The government is proposing significant change to our national qualification.

Kia ora e te whānau, 

You may have seen recent media reports that the government is proposing to replace NCEA with a new qualification pathway. Our current students in Years 9-13 are not impacted by these changes, and will sit NCEA in the senior school. The new qualification will be in place from 2028 – 2030, impacting our incoming Year 8 students. 

At Wellington College, we are committed to providing a coherent and rigorous programme of learning that prepares our ākonga (students) for success both at school and beyond. Our current approach across Years 9–11, followed by NCEA Levels 2 and 3, is deliberately designed to ensure that students leave school with valuable qualifications and clear, meaningful pathways into further study, training, or employment. Many of our students also achieve Scholarships to top universities in New Zealand and overseas.

We have already removed NCEA Level 1 and replaced it with a redesigned Year 9–11 Learning Progression Framework (LPF). This framework allows us to focus on building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, while also giving students opportunities to deepen their knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects. By reducing high-stakes external assessments in Year 11, we have created around 10 extra weeks for deeper, more authentic learning. This approach develops subject expertise, confidence, and resilience while supporting personalised pathways and meaningful assessment. Students receive regular feedback to make their progress clear and purposeful, and we keep whānau updated throughout the year. 

Our commitment to meaningful learning and student growth remains central, providing stability for our students while also ensuring we are well-placed to adapt as the national curriculum evolves.

What is changing about NCEA and the curriculum?

Looking ahead, Wellington College is well-placed to respond to any changes to NCEA and the curriculum. Our staff are experienced, agile, and proactive in adapting programmes so that they continue to meet the needs of every learner. You can be confident that, as the national qualification evolves, we will remain focused on delivering an education that is rigorous, relevant, and purposeful, ensuring that all students are equipped to thrive in the next stage of their journey.

Proposed changes:

• Year 11 (from 2028): NCEA Level 1 will be removed. Students will instead work towards a Foundational Award that focuses on core skills in literacy, numeracy, te reo matatini and pāngarau.

• Year 12 (from 2029): NCEA Level 2 will be replaced by the new New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE).

• Year 13 (from 2030): NCEA Level 3 will be replaced by the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE).

• Subjects: Students will take five subjects each year and must pass at least four to gain their qualification.

• Marking system: Each subject will be marked out of 100, with results reported as letter grades (A–E) instead of Achieved/Merit/Excellence.

• Curriculum: The national curriculum is being updated to match these new qualifications and pathways.

Consultation on this significant government proposal is open until 15 September 2025, and we would encourage you to contribute your thoughts. You can have your say here.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries about what this proposal may mean for your young person’s education at Wellington College. 

Nāku noa, nā

Luci Lendrum

DP Achievement and Attainment