The secrets behind the NCEA success

The secrets

behind the NCEA success

The 243 NCEA Excellence endorsements and 62 Scholarship awards achieved by St Andrew’s College students in 2021 is a testament to their hard work, and the people, systems, and programmes in place to support them, says Head of Secondary School, Evert van Florenstein. “Over the last few years there has been a cultural shift that everybody can achieve, no matter who you are. The students are definitely buying into this, and it is a real team effort behind the scenes to support them to do so.”

The Excellence endorsement and Scholarship results are exceptional, however it is the University Entrance rate of 94.2 per cent, which Evert is most excited about. “I was hoping we would get to around 90 per cent, so to have 94.2 per cent of our Year 13 students eligible to go on to university was really pleasing. Nationally the average for Decile 8–10 schools was 67.5 per cent, and nationally it was 51.7 per cent, so we are well ahead.”

Evert says a University Entrance Literacy programme, introduced in Term 2 for students who did not achieve the UE Literacy requirements in Year 12, was a key driver of these results. “The students were really engaged with it, and worked hard throughout the year. Nearly all went into the examinations with a good chance of achieving it.”

The 62 Scholarship awards achieved by St Andrew’s students, five at Outstanding level, is almost three times the 23 Scholarships achieved in 2017. A number of students achieved multiple Scholarship awards, which is a significant achievement, placing them among the top students in New Zealand. “The Scholarship programme continues to go from strength to strength. Our students decide for themselves which subjects they want to attempt, and we encourage them to do it in subjects they are excited about. Many more students in Years 12–13 are starting to believe they are capable of getting a Scholarship, with a handful of students in Year 11 each year starting to have a go. The Scholarship programme is a great learning experience for students, but we are also mindful it is not at the expense of their other interests, like sports or cultural pursuits.”

Evert says the 243 Excellence endorsements achieved across Years 11–13 is impressive, but almost expected, given the support wrapped around each student. “Our philosophy is that no one gets left behind. We utilise data from the Power BI program to keep track of our students’ progress throughout the year and support them at the earliest stage if required.” The Learning Support Committees in the Middle School and Senior College are becoming more adept, with a strong focus on Individual Learning Plans for students who are identified as not fitting into the ‘cookie cutter’ subjects, says Evert. “We have students studying courses outside the College which are more aligned with their aspirations.”

Overall, Evert says the results are extremely pleasing. “We can, and therefore we should be achieving these results. We have great students, great systems and learning opportunities, and great staff, who are dedicated to supporting the students.”

Head of Secondary School, Evert van Florenstein, with some of the College’s top academics, Cindy Xiong, Sarah Anthony and Corin Simcock (all Year 13), who achieved New Zealand Scholarships in Year 12.