Subject choice is an important process in your school year. You need to consider a number of factors when choosing your subjects for next year. Think carefully about your learning and talk with as many people as you can about the variety of subjects available to you.

CHOOSING A COURSE

Choose subjects or a course that:

• you enjoy and are likely to do well in
• will allow you to get the qualifications you need
• will lead you to the career you have in mind
• you are good at
• provides a pathway supporting future plans
• will be broad enough to allow flexibility if you change your mind in the future

HOW MANY SUBJECTS DO I STUDY?

QUALIFICATIONS

All learning leads towards gaining a National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Subjects in Year 9 and 10 build the foundations for learning in Year 11 and success in gaining qualifications. All subjects at Level 1, 2 and 3 in the senior school are assessed against achievement standards which are worth credits.

NCEA CHANGE – KEY INFORMATION

Over the next few years, NCEA will transition from its current form into a new qualification.

• In 2024 the new NCEA level 1 standards will be taught.

NCEA Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 will become a 60 credit qualification.

Level 2 and Level 3 standards remain the same.

• In 2026 the new NCEA level 2 standards will be taught.

• In 2027 the new NCEA level 3 standards will be taught.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY CO-REQUISITE

In 2024, the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite, which sits outside of the new NCEA qualification, becomes mandatory. All students at AGHS will need to sit this exam.

Ākonga will only be awarded an NCEA qualification once they have passed the Literacy and Numeracy corequisite.

Note that in 2024 and 2025, to help with this transition, ākonga can also achieve numeracy and literacy through a list of additional approved standards. These standards can be viewed on the NCEA website.

ENDORSEMENTS

Course and certificate endorsement requirements remain the same. Students will be required to gain 14 or more credits in a course at Achieved, Merit or Excellence (including at least 3 external and 3 internal credits) to gain a course endorsement.

Certificate endorsement continues to require 50 or more credits at Merit or Excellence level.

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE (UE) REQUIREMENTS

This remains unchanged for 2024.

• NCEA Level 3 Certificate
• 14 credits in each of the 3 subjects from the list of approved subjects
• UE numeracy - 10 numeracy credits at level 1 or higher
• UE literacy - 10 literacy credits at level 2 (5 reading, 5 writing). These can be gained from specific standards in a number of different subjects.

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION

It is recommended that you need to achieve a complete NCEA certificate at each level in order to take a full programme at the next level.

• Year 12 students who have not achieved NCEA Level 1 may take a mixture of Level 2 and Level 1 subjects.
• Year 13 students who have not achieved NCEA Level 2 should not take 5 level 3 subjects and could do a multi-level programme of learning, if this best suits your pathway.

Some courses have recommended learning. Please consider this when you choose your courses. At Level 3, it is recommended that you have prior learning for some subjects. If you have any queries or concerns about entry to a subject you should talk to your Ako teacher.

Some ākonga may wish to study subjects across levels. If this is the case, please speak to your kaitiaki.

CAREER EDUCATION

Career Education aims at developing career competencies appropriate for each level. These include self- awareness, exploring opportunities, deciding and acting, skills for job search and the world of work.

• All students participate in a range of Career Development activities during their Ako time using "My Mahi".
• Year 13 students have an individual interview to assist them in planning their future. There is also a range of career presentations and seminar for Year 13 students throughout the year. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All students can make an appointment for a career interview at any time.

• The department aims to "touch base" with students to assist their pathway planning.
• All students have access to career resources.
• A staff member is available each lunchtime to help students.
• Any student in the senior school may request a work experience of up to 5 days.
• A range of needs-based STAR courses are available to provide hands on experience and assist with career decision making.
• The Gateway Programme is available to Year 12 and 13 students. This assists students to gain vocational credits while undertaking extended work experience in a career that they are considering pursuing.
• There is an opportunity for Year 12 and 13 students to dual enroll to study 1 or 2 days per week at a Trades Academy.
• A job search programme is available to Year 12 and 13 students who are in transition from school.
• Lunchtime talks on a range of careers and tertiary education opportunities are held throughout the year.

For further information about Career Education or support, please email Ms Guinness at nguinness@avonside.school.nz

VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS

Achieving success in a Vocational Pathway means that as a student you have developed skills and knowledge in areas that employers value and are relevant to their industries.

If you are aiming for a career in a particular sector, the Vocational Pathways tools can help you to see which subjects and standards you should do to get to where you want to go. If you are undecided on a career, the pathways can help you see how your strengths and interests match up to an amazing range of jobs and study options available.

To get started visit: The 'Profile builder' http://youthguarantee.net.nz which provides information about jobs and study options. The 'Occupation Outlook' shows where the real job opportunities exist.

Below are the different vocational pathways. Throughout the booklet, each Learning Area will outline which VP they cater to within their subjects.

AVONSIDE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2024