Our mission is to prepare our young people to step out confidently with an education that has developed their faith in God, their intellect, and themselves as people, so that they can be happy and successful contributors to the future society in Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

We are committed to preparing our ākonga (students) for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and tertiary studies and pathways.

NCEA is a globally recognised qualification.

At Catholic Cathedral College we take a holistic approach to learning for our students. Looking to balance the academic learning with faith experiences and the development of the whole person. Encouraging excellence in everything we do.

We follow the Aotearoa New Zealand curriculum and a range of subjects from all essential learning areas taught: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Languages, Health & Physical Education, Arts, and Technology. As a Special Character College, Religious Education is a core subject at every level for every student.

Key Competencies – Our Year 7 - 13 Junior College develops the capabilities in our rangatahi (young people) that prepare them life and lifelong learning

The Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies:

Thinking
Using language, symbols, and texts
Managing self
Relating to others
Participating and contributing

The key competencies enable our rangatahi to live full and happy lives. The key competencies are developed in our young people so that they live, learn, work, and contribute to the world around them in a positive way. The key competencies underpin everything that happens in teaching and learning drawing on knowledge, attitudes, and values in ways that will enable them to be prepared to take action. They are intrinsically connected and are the key to learning in every learning area at Catholic Cathedral College.

Our teachers develop successful learners that engage the use of the competencies in conjunction with specific subject content. Furthermore, this includes personal goals, connecting with people, community and cultural knowledge and values (language, symbols, and texts). The knowledge and skills found in different learning areas combined with our College values enables our young people to become the best they can be.

The competencies along with the College’s values are developed over time to form and shape the interactions with people, places, ideas, and the world around them.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

A broad curriculum in Year 7 through to Year 10 provides a sound basis for all ākonga (students). Catholic Cathedral provides an inclusive, safe co-educational environment that encourages independent learning through the delivery of engaging experiences that develop a high level of educational achievement and excellence. Ākonga move into the Senior College well-prepared for NCEA.

We recognise that it is vital for our Years 7 to 10 ākonga to learn to balance the challenges of adolescence with the competencies, skills and values necessary to achieve at a high level. Our aim is for our ākonga to have rich learning experiences that develop them as people and as critical thinkers. It is important that they feel confident in their learning ability both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition, Catholic Cathedral College recognises the unique position of Māori as tangata whenua. Instruction in tikanga and te reo Māori is part of the core curriculum for Years 7-10. There are many benefits to learning a second language at any age, including appreciating and respecting another culture. At Catholic Cathedral we respect our own country's culture and include te reo Māori as a core subject. We are seeing te reo Māori taught in many secondary schools already as school leaders recognise the importance of it for our young people to not only understand the idigenous culture of Aotearoa New Zealand, but once they leave school being adequately prepared for a career in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is important for us as a College to make an effort to pay attention to our national language, and the meaning and culture behind it.

We are committed to preparing our ākonga (students) for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Catholic Cathedral College NCEA achievement is exceptional and has been consistently at a high level for the last seven years.

SENIOR COLLEGE

At Catholic Cathedral College we offer a broad curriculum that develops our rangatahi spiritually, academically, culturally, socially and physically. We are committed to providing our rangatahi with a vast range of opportunities inside and outside the classroom in order to develop them into well-rounded individuals that have a desire to contribute to the world around them in a positive way. All rangatahi are encouraged to achieve to their highest potential in all their endeavours and pursuits. Senior College teachers also provide mentoring and encourage our rangatahi to aim high. Ongoing quality feedback to and recognition of their successes happens on a daily basis. Our young people consistently report and provide feedback on how they feel cared for and supported by our committed staff.

Every effort is made to provide combinations of subjects to meet individual needs. Where we do not offer a specific subject through on-site learning we support our young people with quality distance education.

YEAR 11

Students in Year 11 begin their preparation for Level 1 National Qualifications. Core subjects are English, Maths, Science, Physical Education and Religious Education as well as two optional subjects are studied.

YEAR 12 AND 13

The only core subject at Years 12 and 13 is Religious Education. Students now choose their specialist subjects.