Curriculum User Guide 2026

Curriculum User Guide Secondary School Course Selection for 2026

Contents Course Selection Process Timeline ......................................................................... 1 Online Curriculum Options ...................................................................................... 1 Guide to Online Curriculum Options ........................................................................ 2 Selecting Your 2026 Curriculum Options ................................................................. 4 Years 9 and 10 Subjects Overview ............................................................................ 5 NCEA – The National Certificate of Educational Achievement ............................... 6 St Andrew’s College Careers Education .................................................................. 6 Year 11 Subjects Overview ....................................................................................... 7 Year 12 Subjects Overview ...................................................................................... 8 Year 13 Subjects Overview ...................................................................................... 9

Introduction At St Andrew’s College we have a flexible curriculum, and we try to cater for all course combinations so that students can be confident that they can study the type of course they wish, year by year. Your choice of course will largely dictate our options structure, and so you are asked to consider carefully and select from the courses open to you.

This Curriculum User Guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the information provided at the student information sessions, the Course Selection Expo, and in the online curriculum offering (the ‘Curriculum Book’), to help you plan your courses for next year.

We recommend that students follow a broad course of study for as long as they can during their time at St Andrew’s – there is always the opportunity to try something new along the way. Of course, as you move through the College, you will also need to consider the different requirements for future study and career pathways. This applies particularly when studying in Years 12 and 13, and afterwards if tertiary level study is an option.

If you require further advice as you work through the selection process, please do not hesitate to contact your tutor, Dean or relevant subject teacher who will be able to assist you.

David Bevin HEAD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING (SECONDARY)

Course Selection Process Timeline The 2026 Secondary School Curriculum and Course Selection process takes place throughout August.

Parents/caregivers and students will receive all the information they require to plan course selections for next year, but we also encourage you to think about courses that you might do beyond next year.

Term 3 Weeks 1–3

Course Selection seminars for current students about NCEA subjects for 2026, with Head of Teaching and Learning, David Bevin, Careers Counsellor, Richard Webster, and Heads of Departments.

Tuesday 29 July

Link to online Curriculum Book emailed to parents, students, and staff.

Expression of Interest forms for Athlete Sports Development/Performance, and Ballet and Dance Studies open.

Tuesday 5 August

Expression of Interest forms for Athlete Sports Development/Performance, and Ballet and Dance Studies close at 4.00pm.

Friday 8 August

Course Selection Expo for parents/caregivers and students in Years 10–12, 3.45pm–5.00pm, Gym 1.

Tuesday 12 August

Option Selections will open during the afternoon on Tuesday 12 August. Current students in Years 9–12 will be emailed personalised links to make their 2026 Curriculum Option selections, as well as Sports and Cultural Option selections.

Parents/caregivers of students new to the Secondary School in 2026 will be emailed personalised links to make Option selections for their child (this includes parents/caregivers of students who are currently in Year 8 in the St Andrew’s College Preparatory School).

Online Curriculum Options Choosing subjects for the following year is an important process because of the implications for future subject choices and possible careers. It is vital that parents/ caregivers and students are well informed about subject choices, qualifications, and careers.

The Curriculum and Course Selection is accessible to everyone in an easy to digest format in the online ‘Curriculum Book’, and clearly viewable on any device.

2026 CURRICULUM OPTIONS stac.nz/Curriculum

The Curriculum and NCEA In addition to the Curriculum Selecting your Options Core and Option subjects by year level

Wednesday 20 August

Online 2026 Curriculum Option selections, and Sports and Cultural Option selections close at 5.00pm.

Term 4 (Late November)

The College emails all parents/caregivers with their child’s confirmed course of study for 2026.

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Guide to Online Curriculum Options All Curriculum information for 2026 can be viewed online at stac.nz/Curriculum.

For parents/caregivers and students to make an informed choice about subject selections, this online information should be used alongside discussions with teachers, Heads of Departments, tutors, Deans, and our Careers Counsellor, Mr Webster, as well as attending the Years 10–12 Course Selection Expo on Friday 8 August.

Please take time to carefully read all of the online information.

There is an overview of the Secondary School Curriculum at the top of the page.

These pages contain further information: • The Curriculum and NCEA – the New Zealand Curriculum, our Middle School and Senior College Curriculums, NCEA, careers education, University Entrance requirements and New Zealand Scholarship; •

In Addition to the Curriculum – Outdoor Education, Supporting Curriculum, Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE), our Ballet Company, Speech and Drama, and Instrumental and Vocal Tuition opportunities;

• Selecting Your Options – how to make online option selections and guidelines for option changes.

At the base of the page, you can access the year level Core and Option subjects pages, which list all subjects at each year level.

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At the top of each year level Core and Option subject page, there is an overview of the course requirements at that year level.

Using the tabs above the subjects, you can filter to only see Core Subjects, Option Subjects, and By Application Subjects (Years 9–10) or Subjects where Students are Selected/By Application (Years 11–13).

Note: By Application Subjects and Subjects where Students are Selected/By Application appear under both their own tab, and the Option Subjects tab.

You can print a copy of your Favourite subjects.

By Application Subjects are indicated by the letter ‘A’ and a teal green band.

Side navigation (base of page on mobile devices)

allows navigation between information pages and year level subject pages.

To view subjects by individual study-area, use the Categories dropdown filter.

Each subject has title, course code, and lessons per week listed.

NCEA subjects in Years 11–13 show the number of internal standards, external standards, and the credits.

For each subject, you can expand and read the description by clicking on the arrow.

Core Subjects are indicated by the letter ‘C’ and a dark blue band.

Option Subjects are indicated by the letter ‘O’ and a light blue band.

Within the subject description, you can easily navigate between subject pathways by using the buttons at the bottom.

Subjects can be marked as Favourite by clicking on the heart icon.

Only the subjects available at the selected year level are listed.

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Selecting Your 2026 Curriculum Options Subjects which are ‘By Application’

Complete an Expression of Interest form by Tuesday 5 August, 4.00pm If you wish to select one of the subjects below, you will need to complete the relevant Expression of Interest form. You will also then need to choose the relevant subject when you make your 2026 online Option selections:

• Athlete Sports Development (Years 9–10) or Athlete Sports Performance (Years 11–13);

• Ballet and Dance Studies (Years 9–11).

The Expression of Interest form links will be sent via email on Tuesday 29 July. The form will close and access will be removed at 4.00pm on Tuesday 5 August. Applications will be reviewed before Option selections open on Tuesday 12 August.

Please note, you do not need to complete an Expression of Interest form for other courses that are By Application or Selection.

Option selections will close, and access to the online form will be removed at 5.00pm on Wednesday 20 August.

Option selections must be submitted by the time and date above. Failure to do so will mean that students are less likely to be able to take their preferred combination of subjects.

Option Changes The same link in the Option selections email can be used to revisit and review selections made at any time prior to the deadline. Only the Options selected as at 5.00pm on Wednesday 20 August will be considered final and processed.

Subject Entry Requirements Please carefully read the Entry Requirements for Years 11–13 subjects. If there is a clash of Option choices, which can only be resolved by a change to a course, the Timetable team will notify the student, asking them to choose an alternative course. Deans will assist the student in making an alternative selection.

Option selections will be open online from the afternoon of Tuesday 12 August.

Current Students of St Andrew’s College (Years 9–12) Once open, students must check their College email for personalised links to make their online Option selections.

Students New to the Secondary School in 2026 (including current Year 8 students at the Preparatory School)

Once open, parents/caregivers will receive an email with personalised links to make their child’s online Option selections.

For further details visit: stac.nz/SelectingOptions 4

Years 9 and 10 Subjects Overview YEAR 9

YEAR 10

COMPULSORY CORE SUBJECTS

COMPULSORY CORE SUBJECTS

Digital Literacy

English

English

Mathematics

Mathematics

Physical Education

Music (Core)

Religious Education

Physical Education and Health

Science

Religious Education

Social Studies

Science

Te Waka

Social Studies Te Ao Māori (The Māori World)

SELECTING YOUR OPTIONS FOR YEAR 9

SELECTING YOUR OPTIONS FOR YEAR 10

Select six subjects, with two of them being back-up subjects, each being three lessons per week.

Select six subjects, with two of them being back-up subjects, each being three lessons per week.

Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE)

Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE)

Agriscience

Agriscience

Art

Art

Design and Visual Communication

Classical Studies and History

Digital Technology

Design and Visual Communication

Drama

Digital Technology

Economic Studies

Drama

Fabric Technology

Economic Studies

Food and Nutrition

Fabric Technology

French

Food and Nutrition

Geography

French *

History

Geography

Literacy

Literacy

Materials Technology

Materials Technology

Media

Media

Music

Music

Spanish

Spanish *

Te Reo Māori (Māori Language)

Te Reo Māori (Māori Language) **

BY APPLICATION/SELECTION

BY APPLICATION/SELECTION

Athlete Sports Development

Athlete Sports Development

Ballet and Dance Studies *

Ballet and Dance Studies *

ESOL

ESOL

* Full year, double semester, counts as two options. ** Students can choose to do one semester (counts as one option) or a full year, double semester (counts as two options).

For further information on each subject, visit stac.nz/Curriculum 5

NCEA – The National Certificate of Educational Achievement The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand’s main qualification for senior secondary students, and forms part of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. For further information, please visit nzqa.govt.nz.

For further information on the Curriculum and NCEA, visit stac.nz/CurriculumNCEA.

St Andrew’s College Careers Education The main emphasis in career guidance is on helping individuals to make their own career decisions based on a true understanding of their abilities, skills, interests, work values and personality, and on the options open to them.

Today, people more frequently face ongoing, successive work and study transitions, and career changes and developments. Therefore, such an approach also aims to equip them with the skills to make career-planning decisions in the future. Career guidance is not simply based on the concept of matching people and jobs.

For further information on Careers Education and how parents/caregivers can help with subject choices, including links to useful resources, visit stac.nz/CareersEducation.

Useful tips on how parents/ caregivers can help, along with links to online resources can be found here.

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Year 11 Subjects Overview YEAR 11 (NCEA LEVEL 1)

SELECTING YOUR OPTIONS FOR YEAR 11

Students study six subjects for NCEA.

Students must select three Option subjects and two back-up Option subjects. (Full year, 4 lessons each. Total of 12 lessons a week).

At Year 11, the compulsory Core subjects are: English, Mathematics, and Science, as well as the Health Education/Physical Education and Study Programme.

Agriscience Art Biology and Chemistry ** Commerce with Accounting Commerce with Economics Design and Visual Communication

COMPULSORY CORE SUBJECTS Health Education/Physical Education Study Programme Select one of each Core subject: English

Digital Technology Drama Fabric Technology Food and Health French Geography

or

English Literature

History Materials Technology

General Mathematics and Statistics * or

Applied Mathematics and Statistics Core Science or **

General Science

* From the students who choose General Mathematics and Statistics, a group will be invited to be part of the Mathematics and Statistics Extension course.

Music Physical Chemistry ** Physical Education (NCEA) Physical Education and Leadership Spanish Te Reo Māori (Māori Language)

BY APPLICATION/SELECTION

Athlete Sports Performance Ballet and Dance Studies ESOL Pathways

** Students in 10N, 10O and 10H can take ‘Double Science’, meaning students must take both Biology and Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. 10N, 10O, and 10H students who choose to do one Science subject must select General Science.

All other Year 10 students select one of General Science or Core Science. If they choose both Biology and Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry, they must have HOD Science approval first.

YEAR 11 NCEA FAQS:

stac.nz/NCEA_Y11

For further information on each subject, visit stac.nz/Curriculum

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Year 12 Subjects Overview YEAR 12 (NCEA LEVEL 2)

SELECTING YOUR OPTIONS FOR YEAR 12

Students study six subjects for NCEA.

Students must select five Option subjects and two back-up Option subjects. (Full year, 4 lessons each week. Total of 20 lessons a week).

At Year 12, English is the only compulsory Core subject, as well as the Religious Education/Physical Education/Study/Life Programme.

Accounting Agribusiness Agriscience Art: Design Art: Painting

COMPULSORY CORE SUBJECTS Religious Education Physical Education Study Life Programme Select one:

Art: Photography Biology Business Management Chemistry Classical Studies Design and Visual Communication Digital Technology

English

Drama

or

English Literature

Economics Fabric Technology Food and Nutrition French Geography History Materials Technology Mathematics Applied Mathematics with Calculus Mathematics and Statistics Media Music Physical Education (NCEA) Physical Education and Recreation (NCEA) Physics Science Spanish Te Reo Māori (Māori Language) Travel and Tourism

BY APPLICATION/SELECTION

Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE) Athlete Sports Performance English Extension ESOL Pathways YEAR 12 NCEA FAQS:

stac.nz/NCEA_Y12

For further information on each subject, visit stac.nz/Curriculum 8

Year 13 Subjects Overview YEAR 13 (NCEA LEVEL 3)

SELECTING YOUR OPTIONS FOR YEAR 13

Students study five subjects for NCEA.

Students must select five Option subjects and two back-up Option subjects. (Full year, 4 lessons each week. Total of 20 lessons a week).

At Year 13, the compulsory Core subjects are: Religious Education/Health Education/ Physical Education/Study/ Te Waka Programme/Senior College Electives Programme.

Accounting Agribusiness Agriscience Art: Design Art: Painting Art: Photography Biology

COMPULSORY CORE SUBJECTS Full year: Focus period A combination of three of the following subjects per Semester: Religious Education Health Education Physical Education Study Te Waka Programme Senior College Electives Programme

Business Management Chemistry Chemistry Extension and Enrichment Classical Studies Design and Visual Communication Digital Technology Drama Economics English English Literature Fabric Technology Food and Nutrition French Geography

NCEA SCHOLARSHIP 2026

Students may choose to sit the Scholarship examination (additional to the NCEA Level 3 examination) in one or more subjects. Course Outlines for all subjects, including Scholarship, will be made available at the beginning of 2026.

History Materials Technology Mathematics General Mathematics with Calculus Mathematics with Calculus Extension Mathematics and Statistics Media Music Physical Education (NCEA) Physical Education and Recreation (NCEA) Physics Physics Extension and Enrichment Science Spanish Te Reo Māori (Māori Language) Travel and Tourism

BY APPLICATION/SELECTION

YEAR 13 NCEA FAQS:

stac.nz/NCEA_Y13

Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE) Athlete Sports Performance Biology Extension and Enrichment

For further information on each subject, visit stac.nz/Curriculum

English Extension ESOL Pathways

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