Year 10 Information Evening: NCEA Extension

Wednesday 29th July 2020

NCEA extension programme “Matatau i te Mātauranga Deep Learning”


We warmly invite you and your son to an information evening that will outline the NCEA extension programme “Matatau i te Mātauranga Deep Learning” that we are intending to offer Year 11 students in 2021 for their NCEA Level 1.

Following the NCEA presentation, we will be sharing more information about the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme (IBDP) offered to Year 12 and 13 students. Essentially informing you of a potential academic learning pathway available for your son for his remaining time at the College.

NCEA Extension Programme seminar: Thursday 27th August from 7-7:30 pm

IB Diploma Programme seminar: Thursday 27th August from 7:30-8:30 pm

We see the Year 11 extension programme as an opportunity to develop, in our students, the thinking required to gain NCEA excellence endorsements, UE scholarships or success in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Students in the Year 11 extension programme will develop:

  • Knowledge from a broad curriculum of NCEA studies (six subjects)

  • Global competencies and international mindedness

  • Learning skills

  • An individualised profile of creativity, activity and service

  • Philosophies of thinking and reflective practices

  • Effective communication skills (writing and speaking)

  • Career path plans


Courses in the IBDP are significantly coherent with common themes of global perspectives, critical thinking, ethics and service as well as a consistent approach to teaching, learning and assessment. Additional components to the programme include the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, Creativity, Activity, & Service (CAS) involvements, and a 4000-word Extended Essay that develops the sort of academic research and writing skills expected at tertiary level. It is a holistic and coherent approach to learning and is considered the ‘gold-standard’ university entrance qualification globally.

Anyone wanting to study at University should consider doing the NCEA level 1 extension programme and the IBDP. The College has offered the IBDP to senior students for the last 21 years. In this time we have had hundreds of McGlashan graduates in the programme, providing the best possible grounding for success in tertiary study whether local or abroad. The students who are currently in the programme represent a wide spectrum of John McGlashan College boys from domestic to international students, dayboys to boarders, and across academic ability also.

The IB Diploma is not only for the academic elite nor is it only for those students wanting to study overseas. While it is true that the majority of our academic students do choose the IBDP pathway, the IB diploma is readily achievable for an average student with a solid work ethic who may want to study locally or nationally.

If there are any pressing questions in the meantime, you should feel free to contact Brendan Porter (brendan.porter@mcglashan.school.nz).