Wanganui Girls’ College
NCEA Level 1
Subject Choice booklet
2016
Please read through the following subject information for Level 1 as you make your decisions for study in 2016.
It is compulsory to take English or Te Reo Māori and Mathematics. The decision as to whether you will be doing English or English Certificate will be made by the Acting Head of Department, Mrs Cox. The decision as to whether you will be doing Mathematics or Mathematics Numeracy will be made by the Head of Department, Mrs Sandra Friedel.
It is strongly recommended that you will choose a Science in your Level 1 programme and a valid reason will be required if a science is not taken.
By completing your subject choice form this is an INDICATION of the subjects you would like to take not a guarantee that you will be able to take them. It will be dependent on the final timetable which will be confirmed at your appointment on Monday 7th December with your Dean. Subject numbers also determine if a subject is viable to run.
It is very important that you consider a number of factors when deciding what subjects you wish to take such as:
· What are your areas of interest when you leave school?
· What subjects will provide you with the correct entry into Level 2 subjects?
· Is your selection broad enough this year so you can become more specialised next year?
Talk with your parents, your ASTRA teacher and your Dean if you need help to decide and make the subject choices that are right for YOU!
Overview of the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) and University Entrance (UE)
To gain NCEA Level 1
· All Year 11 students work towards this qualification.
· All Year 11 students are expected to take six subjects which must include English or Te Reo Māori, Mathematics and preferably a Science subject.
· Students need to gain a total of 80 credits
· At least 10 credits in literacy and at least 10 credits in numeracy must be gained from standards across a range of subjects.
To gain NCEA Level 2
· All Year 12 students are expected to take six subjects which must include English or Te Reo Māori and should include a Mathematics option.
· Students need to gain a total of 80 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must be at level 2 and the other 20 credits at any level.
· At least 10 credits in literacy and at least 10 credits at Level 1 in numeracy must be gained from standards across a range of subjects
To gain NCEA Level 3
· All Year 13 students are expected to take six subjects. It is recommended that either English or Te Reo Māori should be included
· Students need to gain a total of 80 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must be at level 3 and the other 20 credits at level 2 or above.
To gain University Entrance (UE)
· Achievement of NCEA Level 3
· 14 credits in each of three subjects from the list of approved subjects
· The remaining credits to achieve NCEA Level 3 may come from either achievement or unit standards
· UE numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or higher from specified achievement standards or three specific numeracy unit standards
· UE literacy – 10 credits (five in reading and five in writing) from:
§ Specific Level 2 and higher achievement standards, or
§ Specific Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Rangatira Level 2 standards, or
§ Two specific Level 4 English for academic purposes unit standards
English
It is compulsory to study English and you will be placed in either English Level 1 or English Certificate Level 1 as decided by the Acting Head of Department, Mrs Cox.
The study of English increases students’ abilities to understand English language and to use it effectively. Confident users of English will be effective readers and communicators. Skill and knowledge development in English is focused initially on learning to read and write correctly and appropriately. This leads to thinking critically, processing information and exploring language through a wide range of relevant texts.
English Level 1 (11ENG)
/This course is suitable for endorsement
Course Description: / This course covers a wide variety of topics including various types of text (novel, short story, poetry, drama, film and TV). The skill of writing in various styles is developed further, as are general reading skills. Practical components include speaking assignments and the creation of static images. Essay report writing is a significant part of the course.Course Prerequisite: / Success in Year 10 English
Assessment: / Successful completion of all standards associated with this course will contribute up to 24 credits towards NCEA Level 1. The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / NCEA Level 2 English. All vocational pathways
Possible Careers: / Advertising, teaching, journalism, librarian, lawyer
Costs: / No subject related costs
Further Information: / Mrs Cox
English Certificate Level 1 (11ENC)
/This course may not be suitable for endorsement
Course Description: / The units in this course focus on the development of communication, reading and writing at Level 1.Course Prerequisite: / Entry to this course is by selection made by the Head of Department and Learning Centre staff in consultation with management, students and caregivers.
Assessment / The Certificate course provides an opportunity for students to consolidate their reading and writing skills and to achieve NCEA literacy standards necessary for the award of Level 1 NCEA. The course is internally assessed only.
Pathways: / NCEA Level 2 English or English Certificate. All vocational pathways
Possible Careers: / Advertising, teaching, journalism, administration
Costs: / No subject related costs
Further Information / Mrs Cox
Mathematics
It is compulsory to study mathematics and you will be placed in either Mathematics Level 1 or Mathematics Numeracy Level 1 as decided by the Head of Department.
It is important students retain their numeracy skills as part of being lifelong learners. This will contribute to their social and employment environments. Mathematics is needed for many careers in industry, business, commerce, science and education.
Mathematics Level 1 (11MAT) / This course is suitable for endorsementCourse Description: / This course covers a range of topics including numeric reasoning, algebraic methods, linear algebra, trigonometry, statistics and probability.
Course Prerequisite: / At least 4 achievement grades obtained in the end of year examination in Year 10 mathematics
Assessment: / Successful completion of all standards associated with this course will contribute up to 22 credits towards the NCEA Level 1. The course has both internally and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / Mathematics NCEA Level 2 and 3. All vocational pathways
Possible Careers: / Architect, accountant, teacher, scientist, engineer.
Costs: / Students are expected to provide their own scientific calculator (approximately $20).
Further Information: / Mrs Friedel
Mathematics Numeracy Level 1 (11MTN) / This course is not suitable for endorsement
Course Description: / This course focuses on Levels 5 and 6 of the mathematics curriculum revising the work at Years 9 and 10. Students will study topics in the three numeracy achievement standards on number, measurement and statistical information.
Course Prerequisite: / Entry to this course is by selection made by the Head of Department and Learning Centre staff in consultation with management, students and caregivers.
Assessment: / This course contributes to the 10 credits needed for numeracy at Level 1.
Pathways: / This course does not lead to Mathematics Internal Level 2. All vocational pathways
Possible Careers: / Any career or job requiring an understanding of mathematical ideas.
Costs: / No subject related costs
Further Information: / Mrs Friedel
Science
It is strongly recommended that you will choose a science in your Level 1 programme otherwise a valid reason will be required if you have not selected one.
Science is about investigating, understanding and explaining the natural world. In science subjects, students learn about the natural world and how science can help to explain how it works. The study of science will assist students to make informed decisions about the application and implications of science in everyday life. At Level 1, two courses, Biological Science and Physical Sciences, prepare students for further study in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Levels 2 and 3.
Biological Science Level 1 (11BSC)
/This course is suitable for endorsement
Course Description / How come two blonde parents have a dark haired child? Why pickle onions in vinegar or how come jam is so sweet? Why are most leaves green in colour? What is actually in your blood and how does it help you? What happens to that apple once you swallow it? These and many other questions will be answered. The aim of this course is to provide a good introduction for further study at Level 2 Biology in year 12.Course Prerequisite: / Successful completion of the coursework and achieve at least merit in the end of year examination in Year 10 science
Assessment: / The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways / Level 2 biology. Primary vocational pathway
Possible Careers: / Nursing, veterinary science, veterinary nurse, medicine, physical education, sports science, childcare and teaching
Costs / $20 for a course workbook and $15 in term 3 for a revision book.
Further Information: / Mr Grierson, Ms Gorton or Mrs Musa
Physical Science Level 1 (11PSC) / This course is suitable for endorsement
Course Description / Why is the centre of an ice block the last place to freeze? How does the centre of the earth always remain very hot? How do Quickeze actually reduce indigestion? Why is something that is pleasant to drink like Coke actually bad for you. Why can’t you walk on water and yet mosquitoes are actually good at it? Is toothpaste actually good for your teeth? All will be revealed when you study this course.
This course provides an introduction to Level 2 Chemistry and Physics.
Course Prerequisite: / Successful completion of the coursework and achieve at least merit in the end of year examination in Year 10 science
Assessment: / The course has both internally and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / Level 2 chemistry and/or physics. (Successful completion of this course will be a required prerequisite for Level 2 chemistry and physics.) Primary, construction and infrastructure, manufacturing and technology and the creative vocational pathways
Possible Careers: / Science, medicine, veterinary science, technician, engineer, chemist
Costs / $15 for a revision book in term 3.
Further Information: / Mr Grierson
General Science Level 1 (11GSC)
/This course is not suitable for endorsement
Course Description / The General Science course is for students who are not yet ready for either the Biological Science or Physical Science courses but are still interested in furthering their knowledge of science possibly to Year 12 level. The content covers the following four areas: Making Sense of the Living World; the Physical World; the Material World and of Planet Earth and Beyond.Course Prerequisite: / Completion of Year 10 Science and reach the achieved level in the year 10 science examination or in consultation with the HOD
Assessment: / The course is internally assessed.
Pathways: / Students not gaining the prerequisite for 11 BSC and 11 PSC would be able to progress to these courses in Year 12 upon successful completion of 11GSC. They would then be able to study Year 12 sciences in year 13 if this was necessary for their career paths. All of the vocational pathways.
Possible Careers: / Any science-based career: Hairdressing, food technology, vet nurse
Costs: / $20 for workbooks to be used throughout the year
Further Information: / Mr Grierson
Social Sciences
Social Sciences arise out of Social Studies in the junior school. Social Sciences provide students with an understanding of the society they live in its past, present and future. Students can study Accounting, Geography, History and/or Economics.
Course Description: / Promotes knowledge and understanding of accounting as a financial language for individuals, community organisations and businesses. The course includes the application of financial knowledge and skills to practical situations and assists in the development of skills in communication, numeracy, problem-solving and self-management.
Course Prerequisite: / None, although a reasonable understanding of mathematics and English is an advantage
Assessment: / Successful completion of all standards associated with this course will contribute up to 24 credits towards NCEA Level 1. The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / Level 2 accounting, university and polytechnic courses. Primary, service and creative vocational pathways.
Possible Careers: / Accountancy, business management and/or administration, finance.
Costs: / Approximately $25 for write-on workbooks and stationery.
Further Information: / Mr Mokha.
Economics Level 1 (11ECO)
/ This course is suitable for endorsementCourse Description: / Students learn about the changing nature of the economy. We look at the producer, the consumer and the market and the relationships between these three major components in the economic environment.
Course Prerequisite: / None, although a reasonable understanding of mathematics and English is an advantage
Assessment: / Successful completion of this course will contribute up to 24 credits towards NCEA Level 1. The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / NCEA Level 2 economics. Primary, service, social and community and creative vocational pathways.
Possible Careers / Economist, sharebroker, financier, research analyst, areas of commerce
Costs: / Approximately $25 for write-on workbooks and stationery.
Further Information: / Mr Mokha
Geography Level 1 (11GEO) / This course is suitable for endorsement
Course Description: / A study of common topics - this includes
· Natural hazards - the importance of a hazard such as tsunami or earthquakes on people and landscapes around the world.
· A study of sustainable resource use including a case study of farming in New Zealand.
· A global study of the distribution of wealth in the world or spread of a major disease.
· School selected studies including an individual research assignment.
Course Prerequisite: / None
Assessment: / Successful completion of all standards associated with this course will contribute between 19 to 24 credits towards NCEA Level 1. The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / NCEA Level 2 geography. Primary, construction and infrastructure, service and creative vocational pathways.
Possible Careers: / Planner, demographer, teacher, surveyor, geologist, weather forecaster
Costs: / Mandatory field trips are planned to Taranaki and Napier or Wellington, and will cost approximately $40
Further Information: / Mr O’Hara
History Level 1 (11HIS) / This course is suitable for endorsement
Course Description: / This course is based on a study of three possible topics and associated case studies:
· Maori Protest 1970s and the Springbok Tour 1981
· The White Face Racism – South Africa, USA and New Zealand
· Terrorism – history, ideology, groups ((PLO. IRA, ETA, politics, consequence.
Course Prerequisite: / None. Home internet access highly desirable
Assessment: / Successful completion of all standards associated with this course will contribute up to 24 credits toward NCEA Level One. The course has both internal and externally assessed components.
Pathways: / NCEA Level 2 history. Social and community, service and creative vocational pathways.
Possible Careers: / Any career that requires research, organisation of information and communication (written, visual and verbal) e.g. Law, journalism, researcher, Teacher, P.A, public relations, media, business, museum curator, etc.
Cost: / $2.50 printing/photocopying charge
Further Information: / Mr Davis
Health and Physical Education