Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) in Literacy and Numeracy are standardised assessments designed to ensure consistency, reliability, and equity in measuring student achievement. These activities form a critical part of the national approach to assessing foundational skills and are aligned with curriculum outcomes. Literacy and numeracy are fundamental capabilities that underpin success in all learning areas and in everyday life.

The CAAs are a required component of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and sit alongside NCEA within the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) framework. Students need to show that they have foundational reading, writing and numeracy skills to gain an NCEA qualification. These skills will support students to succeed in further study, employment, and life.

The Numeracy CAA is a single assessment worth 10 credits. The Literacy CAAs are divided into two separate assessments, Reading and Writing, each worth 5 credits, for a total of 10 credits in literacy. The Numeracy credit value reflects the critical role that quantitative reasoning plays across all learning areas, and for Literacy, the two papers demonstrate an individual’s ability to effectively understand, interpret, and communicate through written language.

At Rangi Ruru, we do the CAAs in Year 10, in September. For the majority of students this means that they have achieved this milestone before a full year of Level 1 in Year 11.

There may be some students who are not academically ready to complete the assessments in Year 10. We will contact families about this in due course as we want our students to be as ready as possible to succeed. Students who are not successful in one or more, have an additional opportunity in May the following year. Teachers have spent time, and will continue to do so, preparing students for these both in class and by providing resources. More information regarding this will come before the end of term.

An Enduring Gift

In the last couple of weeks, our junior students received a meaningful and enduring gift, personal copies of the New Testament, generously donated by the Christchurch branch of the Gideons.

The Gideons are well known worldwide for their mission to make the Bible accessible, and we are grateful for their support of young people in our community. Each compact New Testament also includes Psalms and Proverbs and is designed to be easily carried and a personal resource for reflection, encouragement, and spiritual growth.

The students were respectful and appreciative of the gift, with many taking the time to look through the pages and reflect on its significance.

Some of the students shared their thanks:

Lucy: "Thank you so much for the bibles. We really appreciate it and you never know if a person needs it, so it was a very kind thing for you to do, thanks again."

Lauren: "On behalf of Year 10, thank you for the New Testaments, I'm sure that most of Year 10 will use them, if not now, then later in life, thank you."

We extend our sincere thanks to the Christchurch Gideons, in particular Mr Brian Boddy for their thoughtful donation. For those students who received a copy, we hope it becomes a source of inspiration, comfort, and strength throughout their journey.

Juliet Collins

Deputy Principal, Curriculum