What they learn
This information applies to English-medium schools only. For information about what Year 9-13 students in Maori-medium settings learn, visit the Te Marautanga o Aotearoa area on TKI
Until Year 10 all students have opportunities to achieve to the best of their abilities across the breadth and depth of The New Zealand Curriculum within all learning areas – including values and key competencies. This lays a foundation for living and for further learning. Students’ learning progress is closely linked to their ongoing development of literacy and numeracy skills
In Years 11 to 13, students can choose which subjects they want to study for NCEA. Taking a wide variety of subjects will help keep their options open as plans often change as teens’ interests and abilities develop.
Choosing school subjects
A key time when students need help is when they are choosing the subjects they want to study in Year 11. In most schools this happens midway through Year 10. This is when they need to start looking into the qualifications they will need when they leave school and move on to work or tertiary study.
Tertiary courses have differing requirements so students need to make sure they keep their options open as long as possible, especially if they are not sure what they want to do.
In addition to the traditional subject areas, many schools offer courses that lead to trades or vocations such as travel and tourism, engineering and hospitality. These courses may be assessed by unit standards and credited to the NCEA.
Who can help
The careers advisor at your teen’s school will be able to provide advice on subject choices and how they may affect future options. In many cases they may be able to help your teenager to develop an individual learning plan. They can also advise on whether there are some subjects, like English and mathematics that are compulsory.
The Career Services website also has lots of useful information to help your teen work out the best subject choices.