Cambridge International
Examinations
Years 11, 12 and 13
ACG Senior College is pleased to offer a full Cambridge
International qualification, ranging from IGCSE to A Level.
Cambridge International has offered assessments around the world for over
150 years and, as part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate (UCLES), is now one of the world’s leading educational providers
in over 150 countries. Each year, millions of students around the world gain
Cambridge qualifications. There are over 50 schools in New Zealand offering
the Cambridge International qualifications.
This is an ideal qualification for students studying anywhere, and especially
in the southern hemisphere as the academic year runs from January to
December which fits the university academic year.
New Zealand’s top co-educational senior school
ACG Senior College is amongst New Zealand’s top academic schools.
From its inception in 1995 as New Zealand’s only specialist pre-university
centre, the College has become a focus for educational success. It has
consistently ranked as the top co-educational senior school in the country.
City centre location
Located right in the heart of Auckland, ACG Senior College students enjoy
the vibrancy and energy of inner-city life. The School is housed in an historic
building in the education precinct with easy walking access to art galleries,
the Auckland City Library, The University of Auckland and AUT University.
A specialist pre-university centre
ACG Senior College provides excellent preparation for university study by
focussing on the progress of senior school students from Years 11 to 13.
Each student has regular and direct contact with their ‘tutor’ teacher who has
pastoral and academic oversight of each of the students in their group. The
tutor teacher liaises with the Dean of the respective students’ Year levels in
order to provide important information to support the progress of all learners.
ACG Senior College teachers represent some of the very best in their
subject fields. Each teacher is a highly qualified specialist with considerable
experience in teaching the Cambridge International curriculum. Teachers are
passionate about their subject and work to enthuse students to appreciate
higher learning and critical thinking.
active learners who gain a sense of ownership of their learning,
supported by caring and knowledgeable subject specialists.
The main attributes an ACG Senior College student needs are
a love of learning and a positive work ethic.
Outstanding academic results
ACG Senior College students have consistently achieved
outstanding results, both personally and against national and
international academic standards.
A total of 50 Top in the World and 152 Top in New Zealand awards
were gained by ACG Senior College students between 2005 and
2013 in the Cambridge International Examinations. In addition,
ACG Senior College students have achieved Top in the World in
Art & Design ten years in a row.
Cambridge International Examinations
Staff at ACG Senior College work in partnership with their students fostering
intellectual discourse and shared learning. In short, students and staff inspire
each other. ACG Senior College is a place where young people become
Results
2010201120122013
IGCSE Pass rate 99%99%99%95%
AS Level Pass rate94%91%93%93%
A Level Pass rate
100%
99%
100%
100%
Key facts:
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A senior school with outstanding academic student
achievement
Smaller classes, a longer day and longer lessons contribute
to effective student learning
A wide range of extra-curricular and leadership
Conveniently situated in the heart of Auckland City
A wide range of subjects is offered to help prepare for
university, including preparation for Global Perspectives and
Thinking Skills
The School’s pastoral systems provide active support based
on strong ties between students and teaching staff
Students wear tidy casual clothing befitting of our
pre-university status - no uniform.
www.acgedu.com
Extra-curricular choices
ACG Senior College has a wide range of extra-currcular activities available
for students. All students are encouraged to take advantage of these
opportunities and become part of the college community in preparation for
a contribution to society when they leave school.
A number of activities are driven by staff who have a passion for their
activities. These include such things as Young Enterprise where in 2014
students won several awards in the national competition. World Challenge
trips take part bi-annually and give students a month long experience in a
country where they are not only immersed in another culture, but gain the
opportunity to give positively to others. This opportunity is for everyone as
students must fundraise over 18 months in order to attend. The Business
Studies trip to New York and London gives students valuable insight into
the world of business.
ACG Senior College’s reputation for its music and performing arts is
widespread. There are a number of active music groups, including a
chamber group, a vocal group, a guitar group, a jazz ensemble as well
as rock and stage bands. There are three major productions each year,
including a play and a musical production. Professional directors and
choreographers bring out the very best student performances.
The third production is a concert featuring many cultures that is
student driven. It is one of the highlights of the year.
The Senior Leadership group, the equivalent of prefects, is
predominant in organising a vast number of activities within the
College. These include Faculty Weeks, peer tutoring, collecting for
many charities, organizing the college ball, TED talks, guest speakers
and much more.
Groups, such as the Model United Nations, Amnesty International,
UNESCO and debating are also available. Students are encouraged to
take part in Duke of Edinburgh.
Archery, athletics, basketball, cricket, mountain biking, netball, soccer,
swimming, table tennis and water polo are some of the many sports
teams available.
ACG Senior College offers a wide range of activities to provide each
student with the opportunity to meet other students, work as part of
a team or develop leadership skills.
The ACG Senior College Cambridge International course of study
Year 11
ACG Senior College offers Cambridge International courses for the
following reasons:
Students take IGCSE English Literature, Mathematics,
plus 3 other option subjects chosen from:
Academic rigour: Cambridge International has a well-earned global
reputation for high quality courses and prestigious, reliable examinations,
set and marked externally. These encourage students to aim for
academic excellence and to become critical thinkers.
Accounting
Business Studies
Art & Design
Chemistry
BiologyHistory
Flexibility: Students tailor courses to suit individual needs and can study
at individual levels. At IGCSE, Core and Extended Levels and beyond
this, AS or A Levels are available. Courses offer a blend of international
and local New Zealand subjects.
International recognition: the status of Cambridge International
qualifications is recognised within NZ and around the world for entry to
tertiary study. Success at A Level is a pathway to top universities.
Cambridge International courses and qualifications available to
students at ACG Senior College:
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
IGCSE is an excellent pre-requisite for A Level and the following
subjects are offered:
Compulsory Subjects - English Literature, English Language,
Mathematics
Core Subjects - Modules and Physical Education
AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Levels are studied over one year, whilst
A (Advanced) Levels are normally studied over a two-year programme,
comprising the AS course followed by the A2 course.
Cambridge International Examinations:
Year 11 Students normally take 6 subjects at IGCSE. These include
three compulsory subjects, English Language, English Literature and
Mathematics, plus three optional subjects usually at IGCSE level,
though many students multi-level when appropriate.
Students are urged to think ahead and advice is available from the
College Careers Counsellor and teachers before subjects are chosen.
IGCSE caters for different levels of ability by offering examinations at
two levels, Core and Extended in many subjects. Most ACG Senior
College students achieve success at Extended level.
Subject Periods/week Subject Periods/week
English
Mathematics Fitness/PE
4
4
1
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
3 or 4
3 or 4
3 or 4
Modules
1
Music
Physics
Spanish
Students who meet entry requirements may also choose certain
AS courses, e.g. AS Mathematics
Year 11 students may be offered to take one AS subject.
All Year 11 students take one period of Modules which comprises:
Health and Fitness; Study Skills; Careers Information and IT.
Years 12 and 13
How the AS and A Level grades are converted to points
This is a two-year programme, with four credits (IGCSE, AS or A2),
in each year. AS results gained in Year 12 count towards the final exit
qualification at the end of Year 13. Many students multi-level.
Universities use the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
(UCAS) points tariff to convert Cambridge grades into points:
Year 12: Typically students choose four subjects at AS Level. Students
may be allowed to study five subjects at AS Level, provided they can
show evidence of excellent academic achievement.
UCAS points tariff
A Level
AS Level
Approximate mark range
GradePointsGradePoints
90 - 100%
A*
140
80-89%
A120A60
70-79%
B100B50
No A* available
at AS Level
Year 13: Students study four subjects and may either continue an AS
subject into an A2 course to gain a full A Level qualification, or they may
wish to end their study of a subject at the end of the AS course and
start a new AS subject.
Over the two-year programme, students may tailor courses to suit
individual needs and can study subjects in breadth with as many as
8 different AS Level subjects, or depth with perhaps 4 subjects at
A Level, or a combination of breadth and depth. For example:
60-69%
C80C40
50-59%
D60D30
40-49%
E40E20
1
Year 12
2
3
4
AS English
AS
AS
LanguageMathematics Painting
AS
History
Year 13AS
AS A2 A2
Psychology Biology PaintingGeography
This programme leads to two A Levels and four AS Levels.
Both the AS grade and the A2 grade contribute to an A Level grade.
A mark of 50% at AS Level earns a grade D. If followed by a mark
of 90% at A2 Level, producing an average of 70%, then a grade B
would be earned at A Level. Certificates are awarded at AS Level
and at A Level. There is no separate A2 qualification.
For more information regarding the Cambridge International
Examinations, please contact Graham Gottard, Deputy Principal,
graham.gottard@acgedu.com or phone 09-307 4474.
The ACG Senior College Cambridge International Course
Subjects available at ACG Senior College in 2014
Years 12 and 13: Students normally take eight credits (an AS or an
A2 course is a credit) over two years, chosen from:
AS
A2
Art and Design Painting
✔
✔
2015 Start dates: Year 11 Camp: Thursday 22nd and
Friday 23rd January
Year 12/13 Tutor
Interviews and
Induction: Friday 23rd January
Academic year
commences: Tuesday 27th January
Art and Design Photography
✔
✔
Art and Design Graphic Design
✔
✔
Art and Design Textiles
✔
✔
Finish date: Friday 4th December
2015 International student tuition fee: NZ$23,460
2015 New Zealand
citizen/permanent resident tuition fee: NZ$18,635
Minimum age: 15 years
A younger student can be taken on merit.
English entry criteria: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
An interview/entry test may be
required for class placement.
Students applying for AS Level and above
may require an entry test, especially for
Mathematics and Science subjects.
Accounting
✔
✔
Biology
✔
✔
Business Studies
✔
✔
Chemistry
✔
✔
Chinese
✔
✔
Classical Studies
✔
✔
Drama
✔
✘
Economics
✔
✔
English Language
✔
✘
French ✔
✔
Geography
✔
✔
Global Perspectives and
Independent Research ✔
✔
(by invitation only)
History
✔
✔
Literature in English
✔
✔
Mathematics
✔ ✔ or Stage 1 University
Music
✔
✔
Physical Education
✔
✔
Physics
✔
✔
Psychology
✔ ✔ or Stage 1 University
Sociology
✔
✔
Spanish
✔
✔
Thinking Skills
✔
✔
Academic entry criteria: Completion of NZ Year 10, overseas
Year 9, or equivalent.
Experience a college
with a difference
Courses run subject to sufficient enrolments.
www.acgedu.com
in the heart of the city
Our Mission Statement:
ACG Senior College
promotes independent critical
thinking that challenges
and enriches the lives of
learners in order to become
responsible caring citizens
who contribute positively to
the global community through
intellectual endeavour, cultural
acceptance and action.
All enquiries and applications to:
The Principal, ACG Senior College
66 Lorne Street, Auckland City
PO Box 5646, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141
Telephone: 09-307 4477. Fax: 09-307 4476
Email: seniorcollege@acgedu.com
www.acgedu.com
Celebrating
ACGSeniorCollege
ACGSeniorCollege
CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP CENTRE
years
19 95 - 2015
As at October 2014, every effort was made to present accurate information in this publication.
ACG Senior College reserves the right to change information without notice where this is considered necessary or desirable.