Covering a broad spectrum of individual disciplines, the Social Sciences address important issues, giving students both knowledge and understanding, as well as the skills to adapt and cope with change.

We encourage students to think about how societies work, so that they can better understand, participate in and contribute positively to the community they are a part of.  Particularly through enquiry learning, students are encouraged to engage critically with societal issues, evaluating the sustainability of alternative social, economic, political or environmental practice.

The Social Sciences have their foundation in the traditional subjects of social studies, economics, history and geography, but can also include accounting, classical studies, legal studies, media studies and tourism studies.

As our students explore how others see themselves through a variety of contexts and settings they are able to clarify their own identities in relation to their own particular heritages, and contexts.  We set the groundwork for our young people to be a part of our society, participating as critical, active, informed and responsible citizens.

Career Pathways

Learned knowledge and the understandings developed through skill utilised in the social inquiry process provide many opportunities for real employment.  These range from jobs that are accessible with minimal academic qualifications, providing training which is essentially onsite.  Openings in hospitality, retail and the primary sector are examples.

With increasing competence through NCEA assessment at Years 11-13 the career option broaden through occupations such as travel agent, or flight attendant, armed forces, real estate agent to journalise, social worker, legal executive to careers requiring tertiary qualifications.  Careers may include landscape architect, civil engineer, managerial roles, chartered accountant, teacher or lawyer.

The skills required as a successful social science student are relatively generic and can be utilised to excellent effect in many potential occupations.  These skills provide our students with the adaptive key for lifelong learning.

Successes

Academically, students are encouraged in Year 13 to consider, then work towards, achieving the highly competitive scholarships (NCEA Level 4) in individual subjects.  Tauhara College has gained recognition with scholarships gained in geography and economics.

Special Activities

• Physical geography at Mt Ruapehu or the coast in Hawkes Bay, cultural geography with farm visits or city planning issues in Napier/Hastings
• Experiential field trips to understand the big picture to the South Island, Fiji or Singapore and Malaya

Economics annually visit the Mystery Creek Field Days in June and students are encouraged to enter the ICAS Economics Competition.

History, geography and classical studies also involve their students with regional seminars, often at a university campus.

Year 9 classes visit Wellington via a stop at Waiouru as part of their social studies programme.