News
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Preparing your device for ICAS
If your child is sitting ICAS with us at one of our testing locations in Auckland or Christchurch, you will need to make sure your child has a suitable device to use. Here are some key tips: If you have completed these tips, your child will have a much more successful experience with ICAS! Any… Continue reading
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September school holiday program
For the upcoming school holidays, Focus Education is running our new and improved holiday program. Find out more below! Dates and Times Week 1: Monday 22nd to Friday 26th September; Week 2: Monday 29th September to Friday 3rd October Each day runs from 9am to 3:45pm Costs To register for the holiday program, or if… Continue reading
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What’s next after ICAS results?
Results for ICAS 2025 have started to become available. At the time of writing, Digital Technologies, English, Science, Spelling Bee and Maths results are now out, with Writing due soon. All students receive an in-depth report of their performance across major subject criteria, as well as a certificate of participation. Students who achieved high marks… Continue reading
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NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Standards
For high school students studying the NCEA curriculum, the literacy and numeracy standards are a requirement to achieve NCEA qualifications. But what are they, and how can your child best prepare for success? The CAA assessments The Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) are the external tests that students sit to pass the literacy and numeracy standards.… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: Maths
In our last post on preparing for ICAS 2025, we look at how to prepare for the Maths paper. Maths is available for NZ students in years 3 to 13, with sitting dates between 24 to 29 August. What’s involved in the assessment? Maths focuses on a student’s ability to apply mathematical skills to solve… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: Spelling Bee
In our seventh post on ICAS 2025, we look at how to prepare for the Spelling Bee paper. Spelling Bee is available for NZ students in years 3 to 8, with sitting dates between 17 to 22 August. What’s involved in the assessment? The Spelling Bee assessment looks at a student’s ability to recognise and… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: Science
In our sixth post on ICAS 2025, we look at how to prepare for the Science paper. Science is available for NZ students in years 3-13, with sitting dates between 17 and 22 August. What’s involved in the assessment? The Science assessment looks at a student’s ability to apply scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry skills… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: English
In our fifth post on ICAS 2025, we look at how to prepare for the English paper. English is available for NZ students in year 3 to 13, with sitting dates between 10 to 15 August. What’s involved in the assessment? The English assessment is the second of three English-related papers (the two others are… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: Writing
In our fourth post on ICAS 2025, we look at how to prepare for the Writing paper. ICAS Writing is available for year 4 to year 13 and sitting dates are between 3 and 8 August. What’s involved in the assessment? In ICAS Writing, students are given a prompt to write either a narrative or… Continue reading
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ICAS Prep: Locked-down browser
In our third post on ICAS 2025, we look at Janison Replay, the locked-down browser crucial for the Writing and Spelling Bee papers. What is Janison Replay? Janison Replay is a locked-down browser app which you can download for Windows, Mac and iOS devices. Janison Replay is designed so that students can sit their ICAS… Continue reading