Year 13 Overview

Students studying at this level are working toward NCEA Level 3 or entry to specific tertiary training.

Religious Education is the only compulsory course. Mathematics and a literacy rich subject will need to be continued if students have not attained the requirements for University Entrance. See below of more. Students may choose any other five courses offered, depending on individual circumstances, to make up a total of six courses.

In Year 13, students study the following:

  • Religious Education
    • A L1 Mathematics course will be required if students have not gained the Numeracy requirement at L1 or L2
    • Students need to know how they will gain the University Entrance Literacy requirement if they hope to achieve University Entrance by the end of the year. 
  • Any other five subjects, depending on individual circumstances, to make up a total of six subjects.

Other Programmes: 

  • Club Garin Activities (Sport/Arts/Service)
  • The Journey Programme
  • House Competitions
  • Special Calendared events—Mahi Toi

Guidance Notes:

Students take Religious Education plus choose five other courses.

Students assess for the Numeracy requirements in year 11. There is no further numeracy requirement for University Entrance. 

In Year 13 (and Year 12) learners complete Achievement Standards that have Reading and Writing credits attached to them. In order to reach University Entrance Literacy requirements learners must achieve 5 credits in Writing & 5 credits in Reading. Each Level 2 and Level 3 course lists the standards at the bottom of the description and flags the reading and writing credits.

Planning your pathway to further study after school is really important. Mrs Helliwell has put together this document which describes the best preparation you can do for tertiary courses that Garin students commonly go on to study.


Students normally get their first choices, but timetabling clashes may occur which require students to re-select alternative combinations of programmes. The timetabler will advise you if this happens.

NCEA provides the opportunity for true multi-level study. Students doing Level 3 may select from Level 1 and 2 courses also if these fit their timetable.

As always, students should be asking the central question—”Is this programme selection progressing me in the future direction I have identified for myself?”

If numbers are insufficient for a course it may not be offered.