In New Zealand, the most common schooling system used is NCEA, which stands for National Certificate of Educational Achievement. As a student completes assessments throughout the year and exams at the end of the year, they gain credits that go towards achieving the appropriate NCEA level they are completing. Just like any schooling system, the more effort and higher level of understanding a student have on a topic, the higher level of achievement they are able to gain, which in NCEA is divided as Achieved (expected level of understanding), Merit (above average level of understanding), and Excellence (outstanding level of understanding).  Go to the NCEA Explain page for a detailed explaination of the NCEA system in english and many other languages. 

The Buddy System is specifically designed to provide support for new students who may have English as a second language and require assistance. If English isn't your first language and you need guidance, our Buddy System is here to help you. When you fill out the Buddy System form, please let us know about your language preferences and needs. We have both physical and virtual buddies available to support you. Physical buddies will personally assist you, answering questions, providing guidance, and helping you navigate through Wakatipu High School. Virtual buddies, on the other hand, will be accessible through online platforms, such as email or designated channels, to answer your inquiries and offer support. Our aim is to ensure that you receive the assistance you need, tailored to your language requirements, so that you can feel confident and supported as you navigate your academic experience.

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This website was created and facilitated by the Multicultural Council, lead by Marité Balzarini and Eanna Tanghal.