Proposal for NCEA changes

The Minister of Education made a significant announcement about the future direction of our national qualification, NCEA. Consultation on the proposal has opened, and over the coming weeks schools and communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the final shape of this proposal. Your feedback as parents of students undertaking NCEA is valuable, and we encourage you to consider the documents linked below.

The timeline for the proposal means that there will be no changes for current students in Years 9-13. Under this proposal, students who are currently in Year 8 would be the first group to undertake the new Foundational Award in Year 11 (in 2028) and new qualifications in Year 12 and 13 in 2029 and 2030 respectively.  

While we respond to the proposed changes to NCEA, parents of students currently sitting our national qualification can be assured that NCEA is a good qualification, and we are committed to delivering quality teaching and learning programmes and supporting all our students to thrive. The calibre of our alumni, graduates of NCEA, who spoke at our Careers Expo last week about their successful pathways into tertiary education and in a range of industries is testament to the excellent opportunities they enjoyed here at Northcote College.

Ministry of Education - consultation on proposal to replace NCEA: https://www.education.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-proposal-replace-ncea/details 

Ministry of Education - proposed changes to NCEA: what you need to know as parents and caregivers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wx5iueUn8Lco5g6MWW3LerlA2HOUybR4/view?usp=sharing 
Ministry of Education - survey questions for parents and whānau: https://web-assets.education.govt.nz/s3fs-public/2025-08/250801%20Parents%20family%20and%20student%20questions.pdf?VersionId=BDLmPrXfTAi5bZK6xB0n8tWKcJ72_nm