Social Sciences

What is happening?

The Social Studies Curriculum is meeting the needs of our students because they are enthusiastic and engaged in the programme and have shared their learning in a variety of ways with others.

The social sciences learning area is about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens.

Why is this happening?

Because the teachers are being innovative and creating topics and units of work that the students are engaging in, understanding and sharing.

What does this mean?

This means teachers know their students, their interests and abilities and plan units of work and topics that hook them and engage them in the learning, to produce creative work displayed in a variety of ways.

Next steps

Continue to know your students and engage them in authentic learning experiences that interests them.

Junior Syndicate

Eden and Bethlehem

Through exploration of local communities, family histories, and cultures, children learn about belonging, fairness, and how to actively participate as responsible citizens.

We are so lucky to have such a diverse group of learners at our school. This year we have been learning about journeys. We have learned about historical stories of immigration and our our own journey to Greymouth - we learned that lots of our classmates were born here but also lots of us were born in different places all around the world!

So far this year we have also had the Safe Walking and Firewise programmes - such a great connect with our community.

For, Social Sciences Samaria have been learning to understand their place within their community and the wider world. Through authentic, real life experiences, the students explored how people participate in communities, make choices, and respond to challenges.

Programmes this year have included learning about ‘Safe Walking Practices’ with the New Zealand Police, as well as a health-focused presentation with Vas-Magic promoting positive lifestyle choices. Samaria have also begun exploring the concept of journeys and developing an understanding of the people and roles within their local community.

In Term 2, learning has included exploring the significance of ANZAC Day, developing awareness of fire safety through “Get Fire Wise,” and participating in First Aid training with St John New Zealand. The term concludes with a Kiwiana cultural week, celebrating New Zealand’s identity, heritage, and shared experiences.

Nazareth

Nazareth has been learning about safety through the Safe Walk programme with the New Zealand Police. Students learned how to cross the road safely by stopping, looking carefully in all directions, and making safe choices near roads. They also learned about staying safe in the car and following important road signs.

The students were very excited when the fire truck came to visit our school. They had the opportunity to climb inside the truck and explore all the equipment. They also learned important fire safety rules, including how to “Get Out and Stay Out” during a fire emergency.

Through our Social Studies learning, students have gained many valuable life lessons about staying safe and making good decisions in everyday situations.

Zion

We have been exploring our place in the world through a range of Social Science learning activities. Students in Zion really enjoyed exploring the West Coast Recollect site in Term One. They found old photos of the places that they currently live in and were especially interested to see old photos of St Patrick's School on the site. We will explore this further in the second half of the year.

Another area of exploration has been conservation. We learned about pests who endanger our native birds and how to reduce the damage they do. We have two community groups coming in to do more work on this area in June.

We have learned to ride our bikes safely with the Police Safe Cycling programme and we have had a wonderful time celebrating our special school identity on St Patrick's Day.

Senior Syndicate

Galilee

In Terms 1 and 2, Galilee has been focussing on History where they investigated significant natural disasters, and early New Zealand Trade. We also dived deeper into the theme of Civics and Society, focussing on the importance of the purpose of laws and values. We made our own class treaty to help guide our actions and choices. In the upcoming terms, we will explore the themes of Geography and Economic activity. Ultimately, students deepen their understanding of active civic participation and how human decisions shape communities in past and present.

Galilee researched about Mt Tarawera in groups.

New Zealand History Maori life after Mt Tarawera eruption.

Galilee learning about the history of New Zealand.

Case Study- Westcoast Flood- 2022

Galilee doing a Case Study on West Coast Flood-2022.

Students in Galilee creating, displaying, and living by their own class rules.

Cana

In Cana we have enjoyed studying the importance of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day here in New Zealand through a range of learning activities. Our ANZAC Day activities gave everyone an opportunity to understand the values and past generations that have shaped our national identity. At the same time, hearing stories of resilience and sacrifice to foster a sense of empathy and gratitude.

In Term 1 Year 6 learners in Cana had a lot of fun going to Westport for camp. We got to explore Denniston, the seals out at Tauranga Bay, swimming both nights, Paparoa Experience, The Brunner Mine Site and eat the leftover ice-cream for breakfast!

All About Me

Capernaum and Jerusalem.

Our beginning of the year topic was all about getting to know each other and to find our place not only in the world but in our class and school. During this topic the children completed different tasks that were all about them. We also studied Waitangi Day and Anzac Day and the importance of these days for New Zealand.

Waitangi Day Word Wall Challenge

Capernaum and Jerusalem's Camp 2026

This year Jerusalem and Capernaum had the wonderful opportunity to head to Living Springs for their camp. The children were challenged with team building activities and were pushed out of their comfort zones in completing tasks that made them test their limits. Activities included mountain boarding, tree climbing, archery tag, air rifles, adventure stream, cart building and who can forget a trip to Ninja Valley! It was a calculated decision to attend camp in Week 2 of Term 1 to get to know each other and build relationships with one another.

SS copy of Anzac Day Digital WebQuest

ANZAC Day is always a great learning topic. For the senior students we focus on why it is important to remember the ANZAC's and deep dive into the lives and conditions that the soldiers had to face. During the ANZAC week topic, we also integrated some maths activities as well as responding to reading articles and school journal stories based on ANZAC Day.

The Chernobyl Disaster

An example of one of our termly topics - Natural V Man Made Disasters and the effect these had on society.

2024-2025

Junior Syndicate

Eden and Bethlehem

So far this year we have been learning about Social Organisation, Place and Environment. We shared photos of our families at home and learned about our "school family" creating a giant map of our school with all the important people and places on it. We are currently learning that New Zealand - Aotearoa is the country we live in and Greymouth - Mawhera is our town. Lot's of interesting discussions and learning through looking at maps and identifying places that are important to us.

Samaria

We have been learning about our Sense of Place in Mawhera - Greymouth "Call to Family, Community and Participation" the children have shared a photo of their special place in Greymouth. This has brought our families into school for discussions to share their photo or they have shared this through seesaw. The children made an amazing collage.

Zion

Zion students enjoyed a special show and tell recently, bringing in their baby photos to share with the class. They talked about their baby days and how much they've grown!

Nazareth

In Nazareth we had Liam's mum come in and talk to us about recieving a medal for rowing. While we were learning about the Olympics. We have also celebrated cultural days and celebrating St Patrick's day!

Celebrating Cultural weeks

Pasifika Week

Celebrating Cultural weeks

Maori week

Celebrating Saint Patrick's day!

St Patrick's day

Jelly eating YUM

Making masks

Senior Syndicate

This year the Year 7/8 Classes went to Teapot Valley for camp. This camp was well run, with the children experiencing many activities including, zip lining, archery, go karts, crate stacking with harnesses and ropes, disc golf, rock climbing and water activities. It was a great way for the classes to bond and get to know each other.

The Waterslide

The Comet at the Buller Swingbridge

Ziplining

Crate Stacking with Harnesses

Go Karts

Archery

In Term One Jeruslaem and Capernaum have been looking at a Sense of Place and Looking Back to Look Forward. They looked at Greymouth in the past and really enjoyed looking at the old photos of what town used to look like. They looked at the early settlers and why they came to Greymouth and how that shaped the future.

Looking Back to Look Forward Overview/Unit Plan

Sir George Grey

Greymouth Street Names

Early Māori Settlers in Māwhera

Greymouth Brochure

Cana/Galilee Arthurs Pass Camp 2025

Cana and Galilee went to Arthurs Pass camp to explore learning beyond the books and we had a fabulous time.

Most of the activities required our kids to focus on teamwork, building effective communication skills and trusting their teammates. Some of the activities were: Sensory Trail - where learners have to find their way along a rope maze through the bush while blindfolded.

Learning to cross a river safely, by looking at the river dynamics and assessing a safe crossing site.

Shelter Building - this was a favourite amongst adults and kids! The shelters had to be built of natural resources.

Shelter building

Team Bonding games.

The team in front of Devils Punchbowl waterfall.

River crossing

Sensory Trail

Train ride back home.

Cana

During Term 1 Cana focused on 'Our sense of place - Mawhera'

We began by looking at our school and a brief history of St Patricks. We looked back at photos of our school site over time to the present.

We then focused on Mawhera by looking at some different street names (why are they important) and what we believe makes Mawhera special. Cana learners created advertisements for display.

Galilee making Sri Lankan lantern while exploring other cultures.

Sri Lankan art

Matariki strengthens social cohesion.

Galilee learning, researching and presenting about Sea Week.

Exploring how mother language shapes social identity and group belonging.

Capernaum's Passion Projects

Passion Project Exhibition by Jerusalem

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Senior students learning social skills through Mission Market.

Jerusalem learned about gender equality and women empowerment by making a mural.

Cooking club explores food from different cultures.

2023-2024

Junior Syndicate

Early Settlers Topic Focus

Eden and Bethlehem have been learning about the first people living in New Zealand. We learned about the Māori voyages to New Zealand and the Māori place names for Greymouth - Mawhera and New Zealand - Aotearoa. We learned about the colonials voyaging to New Zealand on big ships. We made comparisons between our lives and the lives of the early settlers by learning about their houses, clothing, kids' games and food. To top off the learning surrounding the food we made butter from cream to explore the difficulty people faced to make simple things that come a lot easier to us now. Students had a super time and thoroughly enjoyed making and eating all the butter!

In Nazareth we have been learning about ANZAC day. The children made some beautiful art for ANZAC day. We made medals to wear for the Dawn parade and we made ANZAC biscuits.

ANZAC Art

ANZAC Medals

ANZAC biscuits

In Term 2 the junior school went to Shantytown to learn more about the Early settlers of New Zealand, we learned how to make a shelter and a stretcher and packs, we learned how to cross a river safely and we saw the old ways of travel. We then made damper and butter as well. It was an action packed and fun day for all involved!

Senior Syndicate

Y5&6 Camp in Westport

WESTPORT 2024 - Galilee & Cana

40 learners enjoyed a fabulous 3 night camp in Westport earlier this year. Highlights included visits to Denniston, Cape Foulwind and the seal colony at Tauranga Bay, Punakaiki and Charleston. The focus was on local history through coal and gold mining plus conservation. The group was well supported by a group of parents and three staff members. Staying in Westport as the base for the trip saw a number of excursions around the town including the revised Coal town exhibition, where the group were recognised as being the first school party to explore the facility.

Galilee

To consolidate our learning around ANZAC, students made art works with an animal theme. We, looked at the story of Torty and other animals involved during the war.

In term 1, we looked at the Early Settlers that came to New Zealand and dramatised the first encounter they had with the Maori People.

Y7&8 Camp in Living Springs

Living Springs Camp 2024

The senior school started the year by heading to Living Springs Camp in Christchurch. It was a great way for the class to build relationships with each other and to get to know those students who were new to their class. The children were pushed out of their comfort zones and particiapted in activities such as archery tag, mountain boarding, abseiling, air rifle shooting, archery and team building exercises. Going away on camp solidifies the class culture and the treaty's that have been made with the students, plus it's a fun way to get to know each other!

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GOLD!

In term one, Jerusalem started the year with an integrated topic on gold and early settlers to the West Coast. Part of the integrated programme saw the class pan for real gold. They learnt about the properties of gold, the value of it, why it is so important and what it can be used for. They then had the opportunity to choose what they wanted to learn about and could choose how they presented their work. Some chose to use Google Slides, whilst others chose to make models of their learning.

As part of their new topic on extraorindary woman, Jerusalem decided to run a food donation project to collect food for the Women's Refuge. Trish from Women's Refuge came and spoke to the class about the services that Women's Refuge offer and was extremely grateful to receive the donations from Jerusalem.

Senior Syndicate Learning

Social Science is integrated in our classrooms through literacy and numeracy learning opportunities and within schoolwide themes and events.

Anzac

Germinating and observing seeds to celebrate and learn about Tupuārangi and Tupuānuku.

Students representation of Mātariki in our sky, including the recent Aurora Australis.

Matariki

Diwali

Whole school

In 2023 we had a couple of special visitors come to our school. We had a visit from the Kea trust and we also had a visit from the Penguin trust where we learned about how humans have impacted the lives of these special animals in New Zealand and we also learned about what we could do to help protect them. The children love it when visitors come to St Patrick's school.

St Johns First Aid Training

Juniors learning about when to call 111 and what to say when on the emergency call, learning how to put someone in the recovery position and how to bandage a cut.

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Roisin is being the patient for the recovery positon.

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Adamson is demonstrating the recovery position.

Lila and Eli practicing the recovery postion.

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Matthew being an excellent patient for the class as we learn how to bandage a cut. 'Pack it, wrap it, raise it.'

Meelah and Willa learning how to 'pack it and wrap it.'

Aeshana and Adamson have mastered how to 'raise it.'

Senior students completed the 'First Responders' unit with the following learning outcomes:

Year 5/6

Demonstrate the assessment of patients using DRSABC and take appropriate actions

Describe appropriate responses to a variety of situations requiring first aid

Year 7/8

Demonstrate the assessment of a patient using DRSABC and take appropriate action

Demonstrate the appropriate responses for an unconscious patient and perform effective CPR

Describe appropriate responses to a variety of situations requiring first aid

Whanau Groups

Whanau groups were introduced in 2023 as a way for our whole school to be able to connect and have the tuakana/teina approach modelled. The Year 8's take charge of our whanau group days by planning and leading fun activities for all of the students to enjoy. It has been great to see lots of pride and healthy competition amongst the children as they battle to earn whanau group points to win the top spot on our whanau group trophy each term!

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Friday Clubs

Baking Club

Baking Club was new term 1 2024. It happened from student voice and with the new multi purpose room it was only fitting to have a baking club. The club has been set up into four small Tuakana - Teina groups which has shown the senior students shine in their Tuakana role.