This guide provides information that will enable our rangatahi to select a course that will be challenging and rewarding and will provide access to further education and training at higher levels of the National Qualifications Framework.

• The subject information evening will be held on Tuesday 2 September for whānau and students.

• Every effort is made to meet student preferences for course selection.

• A useful course planner sheet and table is attached below.

• When you have made your subject choices, please go online to the Villa Maria College portal and enter your preferred choices by: Tuesday 9 September.

To enter subject selection on the portal choose ‘Course Selection’, then use the pull-down boxes to enter preferred subject choices. Please note, once the lists have been collated, they go to the Head of House to allow subject choice conversations to occur (often in consultation with Head of Faculty). Year 11 students should only choose their options.

Subject choices need to be made by the due date. The College works to create individualised courses and some advertised subjects may not be able to run if there are insufficient numbers. In these cases girls may be asked to make another choice.

At Villa Maria College, we place a strong emphasis on developing critical, digital and numerical literacies which will support ākonga in their studies and life beyond school. The development of the key competencies reflects the value we place on reaching a balance between academic, physical, cultural, social and spiritual growth.

The Junior College curriculum at Villa Maria reflects the intentions of Te Mataiaho (the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum). This includes providing a broad range of subjects in Years 7 to 10, and ensures students have access to the eight essential learning areas from the National Curriculum Framework.

Our Religious Education programme is a reflection of the College’s special character. We encourage all ākonga to develop their potential. Targeted tracking identifies ākonga strengths and weaknesses and learning needs are supported through a variety of school programmes, for example Learning Support and Gifted and Talented (GATE). Junior classes are generally grouped according to House groups for core subjects (Religious Education, Social Studies, Physical Education, Science, Mathematics and English).

The programmes at Villa Maria College provide a range of opportunities for ākonga of all abilities to be challenged through engaging learning activities to stretch their understanding of the world and their place in it. The kura values deep learning and seeks to provide a breadth of subjects for ākonga in Year 11. Some achievement standards are offered in Year 11 courses (generally only one), and the focus is on learning and exposing ākonga to a variety of subjects. The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is offered at Year 12 and 13 levels, and Universities and Polytechnics use this qualification in selecting students for places in tertiary training. 

At times, students will select subjects at different levels and Heads of Faculty may adapt the course and standards offered to better meet the needs of ākonga. This Curriculum Guide shows subject choices for all levels and enables you to make decisions based on where you are now and what lies ahead in subsequent years.

NCEA is continuing to evolve. The NCEA change package is currently being implemented across Aotearoa/New Zealand and a review of Achievement Standards is being brought in over the coming four years which highlights significant changes in the future. 

The Subject Choice evening is another valuable opportunity. Ākonga are encouraged to seek information and advice from subject teachers, Heads of Faculty, Heads of House, the Careers Advisor, and others who work in a range of occupational fields.

Please note course contributions are indicative only and will be confirmed at the beginning of 2026. Parents are encouraged to contact the College if they require further information or details about any aspect of their daughter’s academic programme.