Social Studies is about how people in different cultures, times and places, think, feel and act, how they organize their way of life, interact with others and initiate or respond to change.

Seven broad aims may be identified:

• To study people's organisation in groups and the rights, roles and responsibilities of people as they interact.
• To identify the contribution of culture and heritage to identity.
• To learn about the way people interact with places and the environment, manage resources and participate in economic activities.
• To study the relationships between people and events, through time, and interpretations of these relationships.
• To develop not only academic skills but also social skills.
• To create an ongoing interest in the subject and the concepts behind it. To nurture critical thought.
• To prepare boys for IGCSE and NCEA social science programmes in Form Five. 

Courses 

Form 3

(i) Settlement and Migration - a study of where people live and why
(ii) The Settlement of Polynesia and New Zealand
(iii) The World of the Maori - Maori lifestyles and change
(iv) European Exploration and Settlement - Abel Tasman and James Cook
(v) The Treaty of Waitangi and the fight for redress
(vi) Resources and Economic Activities - a study of technology and resources
(vii) Government - study of the organisation and formation of Government.

Form 4

All pupils except 4O and 4Q will follow a course covering both IGCSE Geography and History. 4P and 4R have a modified course covering Geography only.

IGCSE Geography:

1. Population and Migration
2. Plate tectonics, rocks and weathering
3. Coastal environments
4. Geographical skills

IGCSE History:

1. The Palestine Israel conflict
2. New Zealand's search for security in the 20th Century

Methods of Assessment

All Social Studies students will complete one common assignment and at least one common test per term. In addition, individual teachers carry out book checks and tests for their classes. The common assignments involve data collection and processing, essay writing skills and some group work. Examinations in Term One, Two and Four provide students and parents/guardians with feedback on individual progress throughout the year.

Current Staff

Mr Oates (Head of Department)
Mr Sparks (Assistand HOD)
Mr Askew
Mr Brown
Mr Cullen
Mr Elise
Mr Etty
Ms Gilbert
Mr Hasler
Mr Helleur
Dr Jenks
Mrs Lazarus
Mr Lincoln
Mr Maguire
Mr McCrea
Mr M Paton
Miss Ransom
Mr Skeen
Mr Sparks
Mr Wadams