Academic Excellence
Pergo et Perago - Strive & Achieve - Ma te Kaha e taea ai
Tauranga Girls’ College is a place where students can be adventurous, creative, free-spirited and passionate about learning. We provide an environment where each student is encouraged to strive for individual excellence in all that they do.
Tauranga Girls’ College has a range of subjects and challenging educational experiences designed to meet and extend the needs of students. Our students constantly perform admirably when compared with national averages and excel in NCEA gaining outstanding results at all levels, including scholarships. Every opportunity is taken to give students real-world experiences and hands-on tasks as part of their learning. Staff expect all students to extend themselves to reach their full potential and provide an environment where students are not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Whaia ki tō Aro Ako - Our TGC learning model
As a kura, we are committed to empowering every learner to make a positive impact.
Learning can be hard but is always rewarding. Whaia ki tō Aro Ako shows this. It shows everyone that there are challenges and these can be difficult but we can step up and out of these. More importantly, Whaia ki tō Aro Ako helps us all understand we need to plan to learn and that there are steps we can take and support we can ask for.
This beautiful image, created by one of our current Year 13 students Zoe Samson, is in all our classrooms. Kaiako (teachers) will be starting to have conversations with learners about how learning looks and feels; where they are on their journey and what they think they might do next to keep moving forward and UP!
We’d love for you to have some of these conversations at home too. Why don’t you print a copy of Whaia ki tō Aro Ako at home. You can be asking some of these questions about the learning of your young person.
- Tell me about something you learned today. Why is it important to learn that?
- What learning are you proud of today?
- Was there anything hard about your learning today?
- What did you do when it was hard? Who helped you?
- Now that you’ve learned that, what’s next?
When you come along to our Te Ara Ako Learning Conversations, look out for our learning model and share with our kaiako how your conversations have been going at home.
Environment for Learning
Designed to Support Learning
Nestled in a residential suburb Tauranga Girls' College is a campus with a remarkable hidden sense of space and tranquility, enhanced by mature trees, cared for grounds and well-equipped learning and teaching areas.
Learning spaces within the College are specifically designed to support learning. Spacious classrooms are wifi equipped, digital devices support collaboration and continuous learning beyond the classroom. We have a high caliber of highly qualified and passionate teachers.
There are many other facilities available to students on campus.
- International Student Centre
- Te Whare Wānanga o Mereaira
- Drama studios
- Dance Studio
- Media equipment for Journalism, Art and Television production
- Keyboard music laboratory with listening posts and recording studio
- Digital photography, ceramics bay and pottery kiln
- Multimedia studio
- Technology and Design workshop with access to electronic and CAD technology
- A multi-resource library, network, internet link, computers, senior study facilities, private reading areas, careers information centre
- 'Te Manawa' is a dedicated space for supporting students with academic and socio-emotional needs.
- Computer laboratories with intranet and internet
- Web based Careers Programme
- Health Centre with a part time registered nurse and first aid officer in attendance
- Envirohub
Inclusive Learning Support
At Tauranga Girls' College, we are committed to providing an inclusive, mainstream education that enables every student to learn alongside their peers. We recognise and value the unique needs and strengths of each learner, offering individualised adaptations when required. Our goal is for every student to experience a broad range of academic and practical subjects, with flexible learning programmes that reflect their interests and needs.
Te Manawa – The Heart of Inclusive Learning
Te Manawa is a welcoming, centrally located hub that celebrates the strengths and abilities of all learners. It provides opportunities for students to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, including those with diverse needs such as specific learning difficulties, neurodiversity, and health or physical challenges. Te Manawa is a space for connection, growth, and belonging.
Collaboration and Support
We work closely with a range of government and community agencies to ensure students receive holistic support. These include:
- Northern Health School (NHS)
- Ministry of Education (MOE) specialists
- Maternal, Infant, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (MICAMHS)
- Resource Teachers of Learning & Behaviour (RTLB)
- Other community and health services as needed
Programmes and Opportunities
Students have access to a wide range of support options, from group programmes to fully individualised learning. These may include:
- University and industry-focused distance learning courses
- Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (New Zealand’s correspondence school)
- The Flexi-Learn programme, which can be built into student timetables in consultation with their dean and the Leader of Inclusive Learning
Assessment and Special Conditions
Te Manawa also supports assessment and testing for students whose whānau or teachers have identified learning or behavioural concerns. Where appropriate, students may qualify for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) for NCEA. More information is available on the NZQA website, and testing can be arranged throughout the year with the year-level dean, Leader of Inclusive Learning, or SENCO.
Whānau Partnership
To ensure a smooth transition, whānau are encouraged to share any relevant documentation about their student’s learning, health, or diagnosis at enrolment. This helps us provide the right support from the start.
Learning Support Documents
Our Curriculum
Curriculum Guide
Information about all subjects offered at Tauranga Girls’ College from Years 10 to 13.
School Exchanges
New Zealand-Switzerland Exchange
The annual exchange to French speaking Switzerland allows students of French to experience life with a French speaking Swiss family for a period of eight weeks and at a relatively low cost. It is a twin exchange, where the Swiss student spends eight weeks with the family in New Zealand.
Visit the website for further information: http://nzse.atspace.cc/
