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Subject Selection
 
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Subject Selection and Pathway Planning

Lesley Signal-Cambridge —

Time for students/ākonga in Years 10, 11 and 12 to be selecting the subjects that will make up their course of study for 2023.

Year 9 students will make their selections of the options they will study next year, in Year 10, during Term 4. This timing enables them to have experienced all the rotations available this year, meaning they are better placed to make informed choices.

Things to consider

Students/Ākonga have been provided with information about what they should be considering, and the processes involved at school.

It is important that young people select the subjects that make up their course of study from a range of learning areas, in order to maintain a breadth of skills and knowledge, and to protect their future choices.

Where students/ākonga are confident about the field they wish to study or work in, they should pay close attention to the specific requirements and prerequisites for that field - keeping in mind that they may change their mind, so need to maintain the most demanding and most broadly based course possible.

Whānau and students have been emailed the link to our Subject Guide for 2023, and it would be beneficial to spend some time familiarising yourselves with the breadth of subjects available, which are described in the guide. The guide also contains valuable information about qualifications, along with subject content and prerequisites.

Here is the link to the Subject Guide - www.queens.school.nz/academic/subject-guide-2023/

Whānau - in the email you received advising you on how to access the KAMAR Parent Portal to enter subject choices, there were a number of links that will help you guide your young people in their choices. There are also a number of helpful resources available to students/ākonga on their Year Level Google Classrooms. They should look under ‘Classwork’, then the topic “Subject Selection/ Pathway Planning”.

It is really important that students/ākonga make careful and considered decisions regarding their subject choices, as the school timetable is developed around this information - creating a timetable that allows as many students as possible to access the course they want. Therefore, once the choices are processed, it is not always possible, nor easy, for students/ākonga to make changes.

Please support your daughter in making her choices - you will have valuable insights to share with her, and discussing her options with her will help her make good decisions. Once again - there are links below that will help you with these discussions, and many more useful links were contained in the email regarding this process.

Meeting Times available

In addition to the Pathway Planning evening this week, appointments can be made on 13 or 14 September, using the Skool Loop App. Simply go to the Interviews tab, choose ‘Lesley Signal-Cambridge”, then select the date that works for you. Next, select the time you want. It will then ask you to put in your details. Finally, click ‘book interview’.

You will receive confirmation of a 10-15 minute appointment time.

Significant Dates

22 August

Course information was made available on the Queen’s High School website.

Ongoing

Students/Ākonga reminded of what to consider when choosing future subjects, and of the process involved.

5 September

Parent Portal opened for entering subject selections.

Students/ākonga currently in Years 10, 11 and 12.

13 September

Subject Selection interviews - 2.30pm - 6.00pm.

By appointment, through Skool Loop.

14 September

Subject Selection interviews - 2.30pm - 6.00pm.

By appointment, through Skool Loop.

13 September

Parent Portal closes - 3.00pm

Term 4 - early

Year 9 students will be introduced to the course selection process.

The Parent Portal will be available for entering courses in weeks 2 - 3.

Late Term 4

It is anticipated that timetables will be completed and confirmed for students/ākonga at all levels by the end of this school year.

Students/ākonga would benefit from discussing questions about specific subjects with their current classroom teacher, the Teacher in Charge (as shown in the subject guide), or the Head of Department for that learning area.

Their Dean knows them well, and they too could provide very helpful support and guidance in this process. Additionally, feel free to contact the Pathways Team Leader - Lesley Signal-Cambridge by email - lesleys@queens.school.nz.

Thank you for your support in helping the girls to make the best choices possible in this important process.

Check out these resources, to help you help your daughter.

https://www.careers.govt.nz/ncea-subject-choice/

https://www.careers.govt.nz/articles/talking-careers-with-your-young-person/ing-careers-with-your-young-person/