The College offers a broad and co-ordinated curriculum from Years 7 to 13.

At Year 7, a wide range of subjects according to the NZ Curriculum are taught.  At this level students are taught in a home room situation for most core subjects and are taught by specialist teachers in the areas of Technology, Te Reo Māori, Japanese, Digital Technology, Visual Art, Financial Literacy and Music.

At Years 8 to 10, students are taught by subject specialist teachers and have the opportunity to choose specialist options. These form the foundation for options in the senior school. 

At Years 9 and 10, students are given the opportunity to attain their numeracy and literacy credits at Level 1 NCEA. As well, some students will be given the opportunity to begin the external qualifications in number of other subjects. The number of internal and external assessments offered to students depends upon the ability of the individual student. 

At Year 11 we have implemented a rigorous learning programme, Liston Level 1 to prepare students for NCEA. Students choose subjects that follow through into NCEA. The programme is designed by our Heads of Department to better prepare students for assessments at Level 2 and 3. Years 12 and 13 students follow the NCEA Qualifications pathways. Click here to find out more.  At these levels, option subject choices are broad and opportunities for multi-level study exists. At each year level, students study a number of compulsory and optional subjects.

At Level 1, students are encouraged to take a broad and balanced course and then to further refine their interests and strengths as they move through into Level 2 and 3 NCEA. 

Gifted and talented students are catered for through Individual Learning Plans or (ILPs) administered by a dedicated advisor. In consultation with parents, internal and external mentors and providers and an ILP is set up to nurture the gifts and talents of Liston boys. At the College there are also opportunities for students to study a wider curriculum, a curriculum at a higher level, as well associated co-curricular activities, often personalised to suit a student’s individual needs.

Liston College offers learning support for students who are requiring extra help, particularly in the areas of literacy and numeracy. Students who have a specific learning need can also be catered for in most circumstances through our Learning Support Coordinators, Ms Gemma McQuaid Years 7-9, Stephanie Dalton Years 10-13