Curriculum
Achieving Academic Success
Students of Palmerston North Girls’ High School are expected to be supportive of each other in achieving their educational goals.  
Students have the responsibility for ensuring their own and other’s education can progress.
Set educational goals.
Come to class with paper, pens and any other necessary equipment. 
Arrive at school and in class on time. 
Attend class to learn.
Work consistently in class. 
Plan time so that deadlines can be met. 
Treat others with respect.
Show respect towards students, staff and visitors. 
Make the most of the educational opportunities offered by the school in and out of the classroom.
Protect the school environment as a healthy and safe place.
Keep classrooms and grounds clean, tidy and free from vandalism.
Never bring cigarettes, drugs or alcohol to school. 
Protect the good name of the school.
Always act in a manner which brings credit to yourself and to Palmerston North Girls’ High School.
Wear the school uniform correctly in and out of school.
 
Curriculum

All students study in the eight essential learning areas described in the New Zealand Curriculum, including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Technology and Languages.

Over the last three of these learning areas, Year 9 and 10 students select from a range of option subjects.

Year 9
Students select four half-year option subjects:
• One from the Arts
• One from the Languages
• One from Technology
• A fourth option from any of the three learning areas listed above.

Year 10
Students select any two of the full year option subjects listed for Year 10 under the arts, technology, languages and commerce.

Year 11
Students study an English, a Mathematics, a Science, and three option subjects. Subject descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the curriculum handbook. Students who have not met the prerequisites must apply to the Head of Department.
Students intending to enrol at university, or students who are not yet certain of their future, are advised to choose option subjects that lead to the university approved list in Year 13.

Year 12
Students study an English, and five option subjects. Subject descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the curriculum handbook. Students who have not met the prerequisites must apply to the Head of Department.
All students study six subjects. In advising subject choices, consideration needs to be given to the nature of the subjects selected, the student’s demonstrated ability to meet the prerequisites in her chosen subjects, the student’s application to work over the past school year, and the student’s need to work towards subjects in Year 13 that are approved by the universities and can be considered for university entrance.

Year 13
Students choose any five subjects. Subject descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the curriculum handbook. Students who have not met the prerequisites must apply to the Head of Department.
For general entrance to university, applicants need at least 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher, including at least 14 credits in each of two subjects from the university approved list, and at least 14 credits across any two other subjects. This is a minimum and for entrance to many specialist courses, the required entry is much higher than this.

Refer to the curriculum handbook for further details.