A traditional school with a contemporary heart

Curriculum

Southland Boys’ High School has a firm focus on its core business – education. Underpinned by the New Zealand Curriculum, we share a vision to grow lifelong learners, who are reflective, develop the skills to be adaptable and have a strong sense of self-belief.

Year 7 and 8

Year 7 and 8 students are placed in mixed ability classes, with teachers who have strengths in the teaching of reading, spoken language, writing and numeracy, and who can use information technology to enhance learning. 

Our key focus is numeracy and literacy. Our homeroom teachers have undergone extensive professional learning in structured literacy and numeracy, and these approaches are embedded in every homeroom class. We strongly believe that these skills will prepare students to adequately access the curriculum in their senior NCEA studies.

Year 9 and 10

The curriculum for Years 9 and 10 is carefully tailored to each boy’s ability, offering more choice and flexibility to create engaging learning pathways. Our approach ensures that students see themselves at the centre of their own learning journey. In these years, our dedicated teachers work collaboratively to support each individual student. This personalised attention allows us to cater to diverse learning needs and interests, making education more relevant and engaging.

Learning remains contextual, with a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy. By focusing on these foundational skills, we prepare students not only for their immediate academic challenges but also for their future success. Our goal is to help each student excel by providing a supportive and dynamic learning environment that reflects their unique abilities and interests.

Year 11, 12 and 13

The senior years represent the culmination of their secondary school experience, where they can pool the knowledge and talents they have crafted with us and use it to find meaningful direction for their lives after graduation.  

Southland Boys’ High School has a fine history of achievement in Level 1, 2 and 3 NCEA, and when it is your turn, we will ensure that you are given the best opportunity to succeed.

NCEA

NCEA is the national certificate of educational achievement. There are three levels to NCEA each with different requirements to achieve the level.

NCEA is a standards based qualification, this means that there are set Standards which students can achieve. A Standard can be internally assessed (done in school time) or externally assessed (done in an end of year exam. Internals can be tests, research assignments or practical assessments. Each Standard is worth a set amount of credits and these credits are used to award NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3. For each Standard, a student can gain an Achieved (A), Achieved with Merit (M) or an Achieved with Excellence (E). These are used to show the depth with which a student has completed the Standard.

Level 1 is generally completed in Year 11. To achieve level 1 NCEA, a student needs to attain 80 credits at Level 1 or above, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits.

Level 2 is generally completed in Year 12. To achieve Level 2 NCEA, a student needs to attain 60 credits at Level 2 or above and 20 credits at any higher level. The student also has to meet the Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements (10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits).

Level 3 is generally completed in Year 13. To achieve Level 3 NCEA, a student needs to attain 60 credits at Level 3 or above and 20 credits from Level 2 or above. The student also has to meet the Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements (10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits).

For some students, Level 1 is a one and a half to two year course, completed in Year 11 and the first part of Year 12. Similarly, Level 2 will be completed over the course of the second half of Year 12 and Year 13. The school will advise students/parents if this is the best option for them.  Some students may be offered the opportunity to sit some Level 1 Standards in Year 10.  The school will advise students/parents of this option.

The Ministry of Education’s target is that 80% of 18 year old students will have achieved Level 2. Therefore it is an expectation that all students will complete Level 2 before leaving Southland Boys’ High School or will transition to a provider that will enable them to complete it.