Social Sciences @ Pt England School
"The social sciences learning area is about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. Contexts are drawn from the past, present, and future and from places within and beyond New Zealand."
NZ Curriculum
By the end of Year 8 our students will be developing an understanding of
the ways in which leadership of groups is acquired and exercised have consequences for communities and societies.
how people pass on and sustain culture and heritage for different reasons and that this has consequences for people.
how exploration and innovation create opportunities and challenges for people, places, and environments.
that events have causes and effects.
how producers and consumers exercise their rights and meet their responsibilities.
how formal and informal groups make decisions that impact on communities.
how people participate individually and collectively in response to community challenges.
Every new year starts with a Social Science Inquiry especially designed to meet the specific needs and be relevant for our learners. It is called 'The Pt England Way' and it focuses on setting the scene for the rest of the year through Values, Key Competencies, Tikanga Māori and getting to know each other better and has proved to be a very successful initiative. It is an integrated Inquiry with English, Maori, Art and our Cybersmart Curriculum woven into the plan as appropriate. Over the 8 years children attend Pt England School, a thorough and balanced coverage of the Social Science Curriculum occurs. Authentic contexts are used, utilising the local community, school/local and major events.
Many Pt England students have English as a second language so there is a strong emphasis on developing and using appropriate vocabulary along with the content knowledge. This is essential in order to promote understanding. Social Science studies provide many opportunities to acknowledge the Tangata Whenua and celebrate our diverse community drawing on the whanau and local community members to enrich the study with their support and contribution.