The following courses are available for study in 2026

Geography:   11Geo   Full Year

Course Description: If you enjoyed Social Studies, then 11 Geography would be a good subject for you to take. If you enjoy news events and learning about different places around the world, then Geography is definitely for you.

Geography helps us understand the world and many of the issues and events that are currently happening, both in New Zealand and globally.

Geography students will develop skills to help understand our world more; using inquiry, mapping (online and traditional), resource interpretation, surveying, research and fieldwork skills.

Topics taught include: Natural Disasters, Natural Features, Making Maps, Spatial Analysis, Different Countries, Decision Making and Traditional Geography Skills. However, as Geography is a contemporary subject, we do add to and alter the course when current events occur.

Recommended Entry Criteria: Open Entry

Field Trips: Two formal field trips; (To the beach and to the CBD), but we take any small opportunity to get out and about our local area when appropriate.

Qualifications to be gained: 15 or 20 Level 1 NCEA credits

Level 1 Literacy credits: 10

Level 1 Numeracy credits: 5 

Next step: 12Geo

Contact Person: Mr Skinner mjs@shirley.school.nz

Geography:   12Geo   Full Year

Course Description: If you want to find out more about the world we live in, then Geography is for you. We live in a world that faces climate change, pandemics, drought, war, energy shortages, mass migrations, terrorism and fake news! Geography is extremely relevant to life today and helps young people understand the world they are growing up in.

Topics taught include: Global Issues, Christchurch Developments, Making Maps, Spatial Analysis, Mega Cities, Natural Environment & Geographic Skills.

Field Trips: A two day map making field trip and a one-day CBD investigation.

Recommended Entry Criteria: 10 credits from 11Geo, but anyone with NCEA Level One can take 12Geo.

Qualifications to be gained: 19 Level 2 NCEA credits

UE Literacy: Yes - 4 credits Reading or Writing

Next step: 13Geo

Contact Person: Mr Skinner mjs@shirley.school.nz

Geography:   13Geo   Full Year

Course Description: If you're curious about how people shape the planet—and how the planet shapes us—then Geography is for you. This course explores real-world issues and the role Geography plays in understanding and responding to them. We examine resource use and the environmental and social challenges that come with it. You'll also investigate a nationally significant event in Queenstown (with an optional field trip), as well as investigating the development of tourism and analysing its impacts and the tensions that come with growth.The course also involves a research project on a topic of your own choosing.

Whether you're interested in environmental science, urban planning, tourism, geopolitics, or sustainability, Geography is a smart subject choice that helps you make sense of an increasingly complex world.

Topics taught include: Coastal Issues, Own Choice of Research Topic, Event Geography in Queenstown, and Advanced Geography Skills. However, as Geography is a contemporary subject, we do add to and alter the course when current events occur.

Field Trips: A four day field trip to Queenstown.

Recommended Entry Criteria: 12 credits from 12Geo, but anyone with NCEA Level Two can take 13Geo.

Qualifications to be gained: 19 Level 3 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: Yes – 14 credits Reading and 6 credits Reading or Writing.

UE Approved: Yes

Contact Person: Mr Skinner mjs@shirley.school.nz