The key philosophies behind Wakatipu High School’s timetable are...
student choice that supports learning, progress and achievement.
The New Zealand Academic Year
- The New Zealand school year runs from January to December and consists of four terms.
- Students have a two-week holiday between each of the first three terms, followed by a six-week holiday at the end of the year.
- Junior students (Years 9 and 10) select 12 classes per year - with six courses running in Semester one (Terms 1 and 2) and six in Semester two (Terms 3 and 4).
- Senior students (Years 11-13) select up to six classes per year - with each course running the whole year.
- Time for each class totals seven and a half hours over a two-week period with three 60 minute and three 90 minute periods over that two week period.
- Ako time is an opportunity for students to meet with their Kaiārahi (learning advisors) for academic guidance and support. Ako time also provides students with some time to work independently.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Wakatipu High School offers the National Certificate of Education Achievement (NCEA).
- Think of NCEA as New Zealand's official high school certificate. It's run by a government organization called NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority).
- NCEA is well-known by employers and universities, both here in New Zealand and in other countries like the United States, Britain, and Australia.
- It includes a special qualification called University Entrance (Level 3), which many universities around the world recognize.
- There are three levels of NCEA, from easier to more challenging, which students usually work through in their last three years of high school (Years 11-13).
- Whether you choose to take the final NCEA exams at the end of the year or not, WHS expects all of our international students to complete all of their regular classwork and school tests.
You can watch an explanatory video of NCEA here.
Academic Subjects
- WHS offers a broad range of subjects with specialist teachers taught in specialist spaces.
- Browse our subjects and find out more about our course options at wakatipu.schoolpoint.co.nz.
- This link will take you to a course options table that shows you what courses are available by class year.
- On this page you can click on course options by year and read more about what to expect in each class.
End of Year Activities in Term 4
WHS runs an end-of-year (EOY) activity program specifically for senior international students (Years 11-13) who aren't sitting NCEA exams. This program takes place in Term 4, after regular classes wrap up in late October or early November, once domestic senior students begin their study leave.
The schedule and dates for the 2025 EOY program will be announced at a later date.
June from Vietnam - reaching for academic excellence
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