Year 11 - 13 Course Selection Tips

Senior Course selection is due by.......

The following rules and restrictions apply to course selection (please read carefully for your relevant year level). 

All students in Year 11, 12 & 13 will automatically be placed in a wānanga grouping.  

All students are responsible for checking course information carefully before choosing. Students need to be aware what credits are available,  the kind of learning you will be doing, and other commitments of the course. 

All students must select a back-up course, in addition to their six main selections. 

All students should browse courses use the 'Favourites' functions before committing to their final course selection. Final course selection is due ........ 

ESOL students: all students who are ESOL funded need to choose a course in ESOL (see Mrs Talili or Mrs Cox if you are unsure).

Current Year 10s (Year 11 in 2025)

• You will choose Level 1 courses.
• You will choose a total of 6 different courses, plus 1 back up course. The 6 courses will include the 3 compulsory NCEA Level 1 subjects.
• You must select an English course (see English Department tab) OR a Te Reo Māori course by prior approval (NB: you can do both an English course and a Te Reo Māori course if you want to).
• You must select a course in Mathematics (see Mathematics Department tab).
• You must select Science as a compulsory subject also.  
• For your remaining course selections, it is recommended you choose a balanced range of courses. 
• ESOL funded students must choose an ESOL course (see Mrs Talili/Mrs Cox if you are unsure).

Current Year 11s (Year 12 in 2025)

• Level 2 students will choose a total of 6 courses. 
• You will choose mainly Level 2 courses (but it is also okay to do Level 1 courses if that's what you need, based on 2024 results.)
• You must select an English course (see English Department tab) OR a Te Reo Māori course by prior approval (NB: you can do both an English course and a Te Reo Māori course if you want to).
• For the remaining 5 courses, , it is recommended you choose a balanced range of courses, and courses that meet your academic and/or career goals. 
• Please pay attention to recommended prior learning for the courses you choose. Some courses are difficult to pick up at Level 2, if you have missed Level 1 learning. Contact the Teacher in Charge if you are unsure, or need advice. 
• ESOL funded students must choose an ESOL course (see Mrs Talili or Mrs Cox if you are unsure).

Current Year 12s (Year 13 in 2025) 

• Level 3 students will choose a total of 6 courses. 
• You will choose mainly Level 3 courses (but it is also okay to do Level 2, or even Level 1 courses if that's what you need). 
• There are no compulsory courses in Year 13. 
• If you aspire to attend university, or qualify for a degree-level course, you need to be mindful of which courses are University Entrance (UE) approved. This will be indicated in the course description. 
• ESOL funded students must choose an ESOL course (see Mrs Talili/Mrs Cox if you are unsure).

Making good decisions at course selection time:

✔ Choose courses you will enjoy and will challenge you,

✔ Choose a balance of courses, across a range of subject areas (especially if you are unsure what you want to in the future), 

✔ Choose subjects that will help you towards your chosen study or career pathway (if you have one). Browse the Pathways link,and have a look at the connected careers for each course. 

✔ Ask plenty of questions. Your wānanga teacher, other teachers, deans and our careers advisor are happy to help! Also, ask your parents and caregivers...they're wise!

✖ Don't choose based on what your friends are doing (it's your future!) 

✖ Don't choose based on the teacher (which teacher teaches which course can change).