Staff to contact: T Nelson (Curriculum Leader)

The aim of school Geography is to develop an understanding of the environment as a home for people. Modern Geography is not simply learning about countries or groups of people, it is a discipline in which the qualities and needs of the natural environment are studied in relation to the economic and social needs of the people. Studying Geography will provide a good general knowledge of the world as well as skills which are useful for many career pathways.

Year 11 Environmental Geography NCEA Level 1

The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of our environment - how we affect it and how it can affect us. This course will include an opportunity for students to gain credits to meet the Literacy and Numeracy requirements of NCEA Level 1. This course will focus on the environment and issues around its use and will suit students who are interested in environmental and earth sciences. Future focussed themes of sustainability and globalisation are key components of the course. This course will enable students to continue with studies of both Geography and Education for Sustainability at NCEA Levels 2 and 3. This course has recommended credits available in the Creative Industries, Primary Industries, Service Industries, Social and Community Services and the Construction and Infrastructure Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: None

Recoveries: Geography Skills Workbook ($25.00)

Year 12 Geography NCEA Level 2

Year 12 Geography continues the study of the inter-relationships of the natural and human environment. Major themes of study are landscape contrasts (the natural environment, use of resources and environmental issues), and urban growth (the reasons towns and cities grow and the problems they face). In-depth study of geographic issues, a global study and research skills are also important components of the course. This course has recommended credits available in the Creative Industries, Primary Industries, Service Industries, Social and Community Services and the Construction and Infrastructure Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 1 expected in Social Sciences or Geography including Level 1 Literacy or with approval from the Curriculum Leader, Social Sciences

Recoveries: One field Trip ($40 approx), Geography Skills workbook ($25.00)

Year 13 Geography NCEA Level 3

The Year 13 course completes a cycle of studies of the relationship between man and the environment. The main topics studied are the natural environment and a selection of geographic skills and their application in selected contexts. 14 of the course credits are internally assessed, and include studies of the role of planning and decision-making in geography related to an event such as the Whitianga Scallop Festival, geographic research, geographic issues and global studies. This course has recommended credits available in the Creative Industries, Primary Industries, Service Industries, Social and Community Services and the Construction and Infrastructure Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: Level 2 Geography expected or at least 8 credits in Level 2 English or with approval from the Curriculum Leader, Social Sciences.

Recoveries: One field trip ($50.00 approx), Geography Skills Workbook ($25.00)

Staff to contact: M Collins

History examines the past to understand the present. History fires students’ curiosity and imagination. It invites them to ask, and helps them answer, today’s questions by engaging with the past and speculating on possible futures.

History presents students with the dilemmas, choices and beliefs of people in the past.

Because History is a research-led discipline, it inspires students to become confident, questioning and empathetic individuals. They learn to ask and answer important questions, evaluate evidence, identify and analyse different interpretations of the past and to substantiate the arguments they make.

History prepares students for the future by equipping them with knowledge and skills that are valuable and useful throughout life.

Year 11 History NCEA Level 1

This course aims to introduce students to the basics of History - investigation, perspectives and causes/consequences. It will include an opportunity for students to gain credits to meet the Literacy requirements of NCEA Level 1.

Topics include:

• Black Civil Rights in the USA
• Infamous New Zealand Crimes (Parihaka, the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and Famous New Zealand Murders and Disappearances)

Prerequisite: None

Year 12 History NCEA Level 2

Level 2 History is concerned with the values of people in the past and how they have been reflected in the actions of individuals and groups. In consequence, it encourages reflection in the student's own values.

Topics include:

• Nazi Germany
• Genocide (Cambodia and Rwanda)

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 1 History or Social Sciences expected. Level 1 Literacy or with approval from the Curriculum Leader of Social Sciences.

Year 13 History NCEA Level 3

The Level 3 course is designed to recognise the growing maturity of students, and requires them to explore issues with more historical insight that at earlier levels. They will deal with more demanding historical problems and be expected to develop more extended, informed and convincing arguments.

Topics may include:

• History through film
• The Vietnam War

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 2 History expected. NCEA Level 2 or with approval from the Curriculum Leader of Social Sciences.

Staff to contact: T Nelson (Curriculum Leader)

At Year 11, Business and Enterprise Studies is offered as an option subject and combines relevant components of both Economics and Business Studies into one course. At Year 12 and Year 13, Economics and Business Studies are options selected by students. A good knowledge of Economics and Business Studies will help students better understand and cope with life, work, money, law, business and politics. It will also help with further studies and is an area of expertise that leads to many interesting and well paid jobs in education, banking, insurance, law, commerce, management, marketing and self employment.

Year 11 Business and Enterprise Studies NCEA Level 1

This course aims to introduce the students to the basics of Business Studies and Economics.

Topics include:

• Internal and external influences on small businesses
• A product-based business activity (Market Day and more!)
• Marketing products and the marketing mix.

This course will include an opportunity for students to gain credits to meet the Literacy requirements of NCEA Level 1. As well as recommended credits available in the Primary Industries and Service Industries Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: Nil

Year 12 Business Studies NCEA Level 2

This course will continue the study of business in NZ and enable students to complete the Busines Studies course at NCEA Level 3. Topics include:

Internal operation of a large business

• External factors and their influences on large businesses
• Conducting market research
• A community based business activity (Market Day and more!)

As well as recommended credits available in the Primary Industries and Service Industries Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: Preferably Business and Enterprise Studies at Level 1

Recoveries: $50.00 approx (Field trips)

Year 13 Business Studies NCEA Level 3

This course develops a global focus on business and examines the internal and external operations of a global business as well as human resource issues, conducting market research and developing and running a sustainable business.

Topics include:

• Internal and external factors for a global business.

• Complex and critical business problems.

• Human resource issues.

• Marketing and conducting an innovative and sustainable business activity.

This course has recommended credits available in the Manufacturing and Technology, Primary Industries and Service Industries Vocational Pathways.

Prerequisite: Level 2 Business Studies or with approval from the Curriculum Leader: Social Sciences.

Recoveries: $30.00 (Work book)

Year 12 Economics NCEA Level 2

The course aims to introduce students to the main issues that affect an economy at the national level. Topics covered are inflation, economic growth, international trade and government policies for each issue.

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 1, including 10 Mathematics and 8 English or with approval from the Curriculum Leader: Social Sciences.

Recoveries: $30.00 (Work book)

Year 13 Economics NCEA Level 3

The course aims to introduce students to micro and macro Economics in preparation for tertiary study. Topics covered include the analysis and understanding of: consumers, markets and business, as well as the role and significance of government policy, money markets, trade and the national economy. This course offers up to 24 credits over 5 Achievement Standards, 2 internal and 3 external.

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 2, along with a sound mathematical knowledge or with approval from the Curriculum Leader: Social Sciences.

Recoveries: $40.00 (Study Guides and work books)

Years 12 - 13 Tourism NCEA Levels 2 & 3

This course is a two-year course designed to enable senior students to begin working towards the MBAS Certificate in Tourism and Travel. Students work independently by completing topic-related workbooks followed by an internally assessed task. In 2018 it is hoped that this course will be offered as an online subject.

Students will be internally assessed by unit standards from Levels 2 and 3 of the Qualifications framework. Over a two-year cycle sufficient credits will be offered to gain the MBAS Qualification. Both of these courses offer sufficient credits to meet the Sector Related requirements for the Service Industries Vocational Pathway Award.

Standards offered cover:

• Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand as tourist destinations

• The history of world tourism

• The tourist industry

• Regional tourism in New Zealand

• World travel geography

• The social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism.

Prerequisite: NCEA Level 1 including both Literacy and Numeracy requirements

Recoveries: Student work books $75.00 New Zealand resident, $150.00 Non-resident

Years 12 - 13 Environmental Studies/ Education and Sustainability NCEA Levels 2 & 3

Environmental Studies is a course made up of achievement standards from Education for Sustainability, Geography and Earth and Space Sciences involving predominantly internally assessed standards at NCEA Level 2. The emphasis for this course is on investigating ideas, values and actions that will contribute towards a sustainable future. The final scope and nature of this course will ultimately be determined by the interests of the students opting to undertake.

This course will enable students to develop an understanding of issues around sustainability in order to engage constructively with the challenges of this future-focused theme using contexts of their own choice.

This course has recommended credits available for the Primary Industries Vocational Pathways.