NCEA LEVEL 3 SUBJECT DETAILS

Please note that entry to all courses is at the discretion of the HOD if pre-requisites are not achieved. A course will only run if sufficient students elect to take it.

p ART (PRAC) (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 Art
Course Content:
This course involves the art fields of painting and design. This will be a natural progression from the work carried out in Year 12. Students will be involved in the study of the work of contemporary designers and painters. They will learn how contemporary designers and painters use problem-solving techniques to develop art ideas and also how they use processes and procedures to create their artworks. This knowledge will be applied to their own artworks.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (9 credits) / External (14 credits)

p BIOLOGY (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits in NCEA Level 2 Biology and English
Course Content:
Animal Behaviours; Plant Responses, Animal and Plant Investigations, Genetics and Evolution, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Contemporary Biological Issues.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (8 credits) / External (16 credits)

p CALCULUS (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 18 credits at NCEA Level 2 Mathematics with merit in at least two of 90284 (Algebra), 90285 (Graphs) and 90286 (Calculus)
Course Content:
The course is divided into five standards, of which one is internally assessed and four are externally assessed at the end of the year. The areas of study are Differentiation, Integration and Differential Equations, Complex Numbers, Graphs and Conic Sections, and Trigonometry.
This course is particularly recommended to those who wish to study mathematics at tertiary level.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (4 credits) / External (20 credits)

p CHEMISTRY (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits in NCEA Level 2 Chemistry and Mathematics
Course Content:
Atomic Structures and Bonding, Inorganic Chemistry, Energetics of Chemical and Physical Processes, Chemical Equilibrium, Oxidation - Reduction Reactions, Organic Chemistry.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (6 credits) / External (18 credits)

p CLASSICS (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits in NCEA Level 2 English or History
Course Content:
This is an interdisciplinary subject that includes the skills of English, History and Art History. We study the comic plays of Aristophanes, the history of Alexander the Great, and the art and architecture of the Roman Empire.
The external exam includes paragraph answers for two sections and one essay. Some enjoyable features of the study include students 'walking' the battles of Alexander the Great, films about the Ancient World, and a visit to the Classical Studies Museum at Victoria University.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (6 credits) / External (18 credits); 18 credits in Unit Standards are offered during the year as well.

p COMPUTING (NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 19 credits in Level 2 Computing, including all compulsory Level 2 computing standards
Course Content:
Students will create their own course from a menu of standards and can choose to study advanced desktop publishing, advanced networking, image creation, multimedia presentations, website design, advanced Visual Basic programming, flatfile database creation Etc.
Assessment: 20+ credits towards the National Certificate in Computing Level 3, Unit Standards, Internal Assessment

p ENGLISH (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits in NCEA Level 2 English, including either 90377 (Extended Text) or 90378 (Short Text); or 12 credits in NCEA external examination. (Candidates need to be proficient in the writing standards from Level 2.)
Course Content:
This course continues to build on the Year 12 one. It includes the production of an extended piece of writing, the critical response to a number of literature texts, including Shakespeare, the understanding of unseen passages, and an oral presentation of a literature topic. It is the course that leads to university study.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (8 credits) / External (12 credits)

p GATEWAY
Pre-Requisite: Letter of application and interview. Excellent attendance.
Course Content:
Gateway is a special work based learning programme which enables senior students to participate in structured workplace learning. Your school based studies will link in with your Gateway studies and you will be trained and assessed in the workplace.
Students will ideally be at a workplace for one day per week, and this participation will provide students with the opportunity to gain qualifications in school, and in the workplace.

p GEOGRAPHY (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits at NCEA Level 2 Geography or at the discretion of the HOD
Course Content:
Geographers at this level are interested in planning and decision-making, involving work on topics which reflect issues in New Zealand society. Research is carried out into a topic studied by the whole class; issues and course of action are included in this work.
The natural environment of the Wellington/Hutt Valley areas, with interest in plate tectonics, fault lines, the formation and origins of the Hutt Valley, the areas' climate and the influence of the sea are all studied.
Manufacturing (industry) is the human or cultural process studied. The world's largest industry, the automobile assembly industry is studied - as it was in New Zealand in comparison with Europe.
Geographic skills are important and form half the credits able to be obtained by examination in this subject.
NB: Students will participate in fieldwork and studies that will require them to go on fieldtrips.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (12 credits) / External (12 credits)

p GRAPHICS (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 Graphics
Course Content:
One year modular course that applies design principles, problem solving, modelling and graphics to the areas of environmental design, technological design and media design.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (14 credits) / External (10 credits)

p HISTORY (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 English or History. (No previous history study is necessary to pick up this subject.)
Course Content:
This course covers the history of New Zealand in the 19th Century. It looks first at the early French and English explorers, whalers, traders and their experiences of New Zealand. It then explores race relations between Maori and Pakeha, examining the Musket Wars, the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Waitangi and the New Zealand Wars which raged during the 1860s and 1870s.
The course then explores how the modern state of New Zealand was created through various constitutional changes, economic development and the establishment of a new political system. In this section we also look at some of the major industries that were important to New Zealand. The final part of the year will focus on New Zealand society and how certain attitudes towards men and women were formed from the colonial experience. It will also look at how we became the first country to give women the vote.
The course will hopefully offer several field trips, visiting various research venues and possibly other relevant areas outside of the region.
It is especially suitable for students interested in current events wanting to participate knowledgably and objectively to debates in New Zealand society.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (9 credits) / External (15 credits)

p HOME ECONOMICS (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 16 credits from NCEA Level 2 with 4 credits from Achievement Standard 2.1
Course Content:
This course will cover a range of topics such as food and lifestyles, food for special occasions, altered food needs, and nutritional health issues in New Zealand. Course fee: $30-00
Assessment: Credits gained through unit standards and achievement standards. Internal (13 credits) / External (4 credits)

p MAORI LANGUAGE (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 6 credits from the reading and writing strands and 6 credits from the listening and speaking strands in NCEA Level 2 - minimum.
Course Content:
An advanced language programme with a focus on researching a range of topics and presenting the findings using a range of mediums.
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (12 credits) / External (12 credits)

p MEDIA STUDIES (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-requisite: 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 Media Studies or English.
Course Content:
Students will examine the media industry within New Zealand, study meaning within media texts, look at how a media genre relates to society, and investigate media technology and products. The final two units focus on the planning and production of a filmmaking project.
This course investigates both the theory and practice of film and a high standard of personal responsibility, detailed record keeping and good time management is required.
Assessment: Achievement and Unit Standards - External (8 credits) / Internal (16 credits)

p MUSIC (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: Entry will be at the discretion of the teacher
Course Content:
This course is individually designed to take advantage of the students' strengths. Students can create a Composition portfolio and present a solo performance of approximately 4 – 5 pieces. An extensive Research task allows students to develop their understanding in an area of their specific interest, and aural and harmony skills are further developed. This course is aimed towards those who are at a high standard of performance or composition, and may intend to further their music studies in the future.

pPHYSICAL EDUCATION (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 18 credits at NCEA Level 2 PE or at discretion of HOD
Course Content:
Building on Level 2, students will: Apply their knowledge to planning a personal physical activity programme; perform an activity against national standards, and appraise this performance; they will critically examine physical activity among New Zealanders and gather research on this topic; students will also implement an action plan to raise levels of activity in the school community.
A high level of personal responsibility is needed to succeed in this course, due to the student-centred nature of the study. Those who are successful are well organised, and are able to work consistently throughout the year. Good time management and being able to keep records of personal training are essential. There is a strong emphasis on evaluation of work that is completed in this course.
Assessment: Internal (20 credits)

pPHYSICAL EDUCATION (YEAR 13)
Pre-Requisite: Entry will be at the discretion of HOD
Course Content:
The course will involve a range of practical activities, designed to improve the overall health and wellbeing of students. Students will be expected to fully participate in all practical sessions, as well as apply themselves to any theory components of the course. Similar to Sports Education at year 12, students will demonstrate performance in a chosen physical activity, and may have the opportunity to take part in aquatics based activities, as well as outdoor education activities. Some of these activities will involve full day sessions, and occasional overnight trips
Assessment: Internal (12 credits at Level 2)

p PHYSICS (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 15 credits in NCEA Level 2 Physics and Mathematics
This is a high level course which gives a sound general basis for further study in any science or technical subject.
Course Content:
Mechanics, Waves, Electricity and Electromagnetism, Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Assessment: Achievement Standards - Internal (6 credits) / External (18 credits)

p STATISTICS & MODELING (NCEA LEVEL 3)
Pre-Requisite: 14 credits at NCEA Level 2 Mathematics with at least achievement in 90284 (Algebra), 90287 and 90289 (Probability)
Course Content:
The course is divided into seven standards, of which three are internally assessed and four are externally assessed at the end of the year. The areas of study are Time Series, Confidence Intervals, Probability, Linear Equations, Bi-variate Data, Mathematical Modelling, and Linear Programming.
This course highlights applications of mathematics and requires students to model real life situations.
Assessment: Internal (12 credits) / External (12 credits)

p TOURISM (NATIONAL CERTIFICATE)
Pre-Requisite: NCEA Level 1 English; an interest in tourism and good school attendance
Course Content:
The course has been developed by Travel Careers and Training. It covers a range of unit standards at Levels 2 & 3 to promote an understanding of the world of travel and tourism. Modules studied include knowledge of world geography, communication, performing calculations, customer service and knowledge of New Zealand as a tourist destination.
AFee of $100 is charged, students will receive a $50 refund if the National Certificate is completed.
Assessment: Written assessment to be completed at the end of each unit. 18 credits at Level 3, 25 credits at Level 2
 
 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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