We’re getting ready to run the NCEA Literacy and Numeracy exams here at Rolleston College from Tuesday 20 May to Thursday 22 May (week 4, term 2). These exams are part of a national requirement for all students working towards an NCEA qualification.

We’d like to explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for your child.

Exam times and dates

9am on Tuesday 20 May: Writing

11am on Wednesday 21 May: Reading

9am on Thursday 22 May: Numeracy

Learners who are sitting these exams will get an email telling them exactly where and when to go.

The NCEA co-requisite exams check that students have the essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills needed for future learning, work, and life. From now on, all students will need to pass these three areas at least once during their NCEA journey to achieve any Level 1, 2, or 3 qualification.

We’ve identified a group of learners in year 9 and 10 who will sit the exams in May based on how they’ve been doing in their classes and their e-asTTle results.

If year 11-13 learners have not already gained their Literacy or Numeracy qualification yet, they have also been entered. These learners are ready for the challenge and have a good chance of passing.

Learnerss who aren’t sitting them this time will have other chances later this year in September, and again next year.

There is a meeting for ALL learners who are entered in these exams during block 2 on Monday 5 May.

What’s happening for our year 11 learners during exam week?

To make sure we have enough space and staff to run the exams properly, we’re rostering all year 11 students home from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May.

Here’s what’s we’ve got planned for our year 11 learners:

Year 11 learners who are sitting the exams will come in for their tests and then go home.

Learners who are not sitting the exams will have structured online learning from home focused on their regular timetabled classes.

They’ll also have the chance to:

• Join a Student Volunteer Army project

• Take part in a university visit experience.

More details will be shared with our year 11 learners on Google Classroom and by email.

Learners who are sitting the exams will be invited to extra sessions at school, and provided with online resources to help them prepare. We’ll also support them with logging in to the NCEA exam system and how to use it on the day.

We know this is a new process for many families, and we’re here to help. If you’re unsure whether your child is sitting the exams, or you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Check out the poster below for tutorial and Google Classroom information or download it as a pdf.