Junior High Curriculum

Kingdom Building

The study of Kingdom Building includes the study of History, Geography and Doctrine. This curriculum is specialised to City Impact Church School. It has been created and compiled ‘in-house’ and is complemented by a range of excellent external resources.

Junior Biblical History

The teaching of History is the backbone of our Kingdom Building Curriculum and is taught in two-year cycles from New Entrants through to the end of Year 10. Throughout history, God has commanded His people to write down what has happened, so as to teach the following generations. Today, history is often devalued and seen as unimportant and irrelevant to modern life. We understand that we are born into the context of God’s overarching plan of redemption for mankind and that knowing our history helps us live wisely and purposefully, learning the lessons from those who have gone before us.

Ephesians 5:15 (AMP)¹⁵ and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

There is an aphorism: He who forgets his own history is condemned to repeat it. If we don’t know our own history, we will simply have to endure all the same mistakes, sacrifices, and absurdities all over again. (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)

Years 7 – 8: This is an incredible opportunity for students to put together all they have learned in the primary years as they study from Creation to the present day. They add depth to their prior knowledge of the people and events that have shaped the world today.

Years 9 – 10: At this level, students are equipped to understand the world they live in today, through exploration of various geographical concepts, philosophies, worldviews and the ideologies of world leaders.

Geography

Dovetailed into Kingdom Building is the teaching of Geography. This includes the study of population and settlement, the natural environment, economic development and the use of our natural resources. Students learn how to be diligent stewards of our God-given resources, as well as understanding that people and cultures are all ‘one’ under Christ.

Doctrine and Worldview Studies

The study of Doctrine is also interwoven into all the levels of the Kingdom Building programme, because we believe that:

“Doctrine believed, received and practiced determines our character, which affects our behaviour, which determines our destiny.” – The Foundations of Christian Doctrine – Kevin J Conner

Years 7 – 8 Doctrine is taught systematically throughout these years and covers the key doctrines of our Christian faith. This creates a solid foundation of belief in which to build the students’ personal walk with God and is taught so that it enables real-life application.

Years 9 – 10 Doctrine is explored at a more in-depth, analytical level. Our young people are equipped to understand the worldviews of today, not only to debate opposing views, but also to be empowered to be leaders in their generation as they walk in wisdom, insight and humility.

Language

God has designed us for relationship with Himself and with each other. In order for our students to be effective in all modes of communication, we teach the following:

Written Language – teaching students to write effectively in a variety of genres.

Grammar and Spelling Programmes – teaching the ‘good old fashioned’ basics of our English language.

Oral Language – teaching the skills for effective communication, both informally and formally.

Reading – teaching students to read fluently, comprehend, and interpret, using a variety of texts.

Mathematics

God is concerned about numbers. He is a God of order, precision, consistency and accuracy.

We teach, line upon line, (Isaiah 28:10) the necessary skills in Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement and Statistics as well as endeavouring to teach every student to be competent in their ‘Basic Facts’ across all four operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by Year 7. This creates a solid foundation for the Senior years.

Science

Science is an incredible subject which unfolds to us more of the mystery of who God is, through what He has made (Romans 1:20), and equips us with the knowledge to be greater stewards of our lives and the world around us. Students are taught the key concepts of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy in both theory and practice.

Romans 1:20; For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

Nehemiah 9:6; You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.

The Arts

Our Arts programme consists of Art and Design, Music and Drama.

Art & Design

God is a creative God, who has created us with the ability to appreciate and produce beauty. Art is used to bring God glory as we express our creativity. It can touch people in a personal and powerful way as it evokes emotion and paints dynamic pictures of reality and hope.

Developing students’ conceptual thinking within a range of practices across drawing, sculpture, design, painting, print-making and photography. Art History is incorporated within the practical programme which includes the study of theories of art, architecture and design. Investigations into various theories and world-views also informs practical enquiry. They experiment with materials, using processes and conventions to develop their repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to create finished works for art.

Music

Students develop competences in music as they listen and respond, sing, play instruments, create and improvise, read symbols and notations, record sound and music works, and analyse and appreciate music. This enables them to develop aural and theoretical skills and to value and understand the expressive qualities of music within a variety of genres. Fundamental to our teaching of music is developing intuitive and skilful musicians and singers who are passionate worshippers, capable of leading others.

Drama

Drama is a powerful tool to be used to reach people; touching their lives as they inspire, engage, challenge and provoke their audiences. Students learn to structure the elements of role, action, and tension and to use dramatic conventions, techniques and technologies to create a variety of scenarios. Students also analyse and respond to different forms of drama and theatre. Through performance, both individually and collaboratively, students work with drama techniques to gain confidence and to communicate effectively using voice, body language, movement and space. Making the most of our high calibre facilities, children from 5 years old learn to embrace opportunities to perform on stage as well as in front of the camera.

Physical Education

We are called to be good stewards of our bodies and, as we are training students in body, mind and spirit, Physical Education is a valued part of our curriculum.

In the Junior High Years (7 – 10), our students have the opportunity to attend the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health, a world-class facility also based on Auckland’s North Shore. Working closely with their School Sports Co-ordinator, City Impact Church School has designed a tailor-made four year programme for our students. This includes a range of sports and associated skills and we are also able to offer a variety of specialty sports such as: pole-vaulting, rock climbing, kayaking, volleyball, lacrosse, strengthening and conditioning, water safety etc.
School sports teams will continue to develop as the school grows. We currently have teams in Touch Rugby, Football, Basketball and Netball at various year levels.