Wellington College Certificate

Wellington College has a proud history of developing and recognising academic excellence in our students and the effort it takes to meet their personal goals and be prepared for the rigours of NCEA.

Our main aim is for our students to meet their academic goals, and the most influential determining factor for students to meet their potential is their effort. We believe that academic progress is the result of hard work, so while subject results do not determine the level of certificate a student receives, their level of effort does.

Alongside valuing academic effort, we know more now about the critical role that positive emotions and a sense of belonging has on the engagement and outcomes of young people in education. Through the Wellington College Certificate we highlight the development of well-rounded individuals through other facets of student life, including the domains of Arts and Culture, Community and Service, and Physical Activity.

“No matter what your current ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck

The Pounamu Certificate is the highest certificate and is awarded to students who demonstrate effort ‘Consistently’ across their subjects in their reports in the ‘Ready to Learn’ and ‘Engaged and Focused’ attributes.


Students must participate in 3 co-curricular activities/groups, and at least two must be from different domains to secure their Pounamu certificate.

The Gold Certificate is awarded to students who demonstrate effort between ‘Mostly’ and ‘Consistently’ across their subjects in their reports in the ‘Ready to Learn’ and ‘Engaged and Focused’ attributes.

Students must participate in 2 co-curricular activities/groups which must be from different domains to secure their Gold certificate.

The Silver Certificate is awarded to students who demonstrate effort ‘Mostly’ across their subjects in their reports in the ‘Ready to Learn’ and ‘Engaged and Focused’ attributes.

Students must participate in any 2 co-curricular activities/groups to secure their Silver certificate.

The Black and White Certificate is awarded to students who demonstrate effort ‘Sometimes’ across their subjects in the ‘Ready to Learn’ and ‘Engaged and Focused’ attributes.

We recognise academic growth in all its forms. This certificate indicates that while there is room for improvement, this student is willing to grow academically and contribute to wider school life through participation in at least 1 co-curricular activity/group

Academic Effort

The key attributes we look to in terms of effort in the classroom is how students are demonstrating their readiness to learn and being engaged and focused.

Below are some examples of what these would look like in the classroom.

Ready to Learn expectations:

  • Arriving to class early
  • Uniform is correct
  • Has the required equipment and materials
  • Entering the classroom calmly as per the teacher’s rituals and routines
  • Beginning work promptly

Engaged and Focused expectations:

  • Participating appropriately in class discussion
  • Sustaining concentration on their work
  • Putting in their best effort
  • Putting their hand up and asking the teacher questions if they need help
  • Contributing to a positive and productive learning environment

Co-Curricular

Co-Curricular Domain: Arts and Culture

  • Any music groups offered at WC
  • Any of the Drama groups or productions on offer at WC
  • Any cultural groups including Kapa Haka and Pacific Performance Group
  • Any debating and speech making groups or activities such as Ngā Manu Kōrero
  • Showing long term commitment to a club, with ongoing and regular attendance.

Co-Curricular Domain: Community and Service (Logged into their student’s SVA – Student Volunteer Army)

  • Any volunteering such as at the soup kitchen, charity fundraising etc
  • Leadership including student council, Tū Tamatoa, Together as Brothers, or your local community group.
  • Hosting visitors to the school, tour guides at events. Welcoming manuhiri at Pōhiri and Mihi Whakatau
  • Backstage and technical support
  • Lighting, sound, IT support etc

Co-Curricular Domain: Physical Activity

  • Any sports teams offered at WC
  • Any external sports that are not offered at WC (such as Judo or Fencing)

Co-curricular engagements, by their very nature, should remain separate from mandated activities such as the Runathon or Volunteer Day. The essence of this aspect of the certificate is to encourage students’ proactive engagement in broader college endeavors.