Senior School
National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA)
National Certificate in Educational Achievement is the main New Zealand qualification for secondary school students.
Most NCEA subjects assessed are a combination of internal assessment (administered by the teacher) and external assessment (by examinations or outside marking of portfolios), with “credits” earned going towards the NCEA qualification.
Knowledge and skills will be assessed using “Achievement Standards” with results being recognised at four levels:
- Not Achieved - Achieved
- Achieved with Merit - Achieved with Excellence
Courses that offer “Unit Standards” are also credited towards NCEA at Level 1, 2 and 3.
These standards are all internally assessed, with most Unit Standards results being recognised at two levels:
- Not Achieved
-
Achieved
Course Endorsement – Merit or Excellence
Obtained if 14 Merit and/or Excellence (3 internal + 3 external + 8 others) credits are achieved in a single course.
Level Endorsement – Merit or Excellence
Obtained if 50 Merit and/or Excellence credits are achieved across courses.
NCEA Level 1
Awarded when 80 Level 1or higher credits are earned.
This must include:
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10 credits in Literacy
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10 credits in Numeracy
NCEA Level 2
Awarded when 80 credits are earned – with at least 60 credits at Level 2 or higher + Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy
NCEA Level 3
Awarded when 80 credits are earned – with at least 60 at Level 3, plus 20 from Level 2 or higher, + Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy
University Entrance
Level 3 but must have 3 university approved subjects with a minimum of 14 credits in each subject, +Level 1 Numeracy and UE Literacy.
University Entrance is not a guaranteed acceptance into a university course. Please see specific university entrance criteria.
New Zealand Scholarship
New Zealand Scholarship is a separate award from NCEA, and is assessed by way of external assessment only. The assessments are separate from the Level 3 assessments.
A New Zealand Scholarship is awarded if a student achieves the scholarship standard in 3 subjects. Students can also gain awards in individual subjects.
NCEA in Outline 2017
LEVEL 1
10 Level 1 Literacy + 10 Level 1 Numeracy + 60 other Level 1 (or higher) credits =
80 credits in total
NCEA LEVEL 1 COURSE ENDORSEMENT
NCEA Level 1 with Merit
(50 credits Merit and/or Excellence)
NCEA Level 1 with Excellence
(50 credits Excellence)
ENTRY TO LEVEL 2 COURSES
10 Level 1 Literacy + 10 Level 1 Numeracy + 60 other Level 1 (or higher) credits =
80 credits in total
LEVEL 2
60 Level 2 credits + 20 credits from any level + Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy =
80 credits total
NCEA LEVEL 2 COURSE ENDORSEMENT
NCEA Level 2 with Merit
(50 credits Merit and/or Excellence)
NCEA Level 2 with Excellence
(50 credits Excellence)
ENTRY TO LEVEL 3 COURSES
Usually between 14+ credits at Level 2 course in that leads into a Level 3 course
LEVEL 3
60 Level 3 credits + 20 credits from Level 2 + Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy =
80 credits total
NCEA LEVEL 3 COURSE ENDORSEMENT
NCEA Level 3 with Merit
(50 credits Merit and/or Excellence)
NCEA Level 3 with Excellence
(50 credits Excellence)
UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE
UE Numeracy
Level 1
Numeracy
10 credits UE Literacy
Level 2 or higher being
5 credits writing
5 credits reading
42 credits
Level 3 or higher
14 credits in each of 3 approved subjects + 18 other Level 3 or higher credits
NCEA - For Parents
GATEWAY / WORK EXPERIENCE
The Gateway programme offers structured workplace learning opportunities across a range of industries and local businesses while continuing to study at school.
The programme is available to senior students (Year 11 -13). The Gateway programme is designed to strengthen the pathway for learners to transition from school to the workplace.
Students who enter into the Warehouse “Red Shirts” Gateway programme must commit to a ten week programme that includes independent study and completion of assessments worth 27 Level 2 credits. Students will work at the Warehouse Waipapa one day a week (Thursday) for ten weeks.
We are also looking at offering students opportunities to gain experience working in a range of local businesses to gain a greater understanding of what is expected in this career. This will help give students more insight into further skills training and /or education needs related to their chosen career. Students will also be able to gauge whether or not this is the pathway they want to take in the future.
TRADES ACADEMIES
Whangaroa College has been a part of the Te Tai Tokerau Trades Academies for a number of years. In 2017, the Trades Academies have expanded and we are able to offer students a wider range of Trades based learning opportunities.
Year 12 students can choose ONE of the following Trades Academies:
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L2 Automotive (2 days a week - Kaikohe)
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L2 Carpentry (3 days a week - WHC)
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L2 Earthcare (1 days a week - WHC)
Year 13 students can choose ONE of the following Trades Academies:
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L2 Automotive (2 days a week - Kaikohe)
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L2 Carpentry (3 days a week - WHC)
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L3 Earthcare (1 day a week - WHC)
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L3 Cookery (1 day a week - Whangarei/Kerikeri)
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L3 Creative Arts (1 day a week - Whangarei)
Students are required to attend an interview and be recommended by the school Careers Advisor for a placement in a Trades Academy. Students must show they have been committed to their Level 1 school work (including passing Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements = 10 credits in both) and a 80% or higher attendance for 2016.
Correspondence and STAR Courses
Students can opt to take to a subject that our school does not offer as a Correspondence course through Te Kura and they will be given time on their school timetable to log onto the website to complete the work set by their correspondence teacher. For a list of available subjects please see the Careers Advisor (Ms. Amber Davidson).
Students also have the option of completing STAR courses. Most of these courses are short 2-3 day courses often held off site in Whangarei with independent training providers. Courses include Barista training, Hairdressing, Leadership and Team work, Event Management and many others. Students will be asked during the year for interest in attending these courses.
There is also a Tourism STAR course, which is a full year course similar to correspondence. This can be offered to students in Year 12 and 13. There is a Level 2 Tourism and Level 3 Tourism course available. Please see the Gateway Co-ordinator (Ms. Yvette Gillander) for more information.
For more information or guidance about Gateway, Work Experience or on choosing the right Trades Academy please contact the Careers Advisor (Ms. Amber Davidson), the Gateway Co-ordinator (Ms. Yvette Gillander) or discuss these options with the Whānau teacher.