Curriculum

By choosing Botany Downs Secondary College you can be assured of earning a world-class qualification.

We deliver New Zealand’s National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1 – 3. These are national qualifications for secondary school students and are widely recognised throughout the world.

In Year 9, ALL subjects are compulsory.
Learning Areas Subjects
English English (9ENG)
English Literacy Support (9ENA)
English as an Additional Language (9ENS)
Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education (9HPE)
Languages French (9FRE)
Japanese (9JAP)
Maori (9MAO)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (9MAT)
Science Science (9SCI)
Social Sciences Social Studies (9SOS)
Technology Design and Visual Communication (9DVC)Food Technology (9TEF)
Multi Materials Technology (9TEM)
Textiles Technology (9TET)
The Arts Dance (9DAN)
Drama (9DRA)
Music (9MUS)
Visual Art (9ART)
Vocational and General Courses
In Year 10, English, Mathematics &Statistics, Health & Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences, and Tutor Mentoring are compulsory subjects.

Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

Learning Areas Subjects
English English (10ENG)
English Language Support (10ELS)
Media Studies (10MED)
Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education (10HPE)
Outdoor Leadership (10ODL)
Physical Education (10PED)
Languages French (10FRE)
Japanese (10JAP)
Maori (10MAO)
Spanish (10SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (10MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Accelerated (1MAX) Level 1 standards for Year 10 accelerated students
Science Science (10SCI)
Science – Accelerated (1SCX) Level 1 standards for Year 10 accelerated students
Electronics (10ELE)
Social Sciences Social Studies (10SOS)
Ancient Civilisations (10ANC)
Business Pathways (10BUP)
Investigative Geography (10IGO)
Technology Design and Visual Communication (10DVC)
Digital Technologies (10DIT)
Food Technology (10TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (10TEM)
Textiles Technology (10TET)
The Arts Art (10ART)
Dance (10DAN)
Digital Art (10DRT)
Drama (10DRA)
Music (10MUS)
Vocational and General Courses
In Year 11, English, Mathematics & STatistics, Health & Physical Education, and Science are compulsory subjects.

Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

Learning Areas Subjects – Level 1
English English (1ENG)
English – Alternative (1ENA)
English – Extended (1ENE)
English – Literacy (1ENL)
English as an Additional Language (1ENS)
English as an Additional Language (1ENP)
English Language Support (1ELS)
Media Studies (1MED)
Health and Physical Education Active Wellbeing (1AWB)
Early Childhood Education (1ECE)
Health Education (1HED)
Outdoor Education (1OED)
Physical Education (1PED)
Languages French (1FRE)
Japanese (1JAP)
Maori (1MAO)*
Spanish (1SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (1MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Alternative (1MAA)
Mathematics and Statistics – Numeracy (1MNU)
Mathematics and Statistics – Accelerated (2MAX)
Science Science (1SCI)
Science – Alternative (1SCA)
Supplementary Science (1SCS)
Social Sciences Accounting (1ACC)
Business Studies (1BUS)
Economics (1ECO)
Geography (1GEO)
History (1HIS)
Technology Digital Technologies (1DIT)
Design and Visual Communication (1DVC)
Food and Hospitality (1FAH)
Food Technology (1TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (1TEM)
Textiles Technology (1TET)
The Arts Dance (1DAN)
Drama (1DRA)
Music (1MUS)
Visual Art – Practical (1ART)
Visual Art – Digital (1DRT)
Vocational and General Courses Trade Skills (1TSS)
Work and Community Studies (1WCS)
In Year 12, English is the only compulsory subject.

Mathematics & Statistics, Health & Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences, Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

Learning Areas Subjects – Level 2
English English (2ENG)
English – Alternative (2ENA)
English – Extended (2ENE)
English as an Additional Language (2ENS)
English as an Additional Language (2ENP)
Media Studies (2MED)
Health and Physical Education Early Childhood Education (2ECE)
Health Education (2HED)
Outdoor Education (2OED)
Outdoor Education – Alternative (2ODA)
Physical Education (2PED)
Sports Studies (2SPS)
Languages Chinese (2CHI)
French (2FRE)
Japanese (2JAP)
Maori (2MAO)*
Spanish (2SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (2MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Alternative (2MAA)
Mathematics and Statistics – Extended (2MAE)
Calculus – Accelerated (3MAX) for Level 2 accelerated students
Science Biology (2BIA, 2BIO)
Chemistry (2CHA, 2CHE)
Physics (2PHY)
Social Sciences Accounting (2ACC)
Business Studies (2BUS)
Classical Studies (2CLS)
Economics (2ECO)
Financial Studies (2FIN)
Geography (2GEO)
History (2HIS)
Psychology (2PSY)
Travel and Tourism (2TSM)
Technology Building Skills (2BSS)
Digital Technologies – Info Systems (2DIT)
Digital Technologies – Programming (2DIP)
Design and Visual Communication (2DVC)
Engineering Skills (2ESS)
Food and Hospitality (2FAH)
Food Technology (2TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (2TEM)
Textiles Technology (2TET)
The Arts Dance (2DAN)
Drama (2DRA)
Music (2MUS)
Visual Art – Design (2DES)
Visual Art – Painting (2ART)
Visual Art – Photography (2PHO)
Art History (2ARH)
Vocational and General Courses Careers Pathways (2CAP)
Work and Community Skills (2WCS)
In Year 13, ALL subjects are optional.
Learning Areas Subjects – Level 3
English English (3ENG)
English – Extended (3ENE)
English – Level 2 Booster (3ENB)
English as an Additional Language (3ENS)
English Language Support (3ELS)
Media Studies (3MED)
Health and Physical Education Early Childhood Education (3ECE)
Health Education (3HED)
Outdoor Education (3OED)
Physical Education (3PED)
Sports Studies (3SPS)
Languages Chinese (3CHI)
French (3FRE)
Japanese (3JAP)
Maori (3MAO)*
Spanish (3SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Calculus (3MAC)
Calculus Scholarship (3MCS)
Mathematics (3MAT)
Statistics and Probability (3SAP)
Statistics and Probability – Alternative (3SPA)
Science Biology (3BIA, 3BIO)
Chemistry (3CHE)
Physics (3PHY)
Psychology (3PSY)
Social Sciences Accounting (3ACC)
Business Studies (3BUS)
Classical Studies (3CLS)
Economics (3ECO)
Financial Studies (3FIN)
Geography (3GEO)
History (3HIS)
Travel and Tourism (3TSM)
Technology Digital Technologies – Programming (3DIP)
Digital Technologies – Info Systems (3DIT)
Design and Visual Communication (3DVC)
Food and Hospitality (3FAH)
Food Technology (3TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (3TEM)
Textiles Technology (3TET)
The Arts Art History (3ARH)
Dance (3DAN)
Drama (3DRA)
Music – Practical (3MUP)
Music Studies (3MUS)
Visual Art – Design (3DES)
Visual Art – Painting (3ART)
Visual Art – Photography (3PHO)
Vocational and General Courses Careers Pathways (3CAP)

Subjects

YEAR 9
In Year 9, ALL subjects are compulsory.

scroll/swipe to view full table

Learning Areas Subjects
English English (9ENG)
English Literacy Support (9ENA)
English as an Additional Language (9ENS)
Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education (9HPE)
Languages French (9FRE)
Japanese (9JAP)
Māori (9MAO)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (9MAT)
Science Science (9SCI)
Social Sciences Social Studies (9SOS)
Technology Design and Visual Communication (9DVC)Food Technology (9TEF)
Multi Materials Technology (9TEM)
Textiles Technology (9TET)
The Arts Dance (9DAN)
Drama (9DRA)
Music (9MUS)
Visual Art (9ART)
Vocational and General Courses
YEAR 10
In Year 10, English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science, and Social Sciences are compulsory subjects.

Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

scroll/swipe to view full table

Learning Areas Subjects
English English (10ENG)
English Literacy Support (10ENA)
Media Studies (10MED)
English as an Additional Language (10ENS)
English as an Additional Language (10ENP)
Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education (10HPE)
Outdoor Leadership (10ODL)
Physical Education (10PED)
Languages French (10FRE)
Japanese (10JAP)
Māori (10MAO)
Spanish (10SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics (10MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Alternative (10MAA)
Mathematics and Statistics – Extension (10MAX1) Level 1 standards for Year 10 accelerated students
Science Science (10SCI)
Science – Extension (SCX1) Level 1 standards for Year 10 accelerated students
Electronics (10ELE)
Social Sciences Social Studies (10SOS)
Ancient Civilisations (10ANC)
Business Pathways (10BUP)
Investigative Geography (10IGO)
Technology Design and Visual Communication (10DVC)
Digital Technology (10DIT)
Food Technology (10TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (10TEM)
Textiles Technology (10TET)
The Arts Dance (10DAN)
Digital Art (10DRT)
Drama (10DRA)
Music (10MUS)
Visual Art (10ART)
Vocational and General Courses
YEAR 11
In Year 11, only English and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.

Health & Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences, Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

scroll/swipe to view full table

Learning Areas Subjects – Level 1
English English (1ENG)
English – Alternative (1ENA)
English – Extension (1ENE)
Media Studies (1MED)
English as an Additional Language (1ENS)
English as an Additional Language (1ENP)
Health and Physical Education Heath and Physical Education (1HPE)
Early Childhood Education (1ECE)
Health Education (1HED)
Outdoor Education (1OED)
Physical Education (1PED)
Languages French (1FRE)
Japanese (1JAP)
Māori (1MAO)*
Spanish (1SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics – Alternative (1MAA)
Mathematics and Statistics (1MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Numeracy (1MNU)
Mathematics and Statistics – Extension (2MAX) for L1 accelerated students
Science Science – Core (1SCI)
Science – Alternative (1SCA)
Science – Supplementary Science (1SCS)
Electronics (1ELE)
Social Sciences Accounting (1ACC)
Business Studies (1BUS)
Economics (1ECO)
Geography (1GEO)
History (1HIS)
Technology Digital Technology (1DIT)
Design and Visual Communication (1DVC)
Food and Hospitality (1FAH)
Food Technology (1TEF)
Multi-Materials Technology (1TEM)
Textiles Technology (1TET)
The Arts Dance (1DAN)
Digital Art (1DRT)
Drama (1DRA)
Music (1MUS)
Visual Art (1ART)
Vocational and General Courses Work and Community Studies (1WCS)
YEAR 12
In Year 12, English is the only compulsory subject.

Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences, Languages, Technology, The Arts, and Vocational Courses are optional.

scroll/swipe to view full table

Learning Areas Subjects – Level 2
English English (2ENG)
English – Alternative (2ENA)
English – Extension (2ENE)
Media Studies (2MED)
English as an Additional Language (2ENS)
English as an Additional Language (2ENP)
Health and Physical Education Early Childhood Education (2ECE)
Health Education (2HED)
Outdoor Education (2OED)
Outdoor Education Alternative (2ODA)
Physical Education (2PED)
Sports Leadership (2SPL)
Languages Chinese (2CHI)
French (2FRE)
Japanese (2JAP)
Māori (2MAO)*
Spanish (2SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics – Alternative (2MAA)
Mathematics and Statistics (2MAT)
Mathematics and Statistics – Extension (2MAE)
Mathematics and Calculus – Extension (3MAX) for Level 2 accelerated students
Science Biology (2BIA, 2BIO)
Chemistry (2CHA, 2CHE)
Electronics (2ELE)
Physics (2PHY)
Social Sciences Accounting (2ACC)
Business Studies (2BUS)
Classical Studies (2CLS)
Economics (2ECO)
Financial Studies (2FIN)
Geography (2GEO)
History (2HIS)
Travel and Tourism (2TSM)
Technology Automotive Engineering (2ATM)
Building Construction (2BCN)
Digital Technology – Programming (2DIP)
Digital Technology (2DIT)
Design and Visual Communication (2DVC)
Food and Hospitality (2FAH)
Food Technology (2TEF)
Microsoft Office Specialist (2MOS)
Multi-Materials Technology (2TEM)
Textiles Technology (2TET)
The Arts Dance (2DAN)
Drama (2DRA)
Music (2MUS)
Visual Art (2ART)
Art History (2ARH)
Design (2DES)
Photography (2PHO)
Vocational and General Courses Careers Pathways (2CAP)
YEAR 13
In Year 13, ALL subjects are optional.

scroll/swipe to view full table

Learning Areas Subjects – Level 3
English English (3ENG)
English Booster Course (3ENB-L2/3 AS)
English – Extension (3ENE)
Media Studies (3MED)
English as an Additional Language (3ENS)
Health and Physical Education Early Childhood Education (3ECE)
Health Education (3HED)
Outdoor Education (3OED)
Physical Education (3PED)
Sports Leadership (3SPL)
Languages Chinese (3CHI)
French (3FRE)
Japanese (3JAP)
Māori (3MAO)*
Spanish (3SPH)
Mathematics and Statistics Calculus (3MAC)
Calculus – Alternative (3MCA)
Statistics and Probability (3SAP)
Statistics and Probability – Alternative (3SPA)
Mathematics (3MAT)
Science Biology (3BIA, 3BIO)
Chemistry (3CHE)
Electronics (3ELE)
Physics (3PHY)
Social Sciences Accounting (3ACC)
Business Studies (3BUS)
Classical Studies (3CLS)
Economics (3ECO)
Financial Studies (3FIN)
Geography (3GEO)
History (3HIS)
Travel and Tourism (3TSM)
Technology Digital Technology – Programming (3DIP)
Digital Technology (3DIT)
Design and Visual Communication (3DVC)
Food and Hospitality (3FAH)
Food Technology (3TEF)
Microsoft Office Specialist (3MOS)
Multi-Materials Technology (3TEM)
Textiles Technology (3TET)
The Arts Dance (3DAN)
Drama (3DRA)
Making Music – Practical (3MUP)
Music Studies (3MUS)
Visual Art (3ART)
Art History (3ARH)
Design (3DES)
Photography (3PHO)
Vocational and General Courses Careers Pathways (3CAP)

Our focus is to provide a range of subjects and alternative options for students. So, whether you want to be an actor or an architect, we can help you to get what you need to achieve your own academic and career goals. Of course, the availability of subjects depends on the time of year and the number of students in each class, but, as you can see, we have a great selection from which to choose.  

All international students follow the same academic programme as other students in the college, so you’ll have the same opportunities as New Zealand students (although additional fees may apply) and you’ll be taught side-by-side with Kiwi kids.

Schooling at secondary level in New Zealand

Secondary study lasts five years and begins when students are 12 or 13 years old. The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main school qualification at this level and is well-recognised overseas.

In Years 11-13 (when students are 16 to 18 years old), we prepare students to achieve NCEA Level 1-3.

A great feature of our NCEA system is its flexibility; more able students can be assessed against higher level standards.

  • In English, for example, the teacher could set a writing task and assess students against Level 1, or Level 2 standards, depending on your ability.
  • In Mathematics, students can complete their class-based assessments for Level 1 standards, and then make a start on some Level 2 standards.

This approach allows us to challenge all students and provide a selection of subjects that is best for you.

If you’d prefer, you can watch a short video  on how NCEA works.

Recognition

New Zealand has a world-leading education system recognised by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). A number of international agreements ensure NCEA results are understood and accepted overseas. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is recognised in the European Union (including Britain and Germany), Australia, Thailand, and India.

We also have lots of experience dealing with students from Latin American countries and we are able to arrange con-validation for students from Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia and Mexico.

In short, wherever you come from, we are able to work with your country’s education system to have your time and qualifications recognised.

Support

We know choosing subjects can be difficult, especially when you aren’t familiar with a different school system.

More about New Zealand’s education system

You can read more about the New Zealand education system at the Ministry of Education website and Education New Zealand’s Study in New Zealand website

A peak body for schools supporting international students in the education sector

Coming Soon

Sign up to receive our latest News & Events