10 Social Studies

He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata! – It’s people, it’s people, it’s people!

Welcome to Year 10 Te ao tangata|Social Studies. This course is about how societies work and how people can participate as thinking, active, informed, and responsible citizens. The aim of the course is to help you to understand the culture, traditions, lifestyle, and environment of Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as countries and societies that have significance for Aotearoa New Zealand. Te ao tangata|Social Studies is a compulsory subject in Year 9 and 10 and you will be taught by specialist Social Scientists. In this subject you will have the opportunity to practice your Literacy and Numeracy skills as Social Studies synthesises these skills into the case studies we study throughout the year. 

During the year, you will study three main units. Each unit takes about ten weeks to complete and during that time you will do at least one formal assessment. The assessments are designed to demonstrate your understanding of the key content covered, as well as a range of Te ao tangata|Social Studies skills. You will also have the opportunity to complete  a current events quiz each week. 

• Turangawaewae - a case study of the local rohe and Social Science skills
• Money Matters - a study of economic decisions and growth
• Nga Taonga - a study of peoples’ management of resources and the environment
• Human Rights - a study of how people seek out and defend human rights both today and in the past

Social Studies has continued to be as relevant and important as ever for our Year 9 and 10 students as national and international current events capture the interest and help our students to understand more about different societies and cultures. Our refreshed programme adds a richness to the learning experiences of our students as they learn about the history and tikanga of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. This year all Year 10 student will focus on Maungakiekie as a place of significance as a way to practise key social science skills, for our starting unit Taurangawaewae. The course will include, where appropriate, the school values of compassion, community, curiosity, and courage. These skills are crucial in the empowerment of young people to participate responsibly in our local, national, and international communities.

Our programme is rounded out by investigating current events  alongside our planned course. This helps students to make connections between what they learn in the classroom to what is currently evolving and happening in real life. This two year course aims at developing students' Literacy, Numeracy, critical thinking, and research skills. These fundamental skills will be assessed over the year in a variety of assignments.