We have introduced the Middle School Certificate in years 9 and 10 with the aim of increasing student motivation, and helping students to acquire more effective skills for learning.

The main goal of Middle School Certificate is to make students focussed and successful learners, and to prepare them for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

HOW DOES MIDDLE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE WORK?
There are two parts to the Middle School Certificate – year 9 (stage one) and year 10 (stage two). All Year 9 and 10 courses offer credits which students earn with achievement. The credits students gain are directly linked to curriculum strands and essential skills.

To be awarded the Middle School Certificate at the end of each year, students must have accumulated at least 80 of the available 160 credits. It is also compulsory for students to have gained 8 literacy and numeracy credits in order to graduate. In order to recognise capable students’ level of achievement, the Middle School Certificate standards are awarded at three levels – achieved, merit and excellence.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL SKILLS?
The essential skills are the building blocks for all effective learning. They include:
- Communication skills
- Numeracy skills
- Information skills
- Problem solving skills
- Self-management skills
- Social and co-operative skills
- Physical skills
- Work and study skills

HOW ARE CREDITS EARNED?
Core subjects (English, mathematics, science and social science) are allocated three credits per term, and in the fourth term, a further two credits are available in external exams. Health, PE, hard and soft technology, IT, visual arts, music and Te Reo Maori are allocated two credits per term.

12 credits per term are awarded for uniform, homework, attendance and equipment, relationship management, whanau and extra-curricular activities. These will be decided co-operatively between class teachers, rohe teachers and deans.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GRADUATE?
Each student who successfully achieves at least 80 credits during the course of the year are acknowledged in our formal school prizegiving ceremony. Year 9 students have their stage 1 credits announced, and year 10 are awarded the Middle School Certificate.

A merit certificate is awarded to students who achieve 110-139 credits, and an excellence certificate is awarded to students who achieve over 140 credits. Monetary ‘scholarship’ awards are granted for certificates gained at merit or excellence level (this may contribute directly towards the cost of their Gold Coast trip).

The Middle School Certificate demonstrates that every student graduating has reached a level of learning that will successfully equip them for study at the next level in Year 11.

As a reward for graduating with their Middle School Certificate students are able to participate in a trip to the Gold Coast at the end of the fourth term. Funds towards this trip are raised over the two years required to obtain the Middle School Certificate. Students also have the opportunity to raise funds within social science units. This trip is exclusive to those who achieve Middle School Certificate.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT DOES NOT GRADUATE?
Students with fewer than 80 credits may be required to repeat part, or all of the year’s course. This decision will be made in consultation with families, classroom teachers and deans. If a student has not achieved their eight literacy and eight numeracy credits, a callback option is provided where the students will be required to attend extra lessons at lunchtime, after school, in the weekend or the holidays in order to obtain the necessary credits.

WHAT FEEDBACK WILL STUDENTS RECEIVE ON THEIR PROGRESS?
Students are able to check their credit totals with classroom teachers, level teachers or deans at any time during the year. Reports are issued throughout the year and will indicate the credits a student has gained. A graduation ceremony will be held at the end of the year in conjunction with school prizegiving.

HOW ARE CREDITS ALLOCATED TO STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE DURING THE YEAR?
Students not present at the beginning of the year have their target set as a percentage of the time remaining in the year.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED?
- Ensure that their children attends class regularly and is organised
- Check their children’s homework diary
- Take an interest in their children’s school work and encourage them to succeed