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

Gaining a National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Qualification

NCEA has three levels and is made up of Unit Standards and Achievement Standards.  The credits from both types of standards count towards NCEA certificates, however in almost all cases only Achievement Standards go towards endorsements and university approved subjects.

To achieve Levels 2 and 3 you must have met the Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirement.  There are also approved Literacy standards needed for University Entrance at these levels.

Can I study at different levels?

You do not need to gain NCEA Level 1 to achieve NCEA Level 2.  It is possible to study at Level 2 before achieving Level 1.  Credits you earn may contribute to more than one qualification at the same time.  You may study some courses at a higher level than others.  Your teachers, academic dean, kaitiaki and family can help you decide what courses to study.

Track your own learning by checking your results on the Ellesmere College portal or via the NZQA website

During the year you will be provided with instructions that allow you to check your entries and results using your own learner-login.  Check this regularly and notify your teachers if there are any incorrect entries or grades. Please note that credits offered in each course are indicative and subject to change.

NCEA LEVEL 1-3 COURSE INFORMATION HANDBOOK 

THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

By Week 8 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 a second ‘Indication of Intent’ Google form during Academic Mentoring or Hapori, after which time the final timetable subject lines will be compiled. In late Term 3, students will do their 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.