Each year, Te Kura o te Tauawa Halswell School offers Years 4-8 students the chance to participate in the University of New South Wales International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) programme. These exams have been conducted for over 40 years and provide students with the chance to challenge themselves and measure their achievement in a range of subjects. The assessments have been designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. While the tests are administered by the school, they are independent of the school programme.

All exams are completed online. Children in Years 4-8 are able to take part with the charge for each test being $22.50 except for writing which is $28.75. All test registrations and payment are now done through the ICAS online shop.

Click here to order and use the access code CUE368. Ordering closes on Monday 28 July.

Subject Sitting Dates (times TBC)

• ICAS Writing: Monday 4 August 2025

• ICAS Digital Technologies: Friday 8 August 2025

• ICAS English: Wednesday 13 August 2025

• ICAS Science: Friday 22 August 2025

• ICAS Spelling Bee: Monday 18 August 2025

• ICAS Mathematics: Wednesday 27 August 2025

Please note that as the assessments are administered online, they only 'open' for specific time periods. If your child is absent on the day of the assessment, then it will not be possible to sit it on another day. In this instance, you can apply for a refund from Janison ICAS assessments - see the ICAS website for information.

If you would like to give your child a chance to ‘practice’ these tests, ICAS past papers can be purchased online here. If you have any questions, you can visit the ICAS website and are welcome to contact me anita.head@halswell.school.nz

Your child’s ICAS certificates will be delivered to school. Once we have received them, we will present them to your child to bring home. The back of the certificate will show your child’s ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”. - Use these to access the Results Portal https://orti.icasassessments.com/ortiSchool