Academics
Academics require a future focused and evolving curriculum, one that emphasises global competencies, digital literacy, solutions focus, critical thinking and rigour.
At Whanganui Collegiate School, staff are driven to develop a world-class education from an inspiring, rigorous, intellectually, and inter-culturally rich curriculum. We develop this through quality teaching, specific to positive learning outcomes. In achieving and striving for personal best, we need data and evidence-based research to develop a mapped curriculum that is informed, accessible and focuses on personalised learning, taking into consideration the learning diversity of our students. We want to inspire independence of thought and develop the intellectual tenacity to challenge student’s own thinking. To that end, at Whanganui Collegiate School, we focus on:
Year 9 – Transition and foundation
Year 10 – Resilience, citizenship and skills process
Year 11 – Rigour
Year 12 – Consolidation
Year 13 – Depth
We help students to take ownership of their learning and create a pathway that is relevant to them and what they want to do in life. We use both the Cambridge IGCSE and NCEA curriculums to create these pathways. This empowers students to make the best choices for their chosen career.
We set our own agenda in developing learning and teaching programmes that are informed by action research and data analytics alongside assessment and reporting developed by our staff. This provides the best approach in meeting the diverse needs of our students and ensuring that learning is relevant for all and something that our students richly deserve.
Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
From 2024, IGCSE will be taught to all Year 11 students. Students will be offered a selection of courses from over 70 subjects, and these can be seen on our Academic Pathways page. We are excited to be approved to offer a prestigious and world recognised international qualification to our students.
Today, it’s the world’s most popular international qualification for 14- to 16-year-olds. Not only is it truly international - but it also gives students more options than any other international qualification. That means more subjects to choose from, more ways to learn and more ways to succeed.
The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum offers a variety of routes for learners with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is not English. The syllabuses are international in outlook but retain a local relevance.
For schools, Cambridge IGCSE offers a flexible and stimulating curriculum, supported with excellent resources and training.
For learners, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
NCEA Curriculum - Revised Curriculum from 2024
In 2024, NCEA at Whanganui Collegiate School will be taught at Years 12 and 13 where we offer a full complement of subjects as seen on our Academic Pathways page. There will be a very limited number of subjects being offered at Level 1 - such as Te Reo Maori.
From Year 10, students will also sit the Literacy & Numeracy Co-requisite Standards which provides them with up to 20 credits towards NCEA. This will be the only way that students can gain these co-requisites for Literacy and Numeracy.
Importantly, from 2024, Whanganui Collegiate School will not be offering Level 1 NCEA.
Schoolbox
Whanganui Collegiate School uses Schoolbox as our learning management system. Schoolbox is our way to connect our students, teachers and parents in one central place. Students know what work is due, where they need to be and important notices within their sport or cultural activities. Parents can log in to see their child's progress, sporting and cultural events and House news.
For more information on the way Whanganui Collegiate School has integrated Schoolbox check out the video of the WCS Schoolbox Case Study.
