From the Principal: 26 June

Introduction

It has been really encouraging to see staff and students settling back into teaching and learning at the College.  In my recent Board report I have been able to look closely at senior NCEA results to date and I am encouraged by the fact that our students are still relatively on track despite the COVID-19 interruptions and impact that we have seen in recent times.

The Ministry of Education interventions to support students in 2020 with NCEA are certainly useful and I would again like to outline below what these look like:

• Students working towards an NCEA can gain additional credits, based on the number of credits they achieve during the 2020 school year. For every 5 credits a student achieves towards their NCEA through internal or external assessment, they can be awarded an additional 1 credit. Students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to a maximum of 10 additional credits while those at Levels 2 and 3 are eligible for up to a maximum of 8 additional credits. These will be known as Learning Recognition (LR) credits.

• Students will be awarded a certificate endorsement if they achieve 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level, rather than the usual 50. Students achieving 12 credits at Merit or Excellence level in a course – rather than 14 – will be awarded a course endorsement.

• Current UE requirements have been reduced to 12 credits in three UE-approved subjects, from 14 credits in three approved subjects. Students still need to attain NCEA Level 3 and meet the literacy and numeracy requirement to be awarded University Entrance.

These changes are underpinned by the following principles:

• Students have a fair and equitable opportunity to achieve the qualifications and awards they would have been able to achieve in any other year;

• Students are engaged and progressing in their assessed learning;

• Changes are consistent with the integrity and credibility of the qualification; and

• Changes impose minimal workload on schools.

 In summary

• For every 5 credits students achieve in 2020, they are entitled to 1 more credit (Learning Recognition LR Credits). 

• Up to 10 LR credits will count towards NCEA L1. This does not mean NCEA L1 is now 70 credits … as it is based on achievement from 2020 only.

• Up to 8 LR credits will count towards NCEA L2 and 3

• 46 credits required for M/E for NCEA endorsement (LR credits do NOT count)

• Course endorsement 12 credits (Int + Ext still applies)

• UE is 12 credits per subject

• Exam dates postponed 10 days

• Portfolio based submissions delayed

 While it is great to see things back to almost normal this has been a very long term and I am aware that staff and students are looking forward to a break over the upcoming holidays.  As people get run down, this can lead to illness and I would like to remind everyone of the guidelines that we still have in place: in brief – if you feel ill, stay home; continue to wash hands frequently and sneezes and coughs should be made into the elbow – simple precautions but effective. Please also note the points made in the Public Health Update published later in this Newsletter. 

Uniform

 With the cold weather we are seeing students developing different interpretations of our school uniform.  Could I please remind whānau that we do have a uniform code and we try and maintain high standards around this.  In cold weather we encourage students to wear College jackets which can be purchased through Marlan Trading.  If there are any financial issues around uniform, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can help out.  We would remind you that: shoes are black with no other visible colour or logos and ties are to be worn at all times with white shirts or blouses.

Internet Connectivity

The Ministry of Education has been working to make sure students have internet connections in their homes. If you do not have an internet connection in your home and would like us to register your name with the Ministry, please contact the College office and let them know. 

Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews

We are really looking forward to seeing whānau at our interviews, which will be conducted on Thursday 2nd July.   This is a really vital part of us all working together to get the very best educational outcomes for your children so we hope we will see many parents at this event.  Details on how to book are included under College Notices.

The information provided will be focussing on students’ ability around key competencies and the way that they have settled back into College over this term. 

The New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies:

·       Thinking

·       Relating to others

·       Using language, symbols, and texts

·       Managing self

·       Participating and contributing

Key competencies matter because things have changed. Since our education systems were first established there has been enormous change in the nature of societies, change in the nature of work, change in how knowledge is viewed, and change in technologies, to name just a few. Those changes, and the certainty of ongoing change, have implications for the kind of education our young people require, and the focus of the teaching and learning they experience. The key competencies take account of those changes – they put today’s students at the centre, and bring a future-focused perspective to teaching and learning.