13 English in Society is a combined English and Social Studies course. In this course students participate in social action relating to a social issue of their choice. They work collaboratively with others in class and engage with whānau or community members to improve the lives of people and society. At the centre of social action is participation, and the action students take must be aimed at influencing policy; personal, organisation or public policy. Students learn that policy change is not always quick, it is a process and there are many tools people can use to influence policy. 

In 2022 Ryan Elvidge, Ryan Gardiner and Nicholas Nuon set out to improve their local community by campaigning to get a bus shelter installed on Travis Road. In deciding a change they would like in their community, the boys noticed that the east of Christchurch “lacked” public transportation facilities compared to other areas. They felt that the experience of using public transport could be improved, especially in the cold winter months if there was a bus shelter. Their actions included a survey, talking to local residents, school students and bus users and meetings with with the local community board and Christchurch City Council.

Their actions caught the attention of the Star News in August 2022, and 8 months after these students left school, the bus shelter was constructed. Job well done boys!