In Year 13 History, we deal with some very heavy topics. Over the last two terms, students have engaged with topics that delve into racism, international relations, disasters and the dynamics of control and power.

For many parents, it is strange to think that for most of Term 1, students studied the forces that shaped the 1980s. We discuss the emergence of global terrorism and the rise of religious extremism. We try to understand how global forces related to economics, the search for equality and personality politics defined an era. This culminates with students investigating a significant event of the decade. A popular topic this year was looking at the Central Park Five jogger case from New York. This infamous court case highlighted the systemic racism present in the US justice system. Through their inquiry, students discover the different perspectives of the case and why people believe what they believe. They also draw links to New Zealand society both at the time and since.

This term we began with an extensive study into the reasons behind The Holocaust or Shoah. This systematically planned genocide defined international relations after World War II and we are still seeing the effects today with the current conflict in Israel-Palestine. Digging deeper, students are gaining an understanding of the far-reaching antisemitism that purveyed European culture and how a group of political misfits managed to sway a population into committing and hiding one of the most incomparable catastrophes in history.

With these heavy topics in mind, it was a welcome change when my class was visited by a drove of baby rabbits! The history students got to stroke and snuggle with the baby bunnies when Janine (our graphic designer) brought the bundles of cuteness in to visit the Junior School. Taking this time out to just relax, chat and enjoy the companionship is beneficial to any of us, especially when we have lots going on.

Remember, sometimes, we need to take time to smell the roses, stare at the stars, watch the clouds roll by or even cuddle a baby bunny!