Menu
"The Board of Trustees and the Diocesan Board work in harmony to promote the best outcomes for students. A comprehensive cycle of review effectively sets direction for continuous school improvement. Using student achievement and information gathered through consultation with the community, they set sound strategic goals."
ERO 2010
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (or NCEA) is the national qualification for senior secondary school students. It is part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) which includes a range of other certificates and qualifications.
For many courses, most assessment is through exams (external assessment) but all courses will have parts that are internally assessed (marked in the school). Internal assessment is used for parts of the curriculum that an exam is unsuitable for (such as research skills or practical performance), or as preparation for external assessment.
How does NCEA work?
The NCEA is awarded at three levels. Level One is mainly designed for Year 11 students, Level Two for Year 12, and Level Three for Year 13 (there is also a separate Scholarship exam at Year 13).
Each subject has developed a number of Achievement and/or Unit Standards at each level. Achievement Standards are assessed either externally (usually by exam) or internally assessed (by teachers within the school); Unit Standards are all internally assessed. They make it clear what level of work and knowledge is necessary.
Each Achievement or Unit Standard is worth a set number of credits. If the set level is met, a student will receive all the credits for that Standard. If it is for an Achievement Standard it will be recognised as being achieved it at either a satisfactory (Achieved) level, a very good level (Merit), or at an outstanding level (Excellence). The grade does not affect how many credits gained however. Most senior courses at Nga Tawa have between 18 and 26 credits available.
To receive a Level One NCEA, a total of 80 credits must be gained, of which at least 10 must be related to literacy skills, and 10 to basic numeracy skills. Likewise, to receive a Level Two or Three NCEA, 80 credits must be gained of which a minimum of 60 credits must be at the appropriate level. If 50 credits are gained at Merit level the certificate is ‘endorsed with Merit’, if 50 credits are gained with Excellence, it is ‘endorsed with Excellence’. Students with Excellence endorsed NCEAs receive Academic Colours and are awarded membership of the Scholars’ Society.
