Course Selection Information for Students Entering Year 11

You will study a total of six courses.  

Subject Selection 

Year 11 take English, Mathematics and Science and/or Agriculture. Students can select three more subjects.

Course availability is dependent on numbers and staffing, and course entry will be confirmed at the beginning of the school year.

How do I qualify for a subject? 

Students are able to select subjects that best suit their needs. Please refer to the recommended prior learning section for each course. If you do not meet this, you may need to have a conversation with the Head of Department to discuss entry into the course.

What if I don’t know what to choose? 

There are plenty of people who can advise you. Your Whānau Teachers, House Deans, Heads of subject areas, Teachers of subjects, Senior students or members of SLT.

For details on courses at tertiary level (universities and polytechnics), see Ms Tiley (Careers Advisor).

Planning Your Course - Some Suggestions

Click here for a document to assist with your course planning: Y11 Course Planning 2024

As you plan your course, carefully assess your interests, skills and learning style and choose subjects that build on these.

We recommend that you do not ‘specialise’ too early and that you aim to maintain a broad range of subjects for as long as possible.  This will help to prevent you limiting your future study prospects.  Select your courses carefully as it will be more difficult to change them at a later date.

If you have a particular career in mind, you may need to study some specified subjects.  There is a guide to tertiary study requirements and subject choices on this site but do be aware that university courses change frequently, and you need to be proactive in seeking up to date information directly from the university or from the Careers Department at the College.

As you plan your course and choose your subject options think about these things:

• Your interests and abilities.
• Which subjects you enjoy the most.
• The skills you have and would like to develop.
• Your preferred learning style.
• Your possible future career interests.
• Are there subject requirements at the next level?
• Any entry criteria for tertiary education?
• Is the subject on the University Approved list of subjects? (See List of Approved Subjects). 
• Do I have sufficient flexibility to change my course if my career goals change?

If you are unsure of a subject, talk to someone.

• Ask students who are doing the subject this year what it is like.
• Ask the Teacher.
• Ask the Careers Advisor.
• Ask your Dean.
• Ask everybody.
• Ask for help.  It is an important decision.

Be informed.