Physics
- Learning Area:
- Science
- Year(s):
- 2021 - 2022
- Qualification:
- NCEA Level 2
- Course Endorsement:
- Yes
- Approx Cost:
- Course manual $25.00. Revision guides $25.00. Field trip $10.00.
- Technology Requirements:
- A laptop is of benefit for this course
- Entry Recommendations:
Students are expected to have at least 8 credits from any NCEA Level 1 Science course including a standard at Merit Level that is preferably Physics-based. Alternatively, students can discuss their suitability with the HOLA.
- Course Outline:
By the end of the Level 2 course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of atoms and radioactivity.
- Demonstrate understanding of mechanics.
- Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism.
There are three internal Achievement Standards during the year, with two external assessments at the end of the year with one being optional.
- Where Does It Lead:
Year 13/Scholarship Physics and university study. The content is a valuable "lead in" to many tertiary courses e.g, engineering, physiotherapy, radiography. It can reduce apprenticeship periods significantly and provides exemptions for many polytechnic trade and New Zealand certificate courses.
- For further information see:
- Miss Blanchard
In Year 9 students start the first year of their two year junior programme. Year 9 consists of two semesters (half year-long) with a combination of compulsory courses and option courses chosen by the students.
In Year 9 students will take 12 semester (half-year) courses that include:
a) Compulsory Courses - 2 semesters of Health & PE, Mathematics, Science, and one Semester of English and Social Studies. (the reverse happens in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
b) Option Courses - Four semesters of option courses (note: students choose 5 option courses in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
Year 10 students study five compulsory courses (English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science and Social Sciences) and six semester (half year) options (see individual course details). You can choose to do one semester course from a subject area eg: Drama - Part 1 or take two semester courses from a subject area, which is equivalent to a whole year course eg: Drama Part - 1 and Drama - Part 2. Pathways for all course at all levels are summarised on the Course Planning Chart.
A few Year 10 semester two courses require you to complete semester one first, before doing semester two.
Students won't be gaining Level 1 NCEA in Year 11. There will be up to one internal NCEA assessment per semester course, giving students the opportunity to gain approximately 45 credits but not the 80 needed for Level 1 NCEA. Some assessments maybe at Level 2 NCEA. These internal assessments will expose students to the way different subject areas assess NCEA in preparation for Year 12 and the completion of Level 2 NCEA.
Year 12 students study six year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart). There are no compulsory courses, however, English and Mathematics are strongly recommended.
Students have the option of studying five courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their five courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
Year 13 students study five year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart) and have an Independent Study (IST). A sixth course can be selected in place of IST. Students have the option of studying four courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their four courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
For students that are intending to gain University Entrance it is strongly recommended that they select at least four University Entrance approved courses. Refer to individual course details to check if a course is a University Entrance approved subject
Year 13 (IST) is independent, unsupervised learning that can take place at school or at home. Students are responsible for managing their work during this time.