In Physical Education, the focus is on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people and of society, through learning in movement contexts.  Students are able to select from a broad range of courses.  Through learning and by accepting challenges in movement contexts, students reflect on the nature of well-being and how to promote it. As they develop resilience and a sense of personal and social responsibility, they are increasingly able to take responsibility for themselves and contribute to the well-being of those around them.

Discover the dynamic world of Technology at Spotswood College, where hands-on innovation meets real-world impact. From hard materials, food & textiles, Design & Visual Communication (DVC) to digital technologies, our students engage in creative design and production across a variety of mediums — from robotics to korowai making, from 3D modelling to handcrafted garden tools. We offer a range of courses, including but not limited to students designing, building, and racing their own motorbikes, gaining practical engineering and teamwork experience. There is something for everyone in this department.

Year 9 and 10 students can discover their creative voice by diving into a huge range of exciting art courses: drawing, painting, sculpture, Māori art, ceramics, illustration, printmaking, stencil art, photography, and graphic design. There's even an Art Extension class for passionate creatives! Our vibrant Art Block is a buzzing hub of imagination where students grow their own ideas while building strong visual skills. With a brand-new suite of Wacom tablets, our fully equipped graphic design room gives students access to industry-standard digital tools. 

At senior levels, we offer all five Visual Arts subjects — Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture — as separate classes, right through to Scholarship level. 

Be part of a thriving creative community — make art that matters!

At Spotswood College, students can study Te Reo Māori, French, Spanish, and Japanese across all year levels. Alongside language learning, they benefit from regular cultural enrichment activities that deepen understanding and appreciation of each culture. These experiences are further enhanced by opportunities for overseas excursions, allowing students to immerse themselves in real-world language and cultural contexts.

Social Science is the study of human society and the environment we live in, including the natural environment. At Spotswood College, this involves several different disciplines such as social studies, history, geography, tourism, psychology, legal studies, accounting and economics.  Our junior programme combines aspects from ALL of these disciplines so that students are exposed to a wide range of skills and knowledge of the world they live in. 

The Science department encompasses a modern integrated science curriculum.  Students can choose courses from Biology, Physics, Horticulture, Earth Science, Astronomy and Chemistry. In the junior curriculum students have the option to choose from any of these courses to grow their knowledge and take part in practical experiments.  We also have an Agriculture academy students can join to experience real practical tasks at our local partnering farms.  

Inquiry based learning at Spotswood College is designed to engage students in areas of interest and passion, whether it be local, national or global issues, technology, or innovating and creating new and exciting products. From soft to hard technology, designing and building your own motorbike, 3D printing to hospitality courses like “Earth to Table”, this space is an innovative hub of design thinking.  

English

Te Mātaiaho ⏐ The New Zealand Curriculum English learning area equips students with knowledge of the conventions of literacy, language, and texts.  Through this knowledge and understanding students can explore the beauty and richness of classic and contemporary literature across a range of forms and genres.  The English learning area is underpinned by content that supports students to develop their capacity to think critically and express themselves coherently and fluently. 

Literacy

We believe literacy development thrives when it’s relevant, meaningful, and embedded across a range of learning contexts. Our junior literacy programme offers students a choice of curriculum rich courses that integrate reading and writing skills into authentic subject-based learning.

Each course is carefully designed to meet the NCEA Literacy co-requisite while also engaging students through topics aligned with their interests, strengths, and future pathways. Along with being literacy classes, they are integrated learning experiences that teach students how to read critically, write purposefully, and communicate confidently in real-world contexts.

Mathematics

Mathematics at Spotswood College empowers students to become confident, capable problem-solvers who can apply mathematical thinking to real-world situations. From junior through to senior levels, our programmes are designed to make maths meaningful, relevant, and connected to future pathways.

As students move into the senior school, they have access to flexible learning pathways that suit their interests and aspirations. These include full-year NCEA Level 1 Mathematics, where students develop core skills in algebra, statistical investigations, and reasoning, as well as applied courses which focus on interpreting and questioning information in a data-rich world.

Whether a student is aiming for university, trades, or everyday numeracy confidence, our Mathematics curriculum provides the tools, support, and real-world relevance they need to succeed.

Numeracy

In the Junior Numeracy programme, students engage in semester-long courses like Numeracy through Mathematics, Numeracy through Our World, Numeracy through DVC (Design & Visual Communication), and niche options such as Numeracy through Architecture or Numeracy through Chess. Each course is aligned with curriculum level expectations and designed to foster creative, clear, and mathematical reasoning across relevant themes.

Throughout this curriculum, students:

• Learn to approach complex problems with a mathematical mindset, employing critical reasoning and structured methods.

• Encounter rich, real-life scenarios—whether through design and visual arts, interpreting environmental data, or planning community projects.

• Progress through a purposefully sequenced framework that supports their transition into senior-level numeracy and the NCEA pathway

The Music Department at Spotswood College is housed in a purpose-built music suite that includes dedicated rehearsal rooms and a recording studio. It offers a comprehensive curriculum for Years 9–13, covering performance, composition, music technology, and academic music in alignment with NCEA Levels 1–3. Students participate in a vibrant ensemble culture that includes junior and senior rock bands, concert and jazz groups, chamber ensembles, and songwriting projects.

Students in Spotswood College’s Drama Department are currently rehearsing for “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical”, developing their acting, singing, dancing, and stage combat skills as part of the production process. In addition to these extracurricular productions, Drama is offered as a formal subject from Years 11 to 13, aligned with NCEA standards. 

The curriculum emphasises expressive techniques — including voice, movement, spatial awareness, and performance technologies such as set, costume, and lighting design — while guiding students through character development, scriptwriting, theatre forms, and performance conventions. Students also engage in Pasifika dance, exploring traditional and contemporary Pacific movement styles that connect them to their cultural heritage. Through ensemble rehearsal, performance critique, and creative collaboration, students cultivate confidence, teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking — skills that enhance both their artistic growth and academic achievement.