Tomorrow is a big day at Carmel as the third Christmas Market takes place. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our community that our PTFA has spent months planning and preparing for. Not only is the market a fundraising opportunity whereby proceeds raised will go back into our school to benefit our students, but it also brings our community together.
Last night we held an information evening for Year 10 parents, caregivers and students, as in 2025 Year 11 students will not be assessed using NCEA Level 1 Achievement Standards. The New Zealand Curriculum will be taught and assessed, however, as students will not be assessed using NCEA Level 1 Achievement Standards they will not be able to gain NCEA Level 1.
This decision has been made as we are not confident that the ‘new’ NCEA Level 1 Achievement Standards are adequately preparing our students for NCEA Level 2 across all subject areas. The rationale around this is explained HERE, but it is important to note that the revised new NCEA Level 2 and 3 Achievement Standards, initially due for implementation in 2026 and 2027, are now not due until 2028 and 2029. Unfortunately, this has left a significant disconnect in some learning areas between NCEA Level 1 and NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
2024 has been the first year that the ‘new’ NCEA Level 1 Achievement Standards have been implemented. For a range of reasons, some schools decided not to implement the standards at all, some chose a hybrid approach of assessing some standards but not enough for students to gain NCEA Level 1, and others chose to implement the new standards.
To find out more about the NCEA Change programme, please see the attached document titled ‘Background to NCEA Changes’. Should anyone in our community have questions regarding Year 11, please do not hesitate to contact me directly and I will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
In the final coming weeks for 2024 there is still a lot happening around the school, with activity week and Year 10 camp now only weeks away. These opportunities to see our young women experience new things and to learn outside of the classroom, are so valuable. A lot of time has gone into planning and preparing the activity week which we know all will enjoy. I wish to also remind you all, that if your family is experiencing financial hardship that may impact your daughter participating in activities and events, please do not hesitate to contact the college.
We look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow at the market to enjoy the sun, food, gifts and products available in the numerous stalls and to enjoy the atmosphere that this wonderful PTFA lead event brings to our community.
