Course Selection

You will find at Heretaunga College that we provide exciting contextualised courses for our senior students to select from.  It is our vision to provide appropriate pathways for our students, and where possible, to ensure that their interests and varying levels of ability are widely catered for.  

Thus, our course structure has been designed to provide the widest possible flexibility in course choice, and should the need arise, provide opportunities for pursuing courses at more than one level in the same year.  Our courses therefore cater for students who are planning to go to university, polytechnic or other tertiary institutions, and also for students who are planning to enter the workforce at the end of Year 12 or Year 13. 

It is important that our students and their caregivers take advantage of the opportunities for advice which the school provides as they plan courses for the coming year. We encourage caregivers and students to work together in this decision-making process.  Please join us for the Pathway Course Selection Evening to be held at the end of August here at the school.  

Please feel free to contact your child’s Kaiarahi and/or year level Dean for support.  Please ask questions of them to ensure you are fully informed prior to making the course selection.   

Year 11 Student Requirements 

• Students must choose 7 courses.  
• Students may choose up to 2 courses within a curriculum area. 
• English is compulsory. 
• Mathematics is compulsory. 
• A Science subject is highly recommended. 
• Students should aim to have breadth in their course selection   

Year 12 Student Requirements 

• Students must choose 7 courses. 
• Students may choose up to 2 courses within a curriculum area. 
• English is compulsory. 
• Students must ensure that their course selections provide them with opportunity to gain UE literacy 

Year 13 Student Requirements 

• Students must choose 7 courses. 
• Students may choose up to 2 courses within a curriculum area. 
• Students must ensure that their course selections provide them with opportunity to gain UE (14 credits from 3 domains, and UE literacy)  

New Zealand Scholarship 

Students who excel academically may also enter for a New Zealand Scholarship (as well as NCEA Level 3) in 1 or more subjects. 

The content of the Scholarship course is the same as for NCEA Level 3 but on top of that students will be expected to do independent work in greater depth.  All assessments are external (i.e. exams) and are standards based.   

Year Level Deans: