Curriculum
Courses for 2025
Before your enrolment interview, please have a look at the 2025 curriculum handbook
to familiarise yourself with the courses available.
Academic Excellence
Learning at Whanganui City College is designed to challenge our students to grow both in and out of the classroom. We aim to foster the partnerships between students, whānau/family and teachers.
- Independent learning
- Passion for lifelong learning
- Confidence
- Creative problem solving
- Proud of their heritage
- Able to contribute to their whānau and community
- Connected to the global society
Learning at WCC
Fostering Inquiry
As our rangatahi move out into the world, it is essential that they take with them a kete of effective problem-solving skills. At Whanganui City College, staff endeavour to meet the aims and objectives of the New Zealand Curriculum using innovative, place-based learning experiences. Wherever possible, our focus is on giving students real-world outcomes.
At the heart of these learning experiences is a school-wide focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills.
Senior Curriculum
Students will be working towards gaining NCEA Qualifications in Years 11, 12, and 13. NCEA or The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is the main qualification for Years 11, 12 and 13.
If you need any more information you can find most of the answers on the NZQA site (NZQA student information)
Many of the courses may have both internal and external assessment available. Courses have a mix of Achievement and Unit Standards, this takes into account students’ differing strengths.
There will be a number of multi-level courses on offer to students. This will ensure that students have a wide variety of subject options to choose from.
For more information please refer to the Senior Curriculum Handbook.
Junior Curriculum
Over the two years any year 9 or 10 student will cover the necessary curriculum coverage to prepare them for the senior school. All courses will be offered to the multi level classes (years 9 and 10). This means that the students will have a wider range of learning opportunities. Students need to cover all curriculum areas over the two year period at the junior school level.
Literacy and Numeracy:
Students will have the opportunity to sit these exams during years 9 and 10. All courses will have aspects of Literacy and Numeracy in order to prepare the students. Further opportunities to achieve the students Literacy and Numeracy credits will be offered in the senior school.
For more information please refer to the Junior Curriculum Handbook.
Whanaungatanga
The foundation, the rock, the starting point on which everything we do in the school rests.
Empathy
Able to engage with and accept people from all walks of life.
Resilience
Actively seeking to identify and resolve challenges in learning and life.
Oranga
To encourage a healthy future for all