1. Aquinas College Options Evening An Introduction to NCEA and the Options Process

2. General Information Evening Structure Evening Structure Some Important People Some Important People HoFs and TiCs HoFs and TiCs Deans Deans Mr Mike Smith (Careers) Mr Mike Smith (Careers) Mr Fraser Graham (Director of Curriculum) Mr Fraser Graham (Director of Curriculum)

3. A Guide to Choosing Options

5. http://youthguarantee.net.nz/vocational-pathways/

6. A Guide to Choosing Options http://youthguarantee.net.nz/vocational-pathways/

7. A Guide to Choosing Options

8. All students should All students should Aim to have a wide range of subject choices – don’t ‘specialise’ too soon Aim to have a wide range of subject choices – don’t ‘specialise’ too soon Talk to teachers and parents about where they think your strengths and interests lie Talk to teachers and parents about where they think your strengths and interests lie Think about where you may be heading and plan your options to fit this Think about where you may be heading and plan your options to fit this Be aware of requirements for U.E. and future courses Be aware of requirements for U.E. and future courses

9. Important Dates: Dates to be aware of: Dates to be aware of: Senior School Examinations Senior School Examinations Thursday 11 th September – Wednesday 17 th September Thursday 11 th September – Wednesday 17 th September Level 1 Mathematics MCAT Level 1 Mathematics MCAT Thursday 18 th September Thursday 18 th September NCEA Examinations NCEA Examinations These begin on Friday 7 th November These begin on Friday 7 th November Option Choices are due Option Choices are due Friday 29 th August Friday 29 th August

10. Staff Locations

11. NCEA Basics The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is part of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is part of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). NCEA utilises Standards Based Assessment rather than Norm Referenced Assessment. NCEA utilises Standards Based Assessment rather than Norm Referenced Assessment. NCEA is based on accumulation of credits rather than gaining marks. NCEA is based on accumulation of credits rather than gaining marks. (remember the old School Cert “200 in English and your best 3 other subjects”)

12. Standards Based Assessment The necessary skills for a standard are broken down into various required elements. The necessary skills for a standard are broken down into various required elements. These elements contain criteria which must be met in order to achieve the standard. These elements contain criteria which must be met in order to achieve the standard. Standards are given a weighting called CREDITS. Standards are given a weighting called CREDITS. There are two types of standards used in NCEA: There are two types of standards used in NCEA: Unit Standards – becoming less prominent Unit Standards – becoming less prominent Achievement Standards – these are the primary option now in schools Achievement Standards – these are the primary option now in schools All students have the opportunity of achieving credits under NCEA. All students have the opportunity of achieving credits under NCEA.

13. Achievement Standards Achieved Achieved with Merit Achieved with Excellence Eg Calculating the statistics from a set of data. Eg Calculating the statistics from a set of data and comparing these with another set to form a conclusion. Eg Calculating the statistics from a set of data and comparing these with another set to form a conclusion and discussing possible improvements in the methods used.

14. Why a Mix of Internal & External? High stakes assessment, such as exams, is not always the best way to assess learning. High stakes assessment, such as exams, is not always the best way to assess learning. Some material cannot be examined by a written paper eg musical performance, speeches, some statistical processes etc. Some material cannot be examined by a written paper eg musical performance, speeches, some statistical processes etc. This ensures that learning is assessed throughout the year, not just at the year’s end! This ensures that learning is assessed throughout the year, not just at the year’s end! Examinations still happen in most subjects. Examinations still happen in most subjects.

15. Is Internal Assessment Valid? Teachers have always assessed – they know how to gauge each student’s ability accurately. Teachers have always assessed – they know how to gauge each student’s ability accurately. Consistency of internal marking is ensured by a process of external moderation: Consistency of internal marking is ensured by a process of external moderation: National moderators check sample work from every school National moderators check sample work from every school Any changes in criteria required for standards is communicated to schools through a school relationship manager in Wellington Any changes in criteria required for standards is communicated to schools through a school relationship manager in Wellington All achievement criteria are accessible on the NZQA website for students to check All achievement criteria are accessible on the NZQA website for students to check

16. NCEA Level 1 10 LITERACY CREDITS 10 NUMERACY CREDITS 60 FURTHER CREDITS

17. How are NCEA Certificates Gained? For NCEA Level 1 the requirements are: For NCEA Level 1 the requirements are: A total of 80 credits is required (these may be from either Unit Standards or Achievement Standards A total of 80 credits is required (these may be from either Unit Standards or Achievement Standards Numeracy – 10 credits must be gained in Mathematics related standards Numeracy – 10 credits must be gained in Mathematics related standards Literacy – 10 credits must be gained in reading/writing related standards Literacy – 10 credits must be gained in reading/writing related standards LAST YEAR 92% OF AQUINAS STUDENTS IN YEAR 11 GAINED THEIR LEVEL 1 NCEA COMPARED TO 78% IN DECILE EQUIVALENT SCHOOLS

18. How are NCEA Certificates Gained? For NCEA Level 2 the requirements are: For NCEA Level 2 the requirements are: A total of 80 credits – 60 credits must be from Level 2 A total of 80 credits – 60 credits must be from Level 2 You may use up to 20 credits from Level 1 You may use up to 20 credits from Level 1 There are no literacy or numeracy requirements There are no literacy or numeracy requirements HOWEVER, LEVEL 2 LITERACY IS NEEDED FOR U.E. HOWEVER, LEVEL 2 LITERACY IS NEEDED FOR U.E. LAST YEAR 89% OF AQUINAS STUDENTS IN YEAR 12 GAINED THEIR LEVEL 2 NCEA COMPARED TO 77% IN DECILE EQUIVALENT SCHOOLS

19. How are NCEA Certificates Gained? For NCEA Level 3 the requirements are: For NCEA Level 3 the requirements are: A total of 80 credits – 60 credits must be from Level 3 A total of 80 credits – 60 credits must be from Level 3 You may use up to 20 credits from Level 2 There are no literacy or numeracy requirements There are no literacy or numeracy requirements LAST YEAR 82% OF AQUINAS STUDENTS IN YEAR 13 GAINED THEIR LEVEL 3 NCEA COMPARED TO 69% IN DECILE EQUIVALENT SCHOOLS

20. What About University Entrance? The requirements for University Entrance from 2014 will be: The requirements for University Entrance from 2014 will be: Attainment of NCEA Level 3 Attainment of NCEA Level 3 At least 42 credits at Level 3 to be composed as follows: At least 42 credits at Level 3 to be composed as follows: 10 Mathematics credits from Level 1 10 Mathematics credits from Level 1 10 Literacy Credits (5 in reading & 5 in writing) from Level 2 10 Literacy Credits (5 in reading & 5 in writing) from Level 2 RE is a UE approved subject (from 2012) RE is a UE approved subject (from 2012) 14 Credits must come from one approved subject 14 Credits must come from a second approved subject 14 Credits must come from a third approved subject LAST YEAR 81% OF AQUINAS STUDENTS IN YEAR 13 GAINED THEIR UE COMPARED TO 65% IN DECILE EQUIVALENT SCHOOLS

21. Certificate Endorsements NCEA certificates may be gained with two forms of endorsement NCEA certificates may be gained with two forms of endorsement Merit Endorsement: If a candidate gains 50 credits or more at a Merit level or higher they may be awarded their NCEA with a Merit endorsement Merit Endorsement: If a candidate gains 50 credits or more at a Merit level or higher they may be awarded their NCEA with a Merit endorsement Excellence Endorsement: If a candidate gains 50 credits or more at an Excellence level they may be awarded their NCEA with an Excellence endorsement Excellence Endorsement: If a candidate gains 50 credits or more at an Excellence level they may be awarded their NCEA with an Excellence endorsement

22. Options Timeline Please remember that the deadline for returning Option Choice Sheets is Friday 29 th August Please remember that the deadline for returning Option Choice Sheets is Friday 29 th August

23. Have an enjoyable evening! And hopefully you’re not feeling too much like this!

24. Staff Locations