12HIS - history

By taking History, you will be better able to understand current events and also be well-equipped to think and write analytically. The research and writing skills learnt through the study of History are directly transferable to most other academic disciplines, especially in the fields of Commerce, Humanities, and Law. Those seeking a legal career should take History alongside English. Careers in fields such as business, public policy, and journalism are also jump-started by a sound background in History.

If you study History in Year 12 you will also be better equipped to study History in Year 13 and beyond.

Where can studying History lead me to in the future?

People with a background in History are employed in a wide range of in-demand and well paid roles including:

• Policy Analyst

• Barrister

• Court Registry Officer

• Judge

• Solicitor

• Journalist

• Teacher

Your teacher will choose a variety of three or more topics from the range listed below. The number and duration of topics will depend on the teacher and assessment considerations. Topics may be combined to create a thematic approach. Additional topics may also be added:

• The War on Terror 

• US Imperialism 1880-1920

• The Crusades 

• The Holocaust and Holocaust Denial

• The US Civil War

• A topic that follows the Scholarship Prescription for 2025. We won't know this until December but previous contexts have included: Nationalism and Race, Communism, Colomialism and Treaties

There will also be a scholarship tutorials available if you are interested in sitting the Scholarship examinations. These sessions develop your ability to engage with conceptual thinking in History.

In a typical history lesson you might:

• Read a textbook, answer questions, and make notes.

• Examine historical sources such as newspapers or cartoons or speeches. 

• Listen to a presentation (and take notes).

• Engage in a class discussion or debate.

• Watch a film or documentary.

This course is open to all Year 12 students, even if they have not studied History before. You should:

• have an interest in studying the past;

• be comfortable with writing lengthy essays;

• be comfortable reading large tracts of text;

• demonstrate suitable literacy skills to the satisfaction of the HOD (Mr Tester).

You will sit four achievement standards as follows:

Internals

• REL 2.2 - An internally assessed religious studies standard where you answer questions about an event related to religious history. This would normally be either the Crusades, the Reformation, or the Witchcraze.

• 2.2 - An internally assessed essay where you discuss key historical ideas related to an historic event and its significance to New Zealanders (5 credits - UE Literacy Reading)

• 2.4 or 3.4 - An internally assessed essay where you examine or analyse perspectives related to a historical event (5 credits - UE literacy reading). Students will have the option of undertaking the Level 3 task (3.4) in substitution for the Level 2 task (2.4). 

Externals

• 2.3 - This is an externally assessed sources-based exam task (4 credits - UE literacy reading and writing).

OR

• 2.5 - This is an externally assessed essay-based exam task (5 credits - UE literacy reading and writing).

• Advanced students can also sit the History Scholarship exam.

NZQA History Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/history/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard. 

Key Details

The History and Geography Departments will be running a trip to Vietnam in the holidays of April 2026. Students who are currently taking either History or Geography in Year 11 or 12 in 2025 (and who will be taking either subject next year) are eligible to apply for a place. The trip will last for 12 days and will most likely begin on the Thursday before the holidays. The total cost will be approximately $7,100.00 subject to fluctuation depending on numbers.

To apply for a place, parents need to complete this form in hard copy and return it to Mr Tester in room 403. This needs be done by Friday 28 March. We will then begin our vetting process. If accepted, the first deposit of $2,300.00 will be due on Friday 2 May being the Friday of the first week in Term 2.

To view a video of the presentation given to parents on the evening of 10 March, please go to the trip instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/wc_vietnam_2026/