National Certificate of Educational Achievement 

Understanding NCEA

The NZQA Website includes all the current information about NCEA, a explanatory video (see screenshot below) and how to achieve it to move into tertiary study or work. To access the page, please visit About NCEA

NCEA Student Handbook

Each year, our Student Assessment Handbook is published to guide students through the adminstration of NCEA, and their rights and responsibilities.​​​​​​​

The Freyberg High School Handbook is a reference for students doing NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 and outlines the school’s systems and processes for NCEA. 

How it works (06:03 mins)​​​​​​​

Watch the following video that explains how NCEA works.

Further NCEA specific information can be found at the NZQA website - NZQA Website

To find out how a student is tracking toward NCEA/academic goals, please log onto Parent Portal or contact their kaiārahi (a development of the academic coach role).​​​​​​​

To find out how a student is tracking in a specific subject, please contact their subject teacher.

To find out more about how NCEA is administered in a specific subject, please contact the Head of Department of that subject.

To find out more about how NCEA is administered across the school, please contact the Principal's Nominee, Tarron Stead​​​​​​​

Proposed NCEA Changes: What Parents Need to Know


The government is proposing significant change to our national qualification.

Kia ora e te whānau, 


You may have seen recent media reports that the government is proposing to replace NCEA with a new qualification pathway. Our current students in Years 9-13 are not impacted by these changes, and will sit NCEA in the senior school. The new qualification will be in place from 2028 – 2030, impacting our incoming Year 8 students. 

At Freyberg High School, we are committed to providing a coherent and rigorous programme of learning that prepares our ākonga (students) for success both at school and beyond. Our current approach across Years 9–11, followed by NCEA Levels 2 and 3, is deliberately designed to ensure that students leave school with valuable qualifications and clear, meaningful pathways into further study, training, or employment. Many of our students also achieve Scholarships to top universities in New Zealand and overseas.

Our commitment to meaningful learning and student growth remains central, providing stability for our students while also ensuring we are well-placed to adapt as the national curriculum evolves.


What is changing about NCEA and the curriculum?

Looking ahead, Freyberg High School is well-placed to respond to any changes to NCEA and the curriculum. Our staff are experienced, agile, and proactive in adapting programmes so that they continue to meet the needs of every learner. You can be confident that, as the national qualification evolves, we will remain focused on delivering an education that is rigorous, relevant, and purposeful, ensuring that all students are equipped to thrive in the next stage of their journey.


Proposed changes:

  • Year 11 (from 2028): NCEA Level 1 will be removed. Students will instead work towards a Foundational Award that focuses on core skills in literacy, numeracy, te reo matatini and pāngarau.
  • Year 12 (from 2029): NCEA Level 2 will be replaced by the new New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE).
  • Year 13 (from 2030): NCEA Level 3 will be replaced by the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE).
  • Subjects: Students will take five subjects each year and must pass at least three to gain their qualification.
  • Marking system: Each subject will be marked out of 100, with results reported as letter grades (A–E) instead of Achieved/Merit/Excellence.
  • Curriculum: The national curriculum is being updated to match these new qualifications and pathways.