units are designed to cater for students with limited reading and writing skills. Students learn
life skills which will help them when they leave school. Students work on individual programmes according to their abilities.
Years 9 and 10 Extra Literacy Classes (9LIT) (10LIT)
These classes are offered, as the need arises, to mainstream students who are achieving below the level expected
for their age. It provides an hour of literacy each day for a term or semester in addition to their regular English
programme. Students are selected for this programme after recommendations from teachers and deans.