Francis Douglas Memorial College

Whole School Curriculum & Assessment

At Francis Douglas Memorial College, we approach the Curriculum holistically - it is more than just academic study – and as such, we expect and encourage all of our students to be active in the College's larger life through participation in cultural, sporting, faith and service activities.

Years 11–13 should be viewed as a three-year course – it is the qualification at the end of Year 13 that each student should be, in general, striving towards. Career counselling ensures that each student has a goal, a plan and a pathway to achieve that goal.

To ensure that seniors have the advice and support they need to make good pathway decisions, we provide subject counselling interviews from Year 10 onwards (compulsory at Yr10, optional at Yr11-12). Our Careers Advisor also offers additional subject advice and counselling opportunities.

Although new options are available each year, most have prerequisites and build on prior knowledge, this is why attending a career counselling conversation is an essential part of a student’s subject selection process.

The key people are the Year Level Deans, the Deputy Principal Curriculum (NCEA), the Tumuaki / Principal, and the Careers Advisor.

Real-Time Reporting:
Real-time reporting has been implemented to provide instant assessment feedback for parents/caregivers.
Whānau will be able to gain immediate access to up-to-date feedback and updates on their son's assessment progress. This information will be accessible via the Parent Portal.

FDMC Progress Reports:
Progress Reports are emailed to parents/caregivers each term. The reports can also be accessed via the Parent Portal. The FDMC Progress Reports provide updated information about individual student progress and achievement. Information about our reporting criteria and assessment grading scales can be found below:

Learning Attributes:

2024	Descriptors
Coming prepared for learning He ākonga takatū	Is well organised and attends lessons on time with the appropriate equipment.
Actively engaged in learning He ākonga tauaronui	Has a positive attitude to learning. Uses class time wisely, takes responsibility for and manages own behaviour.
Working to meet deadlines He ringa whakatūtuki	Completes and submits class work, homework, and assignments according to prescribed timelines.
Interacting positively with others He ngākau mahitahi	Works co-operatively and responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others.

Vertical Form Attributes:

2024	Descriptors
Character / He hūmarie	Demonstrates the characteristics of a ‘good college man’ – respect, commitment, pride, courage, loyalty, honesty, integrity, empathy, reliability, perseverance and resilience.
Service to the College/ He ringa manaaki	Willingly contributes to his Vertical Form and College activities e.g. house event participation, gala day assistance, MAD day involvement. Responds to the needs of those less fortunate by his actions more than his words, and to the poor and victims of social injustice.
Respect for others / Arohanui ki te tangata	Respects diversity. Recognises and accepts another’s strengths and limitations. Demonstrates the ability to put himself in someone else’s shoes. Knows what he stands for and lives by Christian values.

Assessment Grades:

Yr 7- 10:

Not Yet Meeting	The student has not met the assessment criteria Is not meeting expected curriculum level This grade is equivalent to the NCEA Not Achieved
Developing/Emerging	Meeting expected curriculum level Entry level skills or knowledge This grade is equivalent to the NCEA Achieved
Competent	Intermediate level skills or knowledge Usually demonstrates competency in the task Confidently meets or is above expected curriculum level This grade is equivalent to the NCEA Merit
Exceeding	Highly developed skills or knowledge Consistently demonstrates high level of understanding Exceeds expectations and is performing above expected curriculum level This grade is equivalent to the NCEA Excellence

NCEA Assessment Grades – Yr11 -13 (these grades are also used for Common Assessment tasks at Yrs 9 & 10)

Not Achieved – NA	The student has not met the assessment expectations and assessment criteria
Achieved – A	The student has demonstrated entry-level skills or knowledge
Achieved with Merit - M	The student demonstrated intermediate level skills or knowledge
Achieved with Excellence – E	The student has demonstrated highly developed skills or knowledge