You can help your children do their best at school
As a parent, you do this by:
- being involved in your child's learning
- understanding the school system and qualifications, like NCEA and University Entrance (UE)
- helping your children make subject choices that match their goals
- getting your children extra support when needed.
On this page
Understanding the school system and NCEA
It's easier to be involved if you understand New Zealand's school system.
- NCEA is the most important secondary school qualification.
- Achieving NCEA leads to University Entrance (UE).
- What your child studies for NCEA affects their future.
Good grades matter, but it's also important for children to choose subjects that match their goals.
For example, Atu is in Year 12 and wants to be a forensic scientist. She needs to study Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths and English.
Learn about NCEA at an NCEA ma le Pasifika workshop
We run free NCEA ma le Pasifika workshops that teach parents, families and community groups about NCEA.
Helpful links
Support programmes and groups for Pacific learners
There are many groups helping young Pacific people.
Some groups and programmes have a special focus, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects).
Others provide general support.
Read more about these programmes or enrol your children
Special assessment conditions (SAC) help learners succeed
SAC is for students who need extra help during NCEA assessments.
It helps learners by removing barriers to achievement.
- It's available to students with physical, medical, sensory, or learning needs.
- SAC applies during internal assessments and exams.
- You can ask your child's school for SAC on your child's behalf.
Examples of how SAC helps
Sefa has dyslexia. He's great at solving puzzles and has excellent spatial awareness. But in other areas, such as the NCEA English exam, he needs extra support.
Sefa's school can apply for SAC so he gets extra writing time in the English exam.
Meilani is partially blind. She's a fast thinker, and her maths skills are amazing. But she can't see the exam paper or her answer sheet as well as other students can.
Meilani's school can apply for SAC so she can use larger papers in the maths exam.
Lex has autism. Their problem-solving skills are very advanced for their age. But they get overwhelmed in assessment conditions.
Lex's school can apply for SAC so Lex can have rest breaks during the algebra assessment.
Learn more about SAC
List of available SAC (external link)
SAC information for students (external link)
Your child may need a device and internet access
High school students need a laptop for school work.
Learners also need digital skills because in most jobs, they'll work with computers.
Plus, most systems and services are now online.
Getting access to devices and the internet
Some schools provide children with laptop computers for home use.
They can do this because they are supported by groups such as the The Laptop Drop.
Speak to your child's school to see if they have laptops for children.
Free laptops for Pacific learners
DigiTautua is a non-profit group that provides laptops to Pacific students.
Apply for a device (external link) - DigiTautua website