Introduction to the Whole School

Directorates

Within Kristin, seven Directorates have been created to provide a distributive management model to significant areas of the school separate to the curriculum and not specific to any particular school (Junior, Middle, Senior). These Directorates are: School Relations, Sport, Performing Arts, the Library Information Centre (LIC), Information Communication Technology Services (ICTS), International and Chapel. You can learn more about the work each Directorate does, within these Whole School pages.

Faculties

Another 'Whole School' initiative are Faculties which span all three schools. These Faculties cover the entire range of subjects offered to students: Humanities and Commerce, English, Languages, Mathematics, Health and Physical Well-Being, Science and Art and Technology.

Humanities and Commerce
The Humanities and Commerce Faculty includes the areas of knowledge that study human aspects of the world through the application of scientific methods (Psychology and Geography) or by using methods that are largely analytic, critical, or speculative (Classical Studies, History, Economics and Business).

Click here for an example of extra opportunities that the Humanities and Commerce subjects relate to. In April 2010 a group of students travelled to Gallipoli and Southern Europe.

A Senior Community and Service trip also took place in April, students of Geography are often particularly interested in this opportunity. Click here for details.

A Middle School Cultural Tour of Beijing departed in June, click here for more details.

A Humanities and Commerce Vietnam Study Tour will be travelling in December, click here for details.

English

We know the importance of literacy. To understand and be understood is a characteristic of successfulness. Our NCEA students attend lectures on the texts they will study for external examinations while our IB Diploma students explore the richness of texts translated into English from other languages. At Kristin, we value oral language. From the Junior School to Year 13, our students are encouraged to impart their opinions, knowledge, even convictions at events such as the year level speech finals. These perspectives are valued by their peers, by their teachers and the large number of parents and friends who come to support them.

Languages

The advantages of speaking a second language are obvious to those who speak one (or two or more). A whole new world opens up where you can communicate with other people, discover another culture first hand, look at life from a different perspective and, in today's global society, broaden career and travel opportunities. Experiences in food, literature, film, music and much more are enriched with the benefit of language proficiency. In addition, as you learn more about other languages and cultures, you delight in the discovery of what your own language and culture have to offer.

Learning a second language is one of the eight learning areas of our New Zealand curriculum and a compulsory subject component of the PYP, MYP and Diploma IB programmes. A fundamental concept is to develop intercultural awareness amongst students and this is facilitated through the learning of a second language - students are encouraged not only to gain competence in a foreign language with the long-term goal of balanced bilingualism, but also to develop an understanding of and respect for their own countries and cultures, and those of others.

Mathematics

The Mathematics Faculty embraces the disciplines of both Mathematics and Computing. A natural progression from Mathematics in the IBPYP and Mathematics and Technology in the IBMYP leads to either an NCEA or IBDP pathway. In the Senior School students may study Mathematics and/or Information Technology for the NCEA or Mathematics and/or ITGS for the IBDP.

It was the ancient Greek philosopher, Proclus, who said “whenever there is number there is beauty” and it is through this beauty that we hope to engage, interest, stimulate and excite our students in their study of these subject areas. The Faculty staff are dedicated to ensuring a positive learning experience for all students irrespective of their potential.

Health and Physical Well-Being

The subjects in this Faculty include Health, Outdoor Education, Sports Studies, Physical Education, Sport Exercise and Health Science. One of the most exciting recent developments has been the beginning of the IBO pilot course, Sport Exercise and Health Science, along with a number of other schools from around the world. This course is a Group 4 course at the Diploma level and so has given us the opportunity to offer students the chance to study in-depth Human Sports Science.

In the subject of Religion, Ethics And Philosophy (REAP) we cover a broad spectrum of content matter and while we try and touch something of the profound depths of human experience and reach for the ultimate heights of the 'Mystery of God', we also try and have some fun along the way.

Science

In Science, students develop the necessary skills and knowledge that allow them to explore and make sense of the world around them. Students are exposed to a practical approach to learning where experimental work, fieldtrips and the use of ICT support student learning and understanding of the key concepts covered in the different science disciplines.

The PYP, MYP and DP courses all promote an awareness in students of the moral, ethical, economic and environmental responsibilities that science and technology have at a local and global level.
The Science Faculty offers study in Science (MYP) and Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Systems (DP). Although the 'Scientific Method' may take on a variety of different forms it is overarching nature of the scientific method that becomes the common theme that holds the different disciplines together.

Arts and Technology

The Arts and Technology Faculty was the last one to be created as part of the school's reorganisation. It comprises a broad range of creative and practical subjects; Art, Photography, Drama, Dance, Music, Graphics and Hard and Soft Technology. The main point of difference for this faculty – and one that makes teaching in this area of the school such a pleasure and a privilege – is that work produced in class is invariably exhibited or performed in front of a wider audience. The curriculum, offers the students countless opportunities to follow their passions and to explore their strengths to the full.