As we quickly head towards the middle of Term 3, option choices for 2025 are being presented to students, whilst senior students are balancing completing their internal assessments and preparing for Assessment Week.  On top of this, the winter sports season is heading towards its conclusion with finals having been played this week and some taking place this weekend.  Following this, there is Winter Tournament Week in Week 7 and AIMS for students in Year 7&8 during Week 8.

When it comes to option choices, this can be daunting for both students and parents, especially those who are new to NCEA.  Whilst the turnout at last week’s option and NCEA Information Evening was well attended, we appreciate that understanding how NCEA ‘works’ can be a challenge.  Understanding how credits are gained, what the difference is between an internal and an external achievement standard, how standards are marked with either Excellence, Merit, Achieved or Not Achieved, and how important matters like authenticity are managed, may be some of the questions you have.

This year there have been multiple and various changes to curriculum and assessment.  At NCEA Level 1 there has been the implementation of new achievement standards, with our Year 11 students working towards these, whilst changes to standards at NCEA Level 2 and 3 have been extended until 2028 and 2029.  During our Week 9 Assessment Week, Year 10 students will be sitting the common assessment activities (CAAs) for literacy and numeracy, which is now a co-requisite required to be awarded any level of NCEA.

For students who are working towards NCEA in 2024, below is a diagram that illustrates what is required to be awarded at each level of NCEA.

When students come to choose their subjects for 2025, it is important that their choices are not driven by assessments and associated credits.  For students to be successful in their learning they must engage with the subject and its content and, to do so successfully, relates to their level of interest and enjoyment.  If students are struggling to choose subjects, it is best to select a broad range in order to keep their options open in the coming years.  For example, whilst Mathematics in Year 12/Level 2 is optional, in light of recent changes to teacher training entry requirements in which applicants must have achieved Level 2 Mathematics, we strongly encourage students to be vigilant and make sure they are making informed decisions.

If your daughter or yourself have any questions and require advice and guidance in choosing options, please do not hesitate to contact their dean, or our Careers Adviser, Mrs Lois Bruce.

Over the last two weeks it has been very pleasing to see our young women also involved in the arts.  Our Orchestra performed at the KBB Music Festival and were awarded a Bronze, whilst our Year 11 Drama students successfully performed a shortened version of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare over four evenings.  Coming up next Wednesday evening is our Cultural Evening, where we will be able to celebrate the vibrant cultures of our Carmel community with an evening full of amazing performances and music.

As always, it is wonderful to see, through participation and success in the above mentioned extracurricular activities, our young women developing the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their own personal excellence and preparing to challenge and shape their futures, whilst being young woman of Mercy who act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.