AS Examinations Begin

Chemistry teacher Graham Billing has been working with colleagues and students over the recent study break to prepare for the approaching Cambridge examinations.  He describes what this involved in the following interview:

 How long have you been teaching Cambridge Chemistry?

Five years.  It appealed to me because of the broad scope of the course.  The subject matter has application in the real world.

 How does the Cambridge work fit in with the NCEA programmes?

We combine our NCEA and Cambridge courses: for example, in Year 12, we have just finished teaching a topic which combines a Level 2 Achievement Standard, a Level 3 Achievement Standard and Cambridge Physical Chemistry, all at the same time. We complete the Inorganic and Organic Chemistry in Term 1 of Year 13.

 I understand you have been helping the students over the holidays.

Over the break the boys had the opportunity to sit two theory and two practical practice examinations. This involved five days’ work each for both myself and Mrs Basi with six additional days of technician support. There are a lot of materials to get ready for the laboratory examinations as well as big clean-ups. The boys also helped set out and put away glassware. Each week it required two laboratories and two sessions to accommodate all the students. In the second week we also spent three hours reviewing the first week’s examinations. Because it’s a crowded course it would be difficult to schedule these practice examinations towards the end of Term One. It takes till the end of term one to complete the Cambridge course notes. 

 What happens this term?

We have 36 boys sitting Cambridge AS Chemistry this year.  The examinations begin shortly – a multi-choice examination next Thursday, a practical examination the following day and then a long answer exam two weeks later.

 What do you consider to have been your greatest recent achievement?

Seven students achieved scholarships one year.  Last year Cameron Wells achieved 100% for Cambridge AS Chemistry. Co-teaching the top New Zealand IGCSE Science student the last two years running has been another highlight.