CHOOSING YOUR COURSES
Senior courses are designed for students from Year 10 to Year 13. The course booklet is available for download here.
Semesters
All courses are offered as semesters. A semester is a half year course.
A semester programme offers you, the student, greater flexibility in designing your course.
Most courses are stand-alone. However, for subjects that you wish to progress in you are advised to study the subject over two semesters.
Semester A runs from Thursday 4 February to Friday 18 June (17 weeks)
Semester B runs from Monday 21 June to Friday 12 November (17 weeks)
The Senior College timetable operates on a 30 period week. Each period is 50 minutes in duration and each course (subject) is timetabled for 4 x 50 minutes/week. The exception to this is Religious Education at Levels 1, 2 and 3 which is timetabled for 3 periods/week.
Students will generally undertake 7 courses per week to cover the 27 periods and there are 3 periods per week for administrative and curriculum support.
Levels
Courses are taught at one of five levels:
Level O – Foundation Courses:
These form the basis for higher learning. They also include courses of general interest available to all students.
Level 1 Courses:
In these courses, the majority of credits in assessment are at the NCEA 1 level.
Level 2 Courses:
In these courses, the majority of credits in assessment are at the NCEA 2 level.
Level 3 Courses:
In these courses, the majority of credits in assessment are at the NCEA 3 level.
Scholarship/Level 4 Courses:
These courses are set up individually for students with interest and ability. Students are generally invited into these courses although the opportunity also exists for students to apply for consideration.