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Subjects, Qualifications and University Pathways

International —

Qualified staff help you achieve the most from your Columba College education.

Columba College offers a wide range of subjects and students are afforded flexibility in some of their chosen areas of study.

The Principal reviews the year level curriculum appropriate for each girl. With input from the International Department and the College’s teachers, the Principal prepares each individual girl’s timetable, monitors attendance daily, and tracks academic performance and English proficiency and will intercede on her behalf when necessary.

The Years 7 and 8 curriculum is closely aligned with the secondary curriculum. In Years 9-13 students receive more choice with the subjects they would like to study.

In addition to the academic opportunities Columba College offers, there are a range of co-curricular activities students can take part in.

Participation in sports clubs, co-curricular activities and community service are noted and included in curriculum vitaes prepared for attachment to university applications.

Qualifications and University pathways

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main national qualification for secondary school students in New Zealand. NCEA is recognised by employers, and used for selection by universities and polytechnics, both in New Zealand and overseas. Students are recognised for high achievement at each level by gaining NCEA with Merit or NCEA with Excellence.

Columba’s International students are strong performers in NCEA, often achieving merit and excellence endorsements. We also offer a full IELTS programme and SAT tutoring.

The International staff will help girls who need to arrange examinations. They will also assist with organising documentation and support when International students apply for entrance to a tertiary institution. Such assistance has proven to be invaluable with considerable success being enjoyed by our International students applying to highly regarded overseas universities.