Find out what has been happening with our senior students in 2019 and your options for taking a Social Science in 2020.

2019 has been another busy year in the Social Sciences department. Our senior students in particular, have been involved in a number of exciting and engaging learning experiences both in the classroom and around the region. Below are some snippets from what some of our students have been up to this year, and also some general information about each subject. Why not take up a Social Science in 2020 and be part of the action?

Year 11 History

Students travelled to Christchurch for a seminar on the Black Civil Rights movement in the USA. They listened to Elizabeth Eckford a member of the famous Little Rock Nine who were the first black students to attend Little Rock Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. They found hearing about Elizabeth’s experiences of confronting racial discrimination in 1950s America extremely interesting. The seminar helped them in their study of the Black Civil Rights movement and also to understand the ongoing racial issues in the United States today.

Year 12 Geography

The year 12 Geography class travelled to the Upper Rangitata Valley to work on Mesopotamia High Country Station. This was part of their physical geography unit to understand a large natural environment. They got out into the field to study lots of aspects of this amazing alpine environment. They also gained some expert knowledge from a local farmer on the ways in which the natural environment affects land use and farming activities in the valley.

Year 13 Geography

The year 13 Geographers spent four days in beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park studying Tourism; the use of 1080 poison in National Parks; and the natural processes operating in the Lower Tasman Valley. A highlight of the trip was a boat ride on Tasman Lake where the students were able to get close to icebergs, and to see and learn about the Tasman Glacier.

Year 11 Societies & Citizenship

One of the studies for the class this year was on the issue of poverty in the local community. The pupils decided to take social action by organising a clothing drive. The students were very grateful for the clothing that was donated by the school, and wider, communities, which they sorted, folded, packed and delivered to the local Vinnies store on Stafford Street. This was a great way for students to model the values and special character of Roncalli College.

Year 12 Societies & Citizenship

Community service fits with the ethos of this school as well as with the principles of citizenship. In keeping with our focus on social action to make a positive difference, some students chose to get out into the local community to help alleviate loneliness amongst the elderly by spending time with Rest Home residents on a regular basis. Other members of the class continued their work with the Marist team to build understanding and empathy for the residents of poor, isolated, rural communities in the North Island’s Urewera region.

Year 13 Societies & Citizenship

Members of this class recently undertook a social action to try to influence a rule or law. Some students took their ideas to the MP for Rangitata, Andrew Falloon, visiting him in his Timaru office. They put forward their cases for lowering the tax rate to alleviate child poverty, and for a reduction in single use plastic packaging in order to help preserve the environment and cut down on plastic waste. The students enjoyed the opportunity to speak directly with a Member of Parliament concerning something they felt passionately about.

Social Science Options for 2020

The Social Sciences are all about people. Social Science subjects are important preparation for any job or career that involves working with people. Whether you are looking at jobs in medicine, engineering, education, politics, law, tourism, retail or any other, taking at least one Social Science subject is highly recommended.

Below are some summaries of the Social Science subjects offered at Roncalli. You do not have to have studied a Social Science subject before, to opt for one or more in 2020. If you have any questions about any of the Social Sciences programmes please feel free to contact the Curriculum Leader of Social Sciences, Micheal Johnston at m.johnston@roncalli.school.nz

HISTORY

Offered at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3

History is about problem solving, gathering evidence and fitting that evidence together to understand what happened in past societies, and why those things happened. Historians weigh and evaluate sources, seek a deep understanding of previous events in society and act as detectives to solve mysteries hidden in evidence. Everyone in our society needs to know how to evaluate information; we are surrounded by it. History will teach you the life skills to be able to do this. History will also improve your literacy skills and give you a better understanding of the world we live in today. You will know why certain countries respond to threats in the way they do, and whether people are learning from others’ past mistakes. In History at Roncalli you will study such varied topics as the 1981 Springbok tour, the rise of the Nazis and the Rwandan genocide.

“If you are interested in looking into past events and seeing how they might affect how things are today, History is a good subject for you to take. Learning about what has happened and the factors that have influenced past events is a great way to expand your mind and become more knowledgeable about the world.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Lucas Cummings Year 13 History student

GEOGRAPHY

Offered at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3

Geography is the study of Earth’s environments. It seeks to find out how the world works and how it changes over time. It explores the interaction and connections between groups of people and between people and the natural environment. Geography investigates the ways in which features are arranged on the earth’s surface. It describes and explains the patterns and processes that create them. As a student you will learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information. In Geography at Roncalli you will study natural landscapes such as the Amazon basin, global patterns such as that of maritime piracy, and extreme natural events like the Christchurch earthquakes, among many other topics.

"Geography has given me the opportunity to explore what is on our back doorstep, and really appreciate the natural environment we have here. I have enjoyed the field work and learning many skills that also relate to other subjects!" 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Callum Jamieson, Year 13 Geography student

SOCIETIES & CITIZENSHIP

Offered at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3

Societies and Citizenship is about social issues, how society is shaped, and how you can take action to influence the type of society in which you live. As it is a Social Science, it will help you to understand why people behave the way they do, as well as preparing you to be an active, confident citizen, with a clear understanding of rights and responsibilities that go with citizenship. You will develop skills such as critical and reflective thinking, as well as the ability to evaluate information. Your confidence will grow as you set goals, plan, and take action towards making a positive difference in society. The subject aligns well with the Special Character of our school, and encourages the development of your social conscience, as well as the values underpinning your identity. Societies and Citizenship focuses on current issues in society such as child poverty, discrimination, and how governments affect the lives of their citizens.

If you love people, learning about various cultures, addressing conflicts and learning about society’s most important issues, Societies and Citizenship is the subject for you. Societies and Citizenship is all about people, and since people are one of the most important things, a subject like SOC can enable you to impact the lives of many people whilst also developing your own knowledge and skills.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Phoebe Scarsbrook Year 12 Societies & Citizenship student