Innovative Junior Curriculum (Years 9 and 10)

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In Years 9 and 10, our Innovative Junior Curriculum is designed to build a solid foundation across the five core subjects of English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, and Social Science. Additionally, students will explicitly develop the capabilities of self-management, communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and global leadership.

When entering Howick College, students have a choice of three programmes, the Integrated Subjects Programme, the Single Subject Programme and the Sport in Education Programme. To learn more about what each has to offer, please click on the buttons below. 

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The three programmes approach teaching and learning differently, but they each cover the core capabilities and the 5 core subject skills required so that students can progress to be successful NCEA graduates.  To complement their chosen core programme, students will also select a variety of optional subjects from areas such as Technology, the Arts, Languages and Business.

Whichever programme a student chooses, the aim of the Innovative Junior Curriculum is to encourage students to experience a diversity of subject fields that support them to be passionate independent learners, who are self-motivated and ready to aim for excellence in senior school and beyond.
 

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Senior Curriculum (Year 11 to 13 / NCEA Level 1 to 3)

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Throughout the senior school, there continues to be an explicit focus on providing students with a holistic education.  Howick College supports students to gain high academic achievement and develop the capabilities which allow graduates to engage positively with and participate in society.

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From Year 11, students will choose six subjects and be assessed using the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) system.  The NCEA qualification is New Zealand’s primary assessment qualification which is recognised and accepted internationally. 

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In each subject, skills and knowledge will be assessed against a variety of standards.  A range of internal and external assessments are used to measure how well students meet these standards. When students achieve a standard, they will gain a number of credits. Students must obtain 60 credits to gain an NCEA Certificate.  There are three levels of NCEA Certificate and generally students work through Levels 1 to 3 from Year 11 to 13, but these can be gained over more than one year.

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All students are encouraged to pursue high achievement by gaining NCEA with Merit or Excellence. When students perform consistently above the ‘Achieved’ level, their results can be ‘endorsed’ to reflect their high level of commitment and academic excellence. This is recognised through Endorsement Certificates awarded at each level and in each course.

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At NCEA Level 3, students will need to obtain a certain number of credits in approved subjects, plus literacy and numeracy, to gain University Entrance requirements.