The school, with its long tradition of academic focus and success and with its well qualified specialist teaching staff, provides a supportive environment in which scholastically able students can flourish. We seek to enrich, enhance and extend their talents.
All English and some Science students have the opportunity to enter the International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) English Comprehension and Writing and Science Competitions. Some Mathematics classes enter the Australian Mathematics Competition and the National Bank Mathematics Competition.
Year 11 Science students may be selected to take part in the University of Canterbury Mentoring programme.
Science students may enter the Science Fair or apply to attend the Hands on Science Otago University Summer School.
Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 Latin students may be invited to sit the National Latin Examination which is an American competitive examination with 120,000 candidates internationally.
An extension Latin course is available to Year 12 and 13 students who have reached a high standard in Level 1 NCEA Latin. This course combines Level 2 and 3 Achievement Standards and Scholarship.
Commerce students participate in the Young Enterprise Scheme, the Enterprise Studies Programme, the Stockmarket Challenge, the Australian Economics Competition, University of Canterbury Economics and Accounting Challenge and Monetary Policy Challenge.
Senior History students may be invited to submit their research work to local and national competitions.
Music offers opportunities for students of all levels to participate in groups and perform as soloists. The school takes part in the Adams Foundation music competition, the Choral Festival and the Orchestra Festival and Concert Band Festival. Students have entered composition competitions such as the Todd Corporation awards. It is structured in such a way that gifted students can be extended, particularly in performance and composition.
Language students take part in the Australian Language Competition. There are regional speech competitions for Chinese, French and Māori students, and a drama competition for German students. Students are encouraged to join local associations such as the Alliance Française. Entering for scholarships such as the European Journalist and the Noel Stokes-Yevres (France) is also encouraged.
Students who enjoy writing are encouraged to join the Writers’ Group and to enter a wide range of writing competitions which are advertised in the daily notices. Students are also encouraged to write for the school magazine.
The Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics Olympiads and the Physics Club all provide further opportunities for students to be challenged in their learning.
The Correspondence School can be used to extend students who are recommended by the Principal as being well motivated enough to cope with distance education.
Year 13 students may be extended through Stage I STAR courses at university in a variety of courses, some of which are: Art History, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Geography, History, Human Services, Māori, Mass Communication, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science and Social Work.
In Year 13, students may be invited to enter scholarship examinations. These examinations are designed to recognise and reward the best and brightest students, as they require high levels of analytical skills and critical thinking.
Some Year 9 and 10 Mathematics students have the opportunity to be part of an extension programme
