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LIVE. LEARN. LEAD | QUEEN MARGARET COLLEGE 3 Introduction Welcome to the Queen Margaret College National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Subject Selection Handbook for Years 12 and 13. The purpose of this booklet is to help you make the best subject choices to meet your particular needs and preferred tertiary pathway. You need to study this guide very closely and carefully discuss your options with those people who can assist you to make an informed choice. As well as talking to your parents and friends, help is available from subject teachers, Heads of Department, the Deans, the Future Pathways/Careers Advisor and the Head of Senior School. It is also sensible to check university websites regarding entry requirements for particular courses. Students entering Years 12 and 13 should be making subject choices related to their long term educational goals and (possible) career choices. Information gathering is important at this stage. As well as considering whether to do the IB Diploma or NCEA in Years 12 and 13, students should be aware of their abilities, aptitudes and interests and are encouraged to take into account this information when they select their subjects. Mathematics is necessary in so many careers, that, while it is optional fromYear 12 onwards, it should be included if at all possible. In Year 12, English is compulsory. Students study a total of six subjects unless a different course is negotiated with the Head of Senior School. In Year 13, there are no compulsory subjects. Students generally study five or six subjects in order to maximise their chances of getting the best possible Certificate Endorsements and Course Endorsements. A scholarship programme runs in Year 12 & 13. Scholarship is offered in all Year 13 subjects to all students, whether studying NCEA or IB Diploma. Individual subjects run classes throughout the year, the aim of which is to deepen content knowledge as well as develop critical thinking skills. Scholarship requires students to demonstrate a high level of synthesis, integration and application of ideas and breadth of knowledge and understanding. Students sit a separate scholarship examination, or prepare a folio or report for submission in addition to the work for the achievement standards. Every effort is made to accommodate each student’s subject choices. However, it is not always possible to do this. Where there are clashes in subject choices or the class size is too small, students may be asked to make another choice.