CHOOSING SCHOOL COURSES

Step 1: Work out what subjects you enjoy, ask yourself:

Which courses do I like doing now?

Which courses interest me for next year that I haven’t already studied?

What do I enjoy doing outside school: e.g. playing music, helping people, thinking creatively?  Do any courses include these activities?

Step 2: Work out what courses you are good at, ask yourself:

Which subjects am I strongest in?

What subjects do others say I am good at?

Step 3: Find out what courses you need for your future career ideas.

If you already have some career ideas?

Find out the ‘must have’ or most useful subjects for each of your career ideas.  Go to www.careers.govt.nz search for your choice in the Jobs Database section, click on ‘More about this job’ and then ‘How to get into this job’ and any required or useful subjects will be listed here.

Are you still unsure what career would suit you?

It really is okay if you are unsure what you want to do in the future, it will help if you study a broad range of courses so that you keep your career options open. We recommend that you keep up with English, Mathematics and at least one Science course.

You can talk to our Careers Adviser or other Senior Staff or you could visit CareersNZ at www.careers.govt.nz and go the ‘Plan your career’ section and/or the ‘Tools’ section where you will find tools and activities to help you in your decision making.

UNDERSTANDING NCEA

You may know that NCEA is changing. As a student, the main thing you might notice is a stronger focus on Literacy and Numeracy (or te reo Matatini and Pāngarau).

You might also notice changes in how you are assessed, with more assessments being done online or submitted to NZQA through our website.

What you need for NCEA in 2024 and 2025

For NCEA in 2024 and 2025, you will need:

• 60 credits at the Level (or above) of the qualification you are working towards

• Literacy or Te Reo Matatini – 10 credits from Literacy or Te Reo Matatini standards, or from a list of specified standards in a range of subjects

• Numeracy or Pāngarau – 10 credits from Numeracy or Pāngarau standards, or from a list of specified standards in a range of subjects.

You only need to meet the literacy or te reo matatini and numeracy or pāngarau requirements once, and then do not need to attempt them again for other levels of NCEA.  If you haven't quite finished your NCEA at the end of the year you can still start working towards the next level.

What else is changing

• Schools will use new standards when they develop courses for NCEA Level 1 in 2024, NCEA Level 2 in 2026 and NCEA Level 3 in 2027.

• There will still be exams at the end of the year, but you might also complete external assessments during the year, for example submitting reports, portfolios or kete manarua, or attempting Common Assessment Activities for literacy, numeracy, te reo matatini and pāngarau.

• More external assessments will be done online or uploaded to NZQA through their website.

• Literacy, numeracy, te reo matatini and pāngarau assessments may be offered at Year 10.

What is staying the same

• Any credits you have already earned can be used towards the new NCEA.

• You can still use Unit Standards and Achievement Standards towards NCEA.

• Course and certificate endorsement requirements remain the same.

• You can still study at different levels of NCEA in the same year.

• If you met the literacy and numeracy requirements in 2023 or earlier, you do not need to attempt them again.

• There is still no time limit on completing NCEA. If you have part of a qualification, you can return to study at any time.

THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

By week 9 of Term 3 students should have completed the first ‘Indication of Intent’ Google form during Mentoring and Learning Advisory. These forms will be collated and subjects which do not attract sufficient student numbers to remain viable will be reviewed. Students will then complete final subject selection from the lines available. At the start of the next Academic Year students will accept their timetable electronically, or make an appointment to attend a course confirmation interview. 

Bookings for this interview will be made via www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and the code will be provided in due time.