Students in Catholic schools above average in NCEA, UE

According to NZQA data for student achievement for 2025, Catholic state integrated schools on average achieved at levels that were 17 per cent above the national average for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.

And average Catholic state integrated school achievement levels were 20 per cent above the national average for University Entrance.

Despite the challenges that schools are experiencing, it is pleasing to see that the achievement outcomes for students and the pastoral outcomes continue to be impressive, said Dr Kevin Shore, chief executive of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office.

“This is one very positive indicator of the health of our schools showing our students continue to thrive and be successful in their studies despite the current noise and significant increase in workload associated with education reform in New Zealand,” Dr Shore said.

Among reforms being navigated by schools are changes to the Teaching Council, a major review of the curriculum at every level and the recent announcement by the Government of the removal of NCEA and it being replaced with a new qualification at year 12 and year 13.

“It is a complex environment in which to be a leader in our schools. Invariably, principals are playing a vital role in supporting school boards and teaching staff to manage this multi-faceted change agenda in a deliberate, strategic and considered manner,” Dr Shore said.

He expressed gratitude for “the work of our teaching staff and, importantly,  the good work of our school principals and other leaders”.

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