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Horowhenua College offers a full range of subjects from Year 9 to Year 13. Students are prepared for Levels 1-3 National Certificate of Educational Achievement and Level 4, Scholarship.
Year 13 students who are taking 5 Level 3 subjects may have a study line (4 periods of unsupervised study each week). Students who are doing a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 subjects must do 6 subjects.
Students aiming for University Entrance must take at least 3 "approved subjects" and should be capable of getting at least 14 credits in each of their approved subjects. Although 3 is the minimum number of approved subjects, students are advised to take at least 4 so that they have a more secure chance of getting the 14 credits in 3 subjects that they need. They must also get 10 Level 2 English credits - 5 Reading and 5 Writing credits. These are available from Level 2 and Level 3 English but also from Level 3 subjects such as History, Social Studies, Biology.
Year 12 students are required to study 6 subjects. There are no compulsory subjects at Year 12. Students may study a combination of Level 1 and Level 2 subjects. In consultation with the relevant Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge, a student may take a subject at Level 3 if they are capable of doing so.
Year 11 students are required to study 6 subjects. All students are required to take English or Te Reo Maori, Science and Maths. Most Year 11 students will do Level 1 subjects but some, in consultation with the relevant Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge, may take a subject at a higher level if they are capable of doing so
Some senior students are involved in Trades Academy programmes which are run in conjunction with UCOL. We are also running a Horticulture Academy on site. Students who are doing a Trades Academy course generally have one full day per week out on the course either at UCOL in Palmerston North, or the programme venue. On the other four days of the week they will have timetabled classes in five subjects plus a supervised study line.
UCOL courses are available to Year 12 and 13 students only. Our Horticulture Academy is open to all seniors.
Students who wish to be enrolled in the Services Academy must be referred to the Services Academy Director as they must be interviewed with their parents before they are accepted into the Services Academy. In the Services Academy students do a programme of English, Maths, Science, Outdoor Education and Military Skills. In exceptional circumstances and in consultation with the Services Academy Director, a student may do one mainstream subject as well as the Services Academy programme.
Lars Riemann - Germany, January to July 2014
My name is Lars Riemann and I am from Germany. My 6 months at Horowhenua College have been great. The students were always friendly and helpful as well as the staff. I really enjoyed the different subjects in comparison to Germany, eg. Outdoor Education, where we did several kayak trips and tramping with two nights in the mountains. The Art and Graphics subjects helped me to improve my skills for my art class at home and one of my best decisions was to join the Senior Mixed Hockey Team of the College. Through this I got even more involved in the school and their activities. It was great fun, and we have actually been quite succesful. The canoe polo, which I tried at the beginning was something new for me, as well. Over the time I made some really awesome friends, and I hope we will still stay in contact, when I'm back in Germany. » View all testimonials
