All students take English (please choose an option that suits) and Mathematics. All students take four additional subjects.

Course selection for Level 1 - Click HERE to see the presentation.

All classes fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum, and prepare students for NCEA Level 1 qualifications. Each subject will offer a maximum of 15 credits (compared to the current system of up to 20). This will continue to prepare students for Level 2 and beyond, but will keep assessment to a minimum with more time to focus on Learning key skills.

While some subjects can be picked up at Level 1, others cannot. French, German and Te Reo Māori require prior knowledge. Ākonga need the permission of the Head of Learning Area to pick up Art and Music. On the other hand Commerce, Drama, Fabric Technology, Food and Nutrition, Geography, Graphics, History, Digital Technologies and Physical Education can be started at this level. Science is no longer compulsory but strongly recommended if deciding to keep options open for Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Level 2.

Students should look ahead to the subjects offered at Level 2 and 3 and ensure that they are thinking of their future tertiary education. Our Level 1 subjects are broad and offer ākonga a range of skills and thinking processes which will enable ākonga to participate confidently in well-informed discussion, enhance their enjoyment of life and provide an insight into their personal strengths which can be developed in further education.

Ākonga should choose subjects in which they have an interest and in which they can succeed.

Criteria for a Level 1 National Certificate

• 60 credits at Level 1 or above. Ākonga will also need to attain the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisites in order to gain Level 1, 2 or 3. 

Reporting of progress:

Parents will continue to receive timely and specific feedback on their child’s learning and progress. Parent-teacher meetings will be held in Term 2 in 2024 to discuss ākonga's progress in each subject. It is important to note that students working at the expected level for their Learning and Engagement Reports, as well as progress results visible on the portal will indicate they are working at Level 6 (Year 11) of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and will be well prepared for the academic challenge of NCEA Level 2.