HIGH SCHOOL
High School
Welcome to Green School NZ’s High School, where education meets innovation, sustainability, and personal growth. Immerse yourself in a transformative high school experience like no other at Green School New Zealand. Nestled amidst native forests with a view from the mountain to the sea, our unique learning environment fosters a deep connection with the world around us.
At Green School NZ, we believe that education should empower learners to become responsible global citizens, ready to tackle the challenges of the future. Our curriculum goes beyond traditional subjects, integrating sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community engagement into every aspect of learning.
Step into our classrooms, and you'll find passionate teachers who inspire and challenge learners to think critically, explore their passions, unlock their full potential and discover their own unique pathways. Through hands-on projects, real-world problem-solving, and interdisciplinary learning, learners develop a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of our planet.
Our vibrant community is a tapestry of cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. With a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, learners forge lifelong friendships and develop the social skills needed to thrive in a globalised world. From meaningful discussions to exciting extracurricular activities, Green School NZ offers countless opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
A High School education at Green School NZ takes learners on an educational journey that transcends boundaries and shapes young people into well-rounded, compassionate, and environmentally conscious individuals. Discover the joy of learning, embrace sustainability, and be part of a community that is redefining the high school experience.
Sal Gordon, Head of High School Diploma
Green School NZ High School Diploma (Advanced)
It’s been shown that it isn’t so much what we learn, it is more how we learn that lies at the heart of our lethargy to face the growing environmental crisis. This actually indicates to us how we can create change through education.
Learn more on the Green School NZ High School Diploma (Advanced) here.
High School Programme
At Green School NZ, we believe that education should empower learners to become responsible global citizens, ready to tackle the challenges of the future. Our curriculum goes beyond traditional subjects, integrating sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community engagement into every aspect of learning.
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The Green School Diploma embraces the complex problems facing contemporary learning design by acknowledging two fundamental principles required for a future-ready education. First, it recognises the iterative nature of knowledge accumulation and skills acquisition. Second, it articulates concept domains and knowledge dimensions in ways that prioritise transdisciplinary awareness and an interdisciplinary approach. The Green School Diploma represents a regeneration of traditional education and Green School’s intent to return to the core question of education’s higher moral purpose.
Read more here.
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At Green School our approach to assessment focuses on using various forms of evidence to assess a learner's understanding and skills. Instead of relying solely on exams, students might be evaluated based on their ability to apply knowledge in practical situations, solve real-world problems, or present projects that demonstrate their understanding.
Exams are often considered high-pressure assessments that primarily test a learner's memory and recall abilities within a limited timeframe. In contrast, evidence-based learning emphasises a deeper understanding of concepts and encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of knowledge.
Teachers design assessments that are tailored to the learning objectives of their courses. These assessments could include projects, essays, presentations, case studies, group discussions, or other assignments that allow students to showcase their understanding and skills in different ways.
Teachers are responsible for grading the assessments they design. This allows them to have a more comprehensive understanding of each student's progress and enables them to provide personalised feedback for improvement. However, to maintain a level of objectivity and consistency in assessment, external moderation is employed.
Self-reflection as a form of assessment is a process through which individuals analyse and evaluate their own thoughts, actions, experiences, and behaviours. It involves introspection and critical examination of one's thoughts, feelings, motivations, and actions in order to gain insights, identify strengths and weaknesses, and facilitate personal growth and development.
Self-reflection is used regularly as a method of assessment to gauge the learner’s understanding of a subject, their progress in learning, and their ability to apply knowledge to real-world situations. It encourages learners to think deeply about their learning experiences, consider the implications of their actions, and make connections between theory and practice.
Within the High School curriculum self-reflection is a highly valued form of assessment. This includes thinking critically about the reasons behind their choices, the factors that influenced them, and the consequences that followed. It also includes metacognition, thinking about one's own thinking through courses we run such as ‘Learning to Learn’. Individuals assess their cognitive processes, such as problem-solving strategies, decision-making, and information processing. They consider what they know, how they know it, and how their thought processes contribute to their learning and growth. Learners are also encouraged to consider their emotions and their impact on their actions and decisions, and how various aspects of an individual's life, such as personal beliefs, values, experiences, and external influences, contribute to their actions and decisions.
Learning In Action
Green School NZ High School students go into the world equipped to make change as well-rounded, skilled and knowledgeable global citizens who seek to live purpose-driven lives and have a positive impact on their communities. We aim to guide our students as they embrace their own personal learning journeys, share their passions, and to take responsibility for themselves as leaders within our school and beyond.
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Life cannot be compartmentalised into separate boxes, so why should learning be? Our curriculum addresses this by taking a thematic, interdisciplinary approach to the way we learn.
For students, this could mean learning mathematics and physics by building a bridge over the river that passes through our campus. Or learning biology by exploring marine biodiversity, understanding our impact on it and developing solutions towards conserving and regenerating it.
We understand that each student learns differently, and our thematic units are designed to foster a deep love for learning in them. We have seen students thrive when programmes are designed to value their individual passions and they are empowered to lead their own learning journeys.
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Understanding the environment is fundamental to the Green School experience and is explored throughout our Green School Skills. Our thematic learning enables students to ‘Think in Systems’ and identifies the connection between social and environmental justice, supporting students to gain an understanding of their voice, power and role in creating change.
Environmental learning is threaded through courses and projects and is experienced day to day in where we learn, how we learn and what we consume. This awareness shapes sustainability mindsets as a springboard for activism, real projects that make a real difference and for instilling leadership in young adults.
Underpinning this is a strong foundation of scientific learning and the Green School Values, nurtured in all our learners. From climate change to marine ecology, from the circular economy to botany, our environmental science courses are flagship offerings delivered by educators with deep expertise, with a deep commitment to nature and a values-based approach to life as our guide.
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We believe that a child’s wellbeing is as important as their academic success. At Green School NZ, we seek to nurture within our students confidence, kindness, empathy and a joy for learning. We embrace the idea that sustainability starts from within and understanding ourselves as individuals – what we believe in, how we manage set-backs and how we find joy in all that we do – is a critical building block. Building on this are our relationships with others and our relationship with our incredible planet.
Students learn best when they are engaged, mindful and active. Our wellbeing programme (physical, social and emotional, mindfulness, and relationship education) skills students up as stewards of their own health and wellbeing and reflects our holistic approach to education. This is imperative if we are to nurture change-makers who will become the guardians of our planet.
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Greenstone is a Grade 12 / Year 13 capstone project where students present their world-shaping ideas in a TED-style talk. By exploring a project or purpose that leads to illuminating discoveries, students find self-worth, validation as critical thinkers, confidence as communicators and develop lasting connections to passions, causes, partners, and potential career pathways.
Ultimately the Greenstone embodies, “the journey is the destination”. The reflective storytelling is mentored, supported, and shared with our local and global community. These presentations are a rite of passage for all Green School graduates, bridging the Green School experience and each student’s next steps in life.
OUR LEARNER PATHWAYS
Green School NZ Graduates
Green School New Zealand is the only school in New Zealand where our learners can graduate with a Green School Diploma (Advanced). This diploma is woven together with each learner's individual achievements, critical skills, and knowledge showcased online. As a NEASC-accredited school, our High School Diploma is recognized globally. It can also be combined with an SAT score; first-year papers from NZ universities; or additional in-depth studies in areas of passion such as higher-level physics, maths, or arts should these align with a learner’s pathway.
Teaching Team
High School Highlights
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Our High School learners were front and centre during our recent Puanga Festival preparations and celebrations.
Read more here.
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GSNZ’s seniors recently embarked on a first of its kind trip to Green School Bali.
Read more about it here.
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We’re looking forward to recognising and celebrating our seniors in Green School NZ’s first round of graduates later this year.
Watch this space as we prepare for this significant milestone in our GSNZ journey.