You can email the Director of International Students at international@rangiorahigh.school.nz

New Zealand Education

The New Zealand school year is divided into four terms. Term 1 begins at the end of January and Term 4 finishes mid-December. Most New Zealand schools have a two week break at the end of Terms 1, 2, and 3. A longer 6-week break for summer occurs at the end of Term 4.

Students at Rangiora High School study towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and national Scholarship examinations.

NCEA is New Zealand's main secondary school qualification under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). You can find out more from the NZQA ( New Zealand Qualification Authority ) website here.

Year 9 and Year 10

All students follow a compulsory "core" consisting of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education. There will also be some elective subjects.

Years 11–13

From Year 11, students work toward the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). At this level all students must reach minimum standards in English (or Maori) and Mathematics. The rest of their course is up to the school and the student, but most students will be studying five or six subjects.

In Year 12 (age 16) students study up to six subjects for NCEA Level 2. Most schools will be including a wide range of non-traditional subjects at this level.

Year 13 (age 17) NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand Scholarships (Level 4). Students choose up to five subjects, usually relevant to their intended course of study at a tertiary institution. There are no compulsory subjects. To take languages and sciences at this level, these subjects must first have been studied in Years 11 and 12.

New Zealand's education system is among the best in the world and its NCEA qualifications are recognised by universities worldwide. New Zealand has 8 Universities and 16 Institutes of Technology offering a wide range of degrees, diplomas and certificates.

For more information on the New Zealand Education system and curriculum visit the NZQA website. https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/

For Further Information

Study in New Zealand

A Guide to NCEA