Advice for Students Entering Year 11

Year 11 Course Requirements

Students will be required to study six subjects. The following subjects are compulsory:

• English Or ESOL
• Mathematics
• Science 

To review the subjects available in Year 11, visit the Howick College Pathway Map:  

https://howick.schoolpoint.co.nz/site/howick-college-pathway-map

In selecting a programme students need to ask themselves:

• What qualifications do I want to gain while at school?
• What qualifications and courses do I need for further study, or for the career I hope to do when I leave school?
• Does my subject selection provide enough flexibility to change courses or direction in the future?
• Will I be appropriately challenged and have a good chance of success in this course?

Have I discussed my preferences with my parents and teachers (Tutor, Dean, Subject Teacher, Head of Department or Careers Adviser)?

Do not select subjects for the wrong reasons, such as:

• You like or dislike a teacher!
• You have a friend in the class!
• You think it’s a boy’s/girl’s subject!
• You think it might be too difficult!
• You think it will fit in better with your part-time job!
• You don’t have anything else to do!

NCEA Level 1 Certificate Requirements

• To gain a Level 1 NCEA Certificate students must obtain 60 credits (from 2024)
• These credits are gained by obtaining Achievement Standards/Unit Standards in each subject.
• Most Year 11 subjects that Howick College offers provide the potential to gain 18 to 24 credits.
• From 2024, learners will need to achieve a 20-credit co-requisite using either the new literacy and numeracy, te reo matatini and pāngarau standards or an approved list of literacy and numeracy-rich assessment standards to be awarded an NCEA.

Key Points to Note:

• Courses will only be provided if there are sufficient student enrolments. If necessary related courses will be amalgamated to form a viable class size.
• Howick College will endeavor to accommodate student subject choices. It will develop a timetable structure that best meets the requirements of the greatest possible number of students.
• Multi-level study is an essential component of the college curriculum. Students may study at any of the different levels, however, any students wishing to study at a higher level must have the approval of the appropriate Head of Department and have the potential to gain excellence.
• Some subjects require students to pay material contributions; these contributions vary from subject to subject.
• Some subjects have field trips as part of their course and students must be prepared to participate and pay the appropriate trip donations.
• All subject material contributions or arrangements for payment must be made at the beginning of the course.