NCEA & Results

The New Zealand Education System

New Zealand’s education system is first class and its NCEA qualifications are recognised by universities around the world. Rangi Ruru students are actively sought after by top universities in New Zealand and other countries.

The New Zealand school year is divided into four terms, beginning at the end of January and finishing early/mid December. Rangi Ruru has a three week break at the end of Terms 1 and 2, and a two week break at the end of Term 3.

Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 who wish to gain a national NCEA qualification in that year will need to begin at Rangi Ruru in Term 1 of that year or earlier. Beginning study in New Zealand in Year 9 or Year 10 is highly recommended if students want to achieve well in senior examinations.

* International Students who do not have English as their first language can expect to be one to two years older than New Zealand students.

Rangi Ruru follows the New Zealand Curriculum but because it is an independent school, it is able to adapt programmes to suit student needs.

What we love about NCEA

We are committed to preparing our students for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), a globally recognised qualification. NCEA is a standards-based qualification combining both internal and external assessments. Students have the opportunity of studying for Levels 1-3 of NCEA and University entrance, as well as entering for Scholarship Examinations.

• NCEA provides tremendous flexibility for programme and course design
• NCEA allows key competencies to be developed. Analytical and critical thinking, communication, collaborative participation, and self-management are at the forefront of the learning
• Personalisation of learning is available in both programme design and learning outcomes. We can tailor a programme for an individual and for a cohort Students can strive for Merit and Excellence endorsements that recognise their efforts
• Mix of Internal and External modes of assessment encourage learning to be a habit, not an event.
• The rewards are cumulative – it is not all or nothing on the day
• Facilitating outcomes that suit the individual eg extending students with optional standards or reducing the number of assessments to reduce stress on students
• To these ends we do not withdraw students from Achievement Standards once they have begun the learning that leads to that assessment outcome. We do not withdraw students from standards that they do not achieve. Therefore, they know that what they do and how they do is visible – this encourages them to be persistent and resilient

Our Curriculum Handbook contains detailed information on The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), University Entrance, Scholarship Examinations and Numeracy and Literacy requirements, and is available from our Enrolments Team.

Gaining a qualification that matters

Leaving school with sound academic qualifications is known to confer individual and societal benefits. A Level 2 or 3 NCEA award – however the award is composed (internal, external assessment modes, endorsements) – does open doors to ongoing learning opportunities, and better life chances. Aspiring to increase the numbers of students who reach this academic milestone should be seen as important work in every New Zealand school.

We encourage students to gain a quality qualification; an endorsed certificate is an advantage for tertiary institutions Halls of Residence and University Scholarship applications.

Rangi Ruru is consistently in the top 3% of New Zealand schools for academic achievement. In national and international competitions and examinations, a high proportion of students feature at the top of their chosen fields of endeavour.

More than 95% of Rangi students go on to further tertiary study in New Zealand and overseas, many gaining substantial scholarships as a result of their work at school.

Our Results

Rangi Ruru has a reputation for high levels of achievement in exam results. We know great assessment results follow learning practices that are personal, engaging and empowering.

Results 2024

Level 1: 97% (68% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 2: 98% (75% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 3: 98% (79% at Merit or Excellence)
University Entrance: 98%

Results 2023

Level 1: 98% (90% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 2: 98% (78% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 3: 98% (73% at Merit or Excellence)
University Entrance: 96%

Results 2022

Level 1: 99% (88% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 2: 100% (82% at Merit or Excellence)
Level 3: 97% (79% at Merit or Excellence)
University Entrance: 97%