Contents
Introduction...... 2
National Certificate of Educational Achievement...... 3
Certificate Endorsement
Course Endorsement
University Entrance
University Scholarship
RNLS Policy and Procedure Booklet
Choosing Courses...... 5
NetNZ and TeKuraCourses...... 6
Your Career and Subject Choice...... 7
Subject Choice Guide for Tertiary Study and Employment ...... 8
Year 9 – 13 Courses Overview ...... 14
Course Information – Who to See ...... 15
Course Description – The Arts Department ...... 16
Drama
Music
Photography
Visual Art
Course Description – Christian Living Department ...... 19
Course Description – English Department ...... 20
Course Description – Health Department ...... 21
Course Description – Languages Department ...... 22
Course Descriptions – Mathematics Department ...... 23
Course Descriptions – Physical Education Department ...... 25
Course Descriptions – Science Department ...... 26
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Course Descriptions – Social Science Department ...... 28
Commerce
Social Science
History
Course Descriptions – Technology Department ...... 29
Design for Visual Communication
Digital Technologies
Hard Materials Technology
Home Economics
Soft Material Technology
Course Selection Form ...... 33
Introduction
This booklet has been compiled to provide an overview of the courses offered to students in our SeniorSecondary School.
The subjects offered are constantly reviewed and a wide range of opportunities are available to meet student needs and to provide pathways for success in the National Certificate of Educational Achievements (NCEA) Levels One, Two and Three and Scholarship.
Specifically designed STAR, Gateway and Canterbury Tertiary College Courses are available to students to develop vocational interests. These courses may involve students in a variety of practical experiences. Some students have been on block courses run by providers such as Christchurch Polytechnic and others have been onsite at business premises, one or two days a week.
The school has over twenty secondary staff members working with senior school courses. Each person is well qualified in several subjects including specialized fields. As a ChristianSchool we ensure that committed Christian teachers teach the curriculum. All staff receive ongoing professional development in their subject areas and in Christian worldview perspectives. Staff endeavour to develop relevant, quality courses and work together to encourage and train our students to further develop their character and academic capability.
Our desire is to fulfill the school’s special character statement so that our students may find lifelong fulfillment in making the unique and positive contribution to society for which they were created.
NCEANational Certificate of Educational Achievement
NCEA is the award that all Year 11 – 13 students will be working towards. Each subject selected is assessed through a variety of either Unit Standards or Achievement Standards. Students can either achieve or not achieve in a Unit Standard. For an Achievement Standard a student can not achieve, achieve, achieve with merit or achieve with excellence.
Each Unit Standard and Achievement Standard is worth a number of credits and students who are successful in achieving the particular standard are awarded this number of credits. Over the year, students accumulate credits at either the achieved, merit or excellence level.
Level 1.
Students start working towards NCEA level 1 in Year 11. To be awarded level 1 a student needs to gain a minimum of 80 credits. These 80 credits must contain 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits.
Level 2
To qualify for NCEA Level 2, students need to gain 80 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must come from Level 2 studies and the balance may come from Level 1 studies or any higher level.
Level 3
To qualify for NCEA Level 3, students need to gain 80 credits, 60 of which must come from level 3.
Certificate Endorsement
A student will be awarded an NCEA Certificate of Endorsement if they meet the following criteria;
- Endorsement with Merit – A student requires 50 credits at merit or excellence at the level of the certificate or above.
- Endorsement with Excellence - A student requires 50 credits at excellence at the level of the certificate or above.
Course Endorsement
A student can be awarded a Course Endorsement in Excellence if they gain 14 or more credits at Excellence level, while students gaining 14 or more credits at Merit (or Merit and Excellence) will gain a Merit endorsement.
For Course Endorsement, at least 3 of the 14 credits must be from internally assessed standards, and 3 from external assessment (national examinations), to demonstrate students are competent in both forms of assessment.
University Entrance
The following is the requirement a student must meet in order to be qualified for entrance to a New Zealand University.
Students should note though, that many Universities require a higher level of attainment than that indicated here. It is therefore essential that all students who are considering continuing their studies at University talk to the Careers Staff or contact the University directly.
- NCEA Level 3
- Three subjects - at Level 3 or above, made up of:
-14 credits each, in three approved subjects
- Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
-5 credits in reading
-5 credits in writing
- Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above
For a list of the approved subjects visit the web site
University Scholarship
Scholarship provides recognition and monetary reward to top students in their last year of schooling. Scholarship exams enable candidates to be assessed against challenging standards, and are demanding for the most able candidates in each subject.
Scholarship candidates are expected to demonstrate high-level critical thinking, abstraction and generalisation, and to integrate, synthesise and apply knowledge, skills, understanding and ideas to complex situations.
The content for a scholarship is from Level 8 of the curriculum or from Level 3 Achievement Standards, providing a broader, more substantial challenge.
Scholarships are assessed through an end of year examination or from submission of student work for external assessment.
Achievement in one NZ Scholarship standard is equivalent to 24 NQF credits at level 4 for NCEA level 3 credit inclusions.
Refer to the website for further rules and procedures – including monetary rewards.
RNLS Policy and Procedure Booklet on NCEA
Each student will receive a booklet that details the policies and procedures that will be implemented at RNLS for all NCEA courses of study. These booklets are given out at the beginning of each year.
It is important that the policies and procedures are understood and followed completely where applicable. It is intended to ensure that all students have equal opportunities in gaining qualifications.
Parents and students are welcome to seek clarification on any issues by contacting the school and asking for the NZQA Principal’s Nominee, Mr Masterton.
Choosing Courses
“Always remember what you have learned. Education is your life – guard it well.”
Proverbs 4:13
Education at RNLS is considered to be part of the process by which you identify your gifts, abilities and talents and begin to train and develop them in the wide variety of learning environments and opportunities, both in and out of the classroom that you experience at RNLS. The process also involves developing your character. Those qualities, which make you the person with a heart of wisdom who will live in relationship with others in the community.
It is important to choose courses that will give you a satisfying and successful year.
Some key thoughts to consider for yourself as you choose your courses may be:
What do I enjoy doing? (My interests)
What am I good at? (My abilities)
What do I have to do? (Core subjects plus subjects that Ican relate to)
What goals do I have? (My passions)
When I pray about my choices, what thoughts / ideas do I have?
In senior courses it is not just the content that matters, but also the development of thinking skills. Senior courses train you to think, to plan and to organize.
Helpful Information
Mathematics should not be discarded lightly. It is a pre-requisite for many University and Polytechnic courses and necessary for courses such as:
AccountingMedicine
Physical EducationHealth & Physical Science
PsychologySciences
All advanced scientific and technical occupations require mathematics to at least NCEA Level 2.
Physics, Chemistry and Biology are necessary for many science based courses and are difficult to pick up at tertiary levels without a school background.
Attaining high standards of English and communication skills is essential for some career areas and useful for all.
English is not compulsory at Year 13, but it, or another English Rich course is recommended to give balance to your other courses.
Students are urged to research their vocational and career paths, and to make informed decisions. Often it is not an easy process. Students should take time to …
Research
Communicate with organizations
Visit tertiary institutions
Make appointments to discuss jobs with people in the work place
Set up work experience or courses to confirm or delete an option
NetNZ, TeKura
Online learning/ Video Conference
Rangiora New Life School is part of NetNZ who specialize in the provision of high quality online programmes of learning for secondary aged students throughout New Zealand. This allows our students to enroll in online courses and be supported by their eTeachers using the school’s video conference equipment. Students might choose an online subject if they want to take subject that is not offered at RNLS or they have a subject clash in the timetable. Each year 10 to 15 RNLS students successfully complete a course through NetNZ.
Learning online requires students to be motivated, independent and organised. They have to be able to manage an online learning environment, including a range of online tools, and learn to communicate with their eTeachers and classmates by email, texting, Google community, Skype and Google hangouts.
NetNZ offers 45 courses online. To find out about the courses that are available through NetNZ you can go to the NetNZ website ( look under “Courses” or come and talk to Mrs Krijgsman in Room 9. There are other levels and subjects that aren’t covered here which are available through the Virtual Learning Network ( under “Learning Exchange”.
NetNZ courses may require the purchase of workbooks, these can cost from $20 to $60.
There are limited space available for online learning through NetNZ. For more information or to register your interest in learning this way please contact the eDean, Mrs Krijgsman ().
TeKura (The Correspondence School)
TeKura provides distance education for early childhood, primary and secondary levels to over 20,000 students from across New Zealand and around the world. They cater for full-time students, dual enrolled students, adults and those with special education needs. This is another learning provider that can be accessed for students who might have a subject clash in their timetable or who want to take a subject that is not offered at RNLS.
Students who enrol for a TeKura subject need to be motivated, independent and organised. They have to be able to confidently access TeKura’s online learning site and to regularly contact their TeKura teacher via email or phone. They will also have the support of the eDean and a subject specific support teacher at RNLS to monitor their progress and provide assistance in their learning.
For a full list of subjects offered, students should visit the web site For more information or to register your interest in learning this way please contact the eDean, Mrs Krijgsman ().
Your Career and Subject Choice
In choosing a Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 course you are partly bound by what you have taken in the previous year. Beyond that you should make sure that your choice of subjects allows for future flexibility and is relevant to your possible career needs. It is wise for students to think in terms of several possible career areas.
Here are a few simple principles by which you can avoid career limitation.
1If you are to be in Year 11, plan both your Year 12 and Year 13 courses as well, with a view to future career choice. Entry into some Level 2 or 3 courses is depends upon you having gained sufficient credits in the corresponding course at earlier levels.
2If you are to be in Year 12, plan your Year 13 course as well so that your choice of Year 12 subjects leads to an effective Year 13 course with a view to future career choice, and keeping the requirements for University Entrance in mind.
3If you are to be in Year 13, check carefully the Subjects List and match subjects with the requirements of University Entrance and your future desired qualifications and career.
4You should first decide if you are at all likely to consider a scientific or engineering career. If so, at Year 12 you should consider taking English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. The fifth subject could be chosen according to your interests. There are very few science careers that require Physics without Chemistry, or Biology without Chemistry.
5Scientific, commerce and technical occupations require Mathematics to Level 2 at least.
6If you are not interested in a scientific or technical occupation, the choice of subjects is less critical. However, the inclusion of Mathematics increases the range of occupations that may be possible for you, and you should note that sciences will be required for many occupations that in the first instance appear not to require science, for example, law (patents), primary teaching, hair and beauty careers.
7English and other English rich subjects such as History at Level 3 are of considerable benefit for university study as assessment is often through essays and written assignment work.
If you want further direction, see your Deans, the Head of Department, Mr Lamb or visit the website
SUBJECT CHOICE GUIDE FOR TERTIARY STUDY AND EMPLOYMENT
The subjects and qualification levels which best suit particular types of training and/or careers do change from time to time. Once you have read the information contained in this section, it is vital that you check with tertiary institution course booklets/websites and appropriate organisations for any recently updated details (including achievement/unit standard requirements).
Training / Career / Relevant Subjects
Accountancy Degree
A broad range of subjects is recommended. Accounting and Economics, Mathematics with Calculus and/or Statistics and Modelling and English (or other Humanities subject) are recommended. Computer skills are valuable.
Agriculture and Agricultural Science Degrees
(LincolnUniversity) A background in subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics with Statistics and Modelling, Economics, Horticulture and Geography is useful. Level 3 Chemistry is recommended for Agricultural Science.
Applied Computing Degree
(LincolnUniversity) A quality general education at Level 3 in subjects such as Computing, Mathematics, Economics, Accounting, Science and English.
Applied Science Degree
(University of Otago) There are 10 subject areas available. Mathematics with Calculus is recommended for most options, as are Chemistry and Biology for Molecular Biotechnology. Depending on the subject area chosen, other recommendations include Physics, Mathematics with Statistics and Modelling, Computing, Geography and Art.
Apprenticeships, Trades
Many trades require completion of pre-trade courses at a Polytechnic, with a minimum of Level 1 English and Mathematics required for some of these courses. English, Mathematics and sometimes Science are usually recommended, as well as subjects related to the trade, (eg. Design Technology for the engineering, metal and wood based trades and Electronics for Automotive Engineering).
Architecture
For Auckland University Specific subject requirements include 16 credits in Level 3 English (or another approved Humanities subject – check with Auckland University), plus 16 credits in either Level 3 Mathematics with Statistics and Modelling, Mathematics with Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics or Accounting. A portfolio of architectural drawings, prescribed by the ArchitecturalSchool, is also required. Level 3 Art is advantageous and Mathematics is highly recommended for some core courses. A broad-based programme rather than focusing on either Arts or Sciences is recommended, including subjects such as Mathematics, Computing, Design and Visual Communications and Humanities.
For VictoriaUniversity
Physics and/or Mathematics with Calculus are strongly recommended. If you have the required level of achievement in these subjects at Level 3, you will not need to include a course in either Mathematics or Physics in your first year. You should check with VictoriaUniversity for specific details. English, Technology and a subject in creative areas such as Art, Design and Visual Communications are useful.
Architectural Studies Degree
(Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology) 42 credits at Level 3, with 14 credits in a Design or Art based subject, 14 credits in English (or English-rich subjects such as Classics, Art History, History) and an additional 14 credits from no more than two domains. Also required is a portfolio prescribed by the School of Architectural Studies and an interview. Note: A National Diploma in Architectural Technology, with Level 2 pre-requisites, is also offered. Check with Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology for details.
Arts Degree
It is recommended that, where possible, you take the subjects at school that you intend to study at university.
Aviation (Pilot)
MasseyUniversityLevel 3 Mathematics with Calculus and Physics are strongly recommended. English at Level 3 is also recommended as a high standard of written and spoken English is essential. Entry is by selection.
InternationalAviationAcademy (ChristchurchAirport) Mathematics, Physics and English to Level 2 are recommended.
Broadcasting Communications
Degree (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology)
Options: Digital Film and Television Production; Broadcast Journalism; Radio Broadcasting Level 3 requirements are as follows: 14 credits in each of two subjects from the Approved List, one of which must be an English-rich subject (eg Media Studies, English, History, Art History, Classics, Geography, Economics). Another 14 credits at Level 3 are required from no more than two additional subjects/domains. Additionally 14 credits at Level 1 in Mathematics are needed. Also required is demonstrated skill potential plus broadcast, journalism or performance experience. Check with Polytechnic for further details.