As you will be aware there is a new curriculum roll out underway nationwide.

In 2026 English and Maths are teaching and assessing according to the new curriculum in Year 9 and 10.   The Ministry of Education has released rubrics and progression descriptors which South Otago is in the process of adapting for reporting on in Maths and English. 

Year 9 and 10 are no longer assessed against levels of the curriculum, but phases. Both Year 9 and 10 are being assessed in phase four. 

To read more about the phases, please visit https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/new-zealand-curriculum/phases-years/5637165576.c

Student progress is now measured against year level descriptors; Emerging, Developing, Consolidating, Proficient and Exceeding. By the end of the year students are expected to meet Proficient for their year level. 

To read more about the progress descriptors, please visit: https://www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/parent-portal/guide-your-childs-reporting-and-progress#progress-descriptors-1 

English has been organised into two strands, Reading - Text Studies; and Writing - Language studies.

To read more about English, please visit: https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc---english-phase-4-years-9-10/5637291578.p 

Maths has been organised into six strands, Number, Algebra, Measurement, Geometry, Statistics, and Probability. 

To read more about mathematics, please visit: https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc---mathematics-and-statistics-phase-4-years-9-10/5637291579.p 

You will begin to see report grades and comments reporting against the new curriculum. If your child was previously tracking as "above average" or "achieving well" under the old system, you might feel a sudden shock if their new report shows them as "Developing" or "Consolidating." Please be reassured: Your child has not lost knowledge, nor have they fallen behind. Here is why the numbers might look different:

The Ministry has changed the measuring tape. Under the old system, curriculum levels were very broad, spanning multiple years. The new system uses strict, year-by-year Progress Markers. It is a much higher, more specific bar. Being marked as "Developing" simply means they are most likely where they should be during the school year as they work toward mastering that year’s strict criteria.

Filling the "Hidden Gaps". Because the old system allowed for a lot of flexibility, a student could excel at creative writing but have hidden gaps in their punctuation or formal essay structure. The new curriculum explicitly tests everything. If the report identifies a gap, it will look like a lower mark than usual—but this is actually good news. It highlights the exact concept your child needs to master, which allows for targeted teaching and learning to take place. 

In the new system, "Proficient" means a student has fully mastered the rigorous national standard for the end of that year level and is completely ready for the next year's challenges. Reaching "Proficient" or "Consolidating" is an excellent achievement

If you would like more information, please visit: https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/reporting-to-parents-and-wh-nau/5637158852.p