Why are Social Scientists more important than ever?

Our world in a very short time has become globalised.  Pandemics such as Covid 19 illustrate the nature of globalisation. Social scientists ask questions and inquire into:

• Factors that affect our health and well‐being
• What could make our neighbourhoods safer?
• How we can improve children’s lives and their education?
• How we can change the world for the better
• How we can broaden our horizons
• The value of democracy
• What the past has to teach us in order to create a better future
• How we can make sense of our finances

Global Perspectives: Step Up, Stand Out (9GBP or 10GBP)                            Full Year

This Cambridge-level course is a full-year (2 x semesters) learning package. This is an extension programme where students work towards completing the Cambridge University International Examination syllabus for IGCSE – Global Perspectives.

Step into the future in your SGHS Red Shoes and be ready to make a difference in a rapidly changing world.

Through real-world case studies and inquiry-based learning, you’ll explore the big issues shaping our world.

You will investigate diverse perspectives, analyse complex issues, and learn that there is rarely a single solution to today’s challenges. The course will encourage your curiosity, innovation, and the confidence to question, evaluate, and act.

The full-year programme consists of:

• Group Project (Internal Assessment)
• Individual Research Portfolio (Internal Assessment)
• Written Examination (External Assessment – November)

Costs: By studying this course, students can opt into the Cambridge International Examinations, which incurs a cost of approximately $200.00. You can still complete this course without choosing to enter the formal exam.

Civics: Rulers, Rebels, and Republics (9CIV or 10CIV)                                    1 semester

How do societies decide who makes the rules—and what happens when total power falls into the hands of a single ruler?

This Social Studies unit explores the struggle between rule by the people and tyranny. We trace the story of power from the birth of democracy in ancient Greece and Rome, through Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique journey to self-rule, right up to the brutal dictatorships of the modern world.

Geography: Cocoa, Coasts, and Catastrophes (9GEO or 10GEO)              1 semester

Ever wondered how your favourite chocolate bar actually gets to the store?

We are putting chocolate under the geographic microscope to uncover the fascinating global networks, farming secrets, and real-world impact behind this delicious treat. Next, we head to the coastline. We will track how people move across borders, dive into the massive challenges facing major beachside cities, and map out the future of our crowded shores.

To wrap up the semester, we are chasing storms. Get ready to investigate natural hazards like tropical hurricanes and break down their massive economic, social, and environmental impact on the world.

The semester will be covering the following;

• The Global Journey of Chocolate
• Coastal Cities on the Edge
• The Fury of Natural Hazards

NZ History: Conflict, Protest, and Identity (9HIS or 10HIS)                           1 semester

Delve into the defining moments of New Zealand’s history from the 19th century to the modern day – with the emphasis being “New Zealand at War”.

This learning package will examine New Zealand soldiers’ involvement in WWI and WWII, as well as brief looks at their military involvement in Korea and Vietnam.

Highlights of this package will include the battles of (Gallipoli, Monte Cassino) and the home front (anti-war protests, political shifts, and women’s rights).

The aim of this learning package is to challenge students to understand how conflict and peace have shaped modern New Zealand.

Junior Commerce and Enterprise: Taking Care of Business                          1 semester

(9JCE or 10JCE)

The theory and practise of running a business. You will be introduced to the ideas around demand, supply, making profit, trading, etc. In the second half of the course, you will form teams and run your own business with the aim of making a profit on market day.

Costs: Each member of the team will contribute some start-up capital (approx. $25.00) towards running the business.

Accounting – Understanding business language, managing finances, making financial decisions, and learning to process financial information. This course is taught from Level 1 right through to Level 3.   

Agribusiness – Issues facing primary industries. This is a course taught from Level 2 to 3 with topic highlights being future proofing, cash flows, marketing, and manipulation of organisms (all are in a variety of case studies/settings)  

Classical Studies – Understanding the significance of ancient civilizations in shaping the modern world we live in. This is a course taught from Level 2 to 3 with topic highlights being the destruction of Pompeii, heroes across time (Troy through to the Hunger Games) and Commodus the crazy Emperor.  

Economics – Understanding the importance of market forces (supply and demand), importance of pricing decisions, trade, employment, and government influences on New Zealand’s economy.  This course is taught from NCEA Level 1 to 3 with topic highlights including international trade, government policies and market failures. 

History – Understanding New Zealand’s place in history and links to key events in New Zealand’s history. This is a course taught from NCEA Level 1 to 3 with topic highlights being New Zealand in war, Black Civil Rights Movement (in USA), and the rise and fall of Nazi Germany.  

Geography – Understanding the diverse environments of the world, ever changing places, spaces on the earth’s surface and their interaction with humans. This is broken into Human and Physical Geography and the important interaction these two ideas have. This is a course taught from NCEA level 1 – 3 with topic highlights being Christchurch Earthquake, Happiness around the world, CSI Chicago and Blood Diamonds. 

 Tourism – Learn about the impacts of tourism on: host populations, tourist behaviours, geographical locations, knowledge of destinations, businesses in tourism, and work roles inside of tourism. This is a course from Level 2 to 3 with topic highlights being impacts of Nepal and Bhutan tourism, tourism in Queenstown, and tourism in Rotorua.