Once subject selections have been finalised and the timetable built, making changes becomes much more complex. Any request to change subjects may require:

• Discussion and support from parents/caregivers
• Approval from your subject teacher
• Approval from Head of Department
• Consultation with the Academic Dean
• Be dependent on places available in your preferred class.

Before you submit a change you will need to:

• Explain what has changed and why you are requesting the amendment
• Check the course prerequisites and entry requirements
• Attach supporting evidence where required for example, a document, note or email from the relevant person
• ​No evidence = request will not be progressed.
  

Students are asked to make any requests for a change to their courses by completing this form.

It is important to understand that course selections are not simply an indication of interest. Student choices are used to build our timetable, determine the number of classes required, allocate teaching staff, and plan resources across the school. With continued roll growth and increasing demand for some subjects, changing courses after selections have been finalised is becoming much more difficult. Choosing carefully now gives us the best opportunity to provide students with the courses they have selected. 

Another important change to be aware of is the implementation of the new National Qualification System. Senior courses are designed as full-year programmes, with teaching and assessment spread across the year. Success relies on students engaging from the beginning, rather than joining partway through or changing courses later in the year. As a result, changing courses will mean students miss important learning and assessment opportunities.

When selecting courses, we encourage students to:

• Consider their interests, strengths, and future aspirations.
• Read the course information carefully, some will have pre requisites 
• Explore the information available on SchoolBridge and the Rutherford Study website.
• Attend the PSST Evening with their whānau.
• Talk with their Tutor Teacher, Classroom Teachers, Careers team, or Academic Deans.
• Discuss their choices at home before submitting them.

The more care we take now, the more likely your child will be in the right course from Day One, ready to make the most of the learning opportunities and assessment programme throughout the year. As course selections are used to create our timetable and determine staffing well before the end of the year, changes after this process has begun are often very difficult to accommodate. 

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's future. We look forward to working with you throughout the course selection process to ensure every student is well placed for a successful 2027.

Use the resources below to help you plan your subject choices for 2027 and beyond.