NCEA

Our CurriculumNCEA

At St Peter’s, Cambridge we are proud to offer our New Zealand national qualification — the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). NCEA is a forward-thinking approach to education because of its flexible structures and assessment, which allow students to demonstrate skills and knowledge through authentic learning contexts. This highly regarded qualification is recognised around the world.

St Peter’s offers a large range of subject options. NCEA allows us to offer our students huge flexibility in their course programming to prepare them for whatever the future may hold. The flexibility of NCEA means students can focus their studies on a combination of subjects suited to their future aspirations or interests. Alternatively, students can choose a range of subjects that ensure breadth of knowledge and skill development. Students take six subjects at Year 11 and 12 and five in Year 13 plus a study line.

At St Peter’s we offer NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3. These levels usually align with Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13, respectively. Tailored programming at St Peter’s means that students may be able to combine work at more than one level within one school year to meet extension or support needs.

We provide effective academic planning and tracking systems, which help students to choose courses that will meet NCEA requirements at each level. Students can track how they are progressing throughout the year. Careers advice is available alongside academic planning to ensure that students are aware of how to meet entrance requirements for their chosen tertiary study or entry into the workforce.

The NCEA qualification offers a standards-based assessment model. Learning is assessed in small sections called standards. A variety of methods are employed depending on what suits a particular standard. Most NCEA courses are a mix of internally assessed and externally assessed standards which suits many students.

Eighty-four percent of our students go on to university study. Level 2 is considered the minimum qualification for further education. Most students at St Peter’s stay on through to Level 3 (Year 13), making the most of the opportunities available to them. University Entrance is most often earned at Level 3. Families are advised to check university websites for the entrance requirements of specific courses or liaise with the careers advisors.

Also considering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma? Click below for more guidence on which pathway will work best for you.

NCEA or International Baccalaureate (IB)?