As a Year 7-13 school, we constantly evaluate ways to make learning more cohesive, accessible, engaging, and relevant for all learners.

St Peter’s offers specialised teachers across every subject - this means that within the school, teachers are subject experts and learners themselves, as they work hard to ensure that each lesson is valuable for all students.

From Year 7, students can explore learning across a range of subjects, including technology, art, performing arts, languages, literature and literacy, mathematics, science, social sciences, and religious education, among others.

It is important in the junior years that students explore and engage with a range of subjects while they consider the goals they have for their learning and what they are interested in. While there are some compulsory subjects, there is also the space for students to make choices based on their interests, family support, and goals.

As students enter Year 11, they better understand the areas they are passionate about. There are still compulsory subjects, as students embed skills related to numeracy and literacy; however, there is now more emphasis on engagement with other selected subjects chosen by the student.

St Peter’s are proud to begin offering the ‘St Peter's Diploma’ from 2024. The Diploma acknowledges the learning journey that culminates in Year 11, preparing students for their senior years. The diploma takes the best bits of NCEA and IB and weaves them together to ensure each student experiences a seamless learning and assessment experience throughout their years at St Peter's.

Depending on the learner and their aspirations, students decide which pathway best suits them as they enter Year 12. NCEA is the best pathway for some students, while the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is more suitable for others.

Both pathways create opportunities for the learner both at school and beyond, and both IB and NCEA have teachers who are experts in their subjects. In addition, each pathway enables students to move into employment or tertiary education. Whilst this decision can be challenging for students, it is important to remember that as a school, St Peter’s has resources available to support their decision.

It is recommended that students research their options. By navigating both the IB and NCEA tiles on the St Peter’s Community Portal, talking with Teachers, Lead Deans, and the Student Futures Advisors alongside the NCEA and/or IB Coordinators, they can gather a complete picture of the options available.

Once a decision has been made, entry into NCEA involves selecting subjects through the Community Portal. If a student selects the IB pathway, they are required to complete an application form and forward it to the IB Coordinator, Mrs Foley, as well as enter their chosen subjects on the Community Portal.

2023 Course selection afternoon

On Sunday, 16 July 2023, St Peter’s will host the annual course selection event. 

Held in two parts, this event is an opportunity for students to learn more about specific subjects and whether it is a suitable fit for them. All faculties will be present, as will the NCEA and IB Coordinators, to discuss the respective pathways.

Part one of the event will take place in the RSC, where staff members and student representatives will be available from 3.00 pm-5.00 pm.

All Deans will be available to provide personalised advice, as well as offer support to students entering their course selections for 2024. The Student Futures team will also be there to assist with tertiary and vocational planning, and the St Peter’s Parents’ Association will be providing light refreshments while families circulate around the various stands.

Part two of the event, run in conjunction, offers Curriculum Presentations in the Social Science Lecture Theatre from 3.30 pm-4.30 pm on the following schedule;

• 3.30 pm - 2024 Year 11 students: curriculum design at St Peter’s, including St Peter's Diploma.

• 4.10 pm - What is NCEA, and what does this look like at St Peter's?

• 4.30 pm - What is IB, and what does this look like at St Peter's?

Please register attendance to these presentations here.

Following this, students can evaluate the information gained and enter their 2024 course selections, due by the end of Sunday, 6 August 2023.

Please click on the ‘2024 Year 9-13 Course Selection’ tile on the St Peter’s Community Portal home page here.