Curriculum Architecture
At Parvis, we reject the notion of “easy credits”. Whether in our Senior College (High School) or our Tertiary Division, the curriculum is designed to be mathematically demanding and creatively exhausting. We operate on a trimester system, allowing for a deeper immersion in subject matter than the standard semester model permits.
The Senior College (Years 11–13)
Pre-University Pathways
Our high school programme is not a standalone entity; it is a preparatory phase for high-level research and performance. We follow a modified curriculum that aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum (NCEA) but extends significantly beyond it, incorporating elements of the Cambridge International ethos to challenge our brightest minds.
- Logic & Reasoning Stream: This is compulsory for all Year 11 students. It replaces standard ‘Social Studies’ with a rigorous introduction to Formal Logic, Critical Thinking, and Basic Game Theory. We teach students how to construct an argument before we ask them to write an essay.
- The Physics-Music Nexus: A unique interdisciplinary module where the physics of sound (acoustics, harmonics, frequency) is taught strictly in conjunction with music theory. Students calculate the tension of strings and the aerodynamics of woodwinds, applying calculus to creativity.
- Visual Arts & Design Technology: Moving beyond traditional painting, this stream requires students to master industry-standard software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Blender) alongside traditional charcoal and oil techniques. The focus is on ‘Design Thinking’—solving problems through visual means.
Tertiary Division (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)
School of Economics & Finance
Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Economic Strategy
This is the flagship programme of Parvis. It is designed for students who wish to understand the machinery of the world.
- Microeconomic Foundations (ECON101): An intensive drill into consumer behaviour, market structures, and pricing mechanisms. Unlike other universities, we use case studies from the Wellington property market and local startups.
- Quantitative Methods (ECON205): Here, we filter the cohort. This course covers advanced calculus, probability theory, and linear algebra required for modern financial modelling. It is notoriously difficult and serves as a rite of passage.
- Behavioural Economics & Policy: Leveraging our capital city location, this advanced module examines how psychological factors affect economic decisions, often featuring guest lecturers from the public sector.
Department of Computer Science & AI
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computational Innovation
We do not simply train coders; we train architects of intelligence.
- Algorithmic Composition: A joint venture with the School of Music, exploring how AI can generate, harmonise, and analyse musical scores.
- Data Structures & Ethics: We teach code alongside moral philosophy. If you build an AI, what are the ethical implications? This course is discussion-heavy and code-intensive.
Conservatory of Music
Degree: Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Performance & Theory
Parvis offers a boutique conservatory experience. We focus on Classical Performance, Composition, and Sonic Arts.
- Performance Stream: One-on-one tuition with leading members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO).
- Theory & History: A comprehensive survey of Western Art Music, from the Medieval era to the 21st-century avant-garde. We analyse the socio-economic conditions that allowed Mozart or Beethoven to thrive, linking back to our economics faculty.
Pedagogy: The Tutorial Method
We eschew the large lecture hall format. Our “lectures” rarely exceed 25 students. Our “tutorials” are intimate gatherings of 5–8 scholars. This method, inspired by the Oxbridge system, requires students to defend their ideas weekly. There is no hiding at Parvis. If you have not done the reading, it will be evident. If your equation is unbalanced, it will be challenged. This intensity breeds a specific type of confidence—one born of competence.