James McKaskill

James McKaskill is one of a number of students the New Zealand Qualifications Authority is profiling to show how NCEA is working for secondary school students around the country.

James is a 15-year-old, Year 13 student at Christ's College in Christchurch. He is aiming for the moon - literally - and wants to work on communications projects in space.

At Christ's College he does the core curriculum subjects that will lead him into a career in electrical engineering and science, but he has also been able to pursue a National Certificate in Electronics Technology through Christchurch Polytechnic, and Spanish through the Correspondence School. Credits from all of these count towards James' NCEA.

What I'm studying

When I came to New Zealand from the USA two-and-a-half years ago I started school towards the end of Year 10, and joined the first year of NCEA qualifications in Year 11. I sat NCEA level 1 English, German, Spanish, biology, chemistry, physics, and Bursaries maths with statistics.

In Year 12, I continued with the same NCEA subjects at level 2, except for physics, which I took at a Bursaries and Scholarship level along with maths with calculus. I also completed Star Mathematics at the University of Canterbury, which is a stage 1 maths course. I completed NCEA level 1 and 2 Spanish through the Correspondence School as the subject was not taught at my school.

This year (Year 13) I am studying English, German, biology, chemistry, electronics and Star Computer Science. I will also sit level 4 German, biology, chemistry, physics, maths with calculus and maths with statistics. I am also doing the National Certificate in Electronics Technology (level 3) in conjunction with the Christchurch Polytechnic.

This year I was also a member of the New Zealand International Mathematical Olympiad team competing in Athens in July.

What next?

Next year I plan to start a joint electrical engineering and science degree in physics and maths at the University of Canterbury. I ultimately would like to be involved in the design and implementation of communication technology in space and possibly research projects in outer space. This area would allow me to advance my interests in engineering, physics and mathematics.

What I love to study and what I don't

My favourite subject at school is pure mathematics, which I seem to have an aptitude for. My least favourite subject is English, because I have to work harder at it. I realise that it is important to be able to communicate effectively so I have continued with English to level 3.

How I prepare for internal and external assessment

I prepare for an internal assessment by revising the night before, but I try to make sure that I am up-to-date with homework and assignments, and that I pay attention in class. For external exams I start revising a couple of weeks beforehand. I prefer external exams, as they are over quickly and they don't make me nervous so I usually do OK.

When I'm not studying

I'm into computers, electronics and reading. For outdoors, I enjoy tramping, biking, sailing and playing tennis.

Last updated: 31 August 2004