Social Sciences

Classics

Studying Classics (the ancient Greek and Roman world) helps students who aspire to careers in law, military, politics, medicine, pharmacy, science, policing, teaching, art, philosophy; and can be generally useful to any student who wants to critique and understand the world and its cultures. Additionally, because so much of the Classical period was defined by wars and political skirmishing, studying this area means a significant focus on battles, battle strategy and a variety of conflict strategies. Beyond that there are also access points for art and literature – Greek and Roman societies being the basis for much of Western literature, history, fiction, drama and art. Students use sources to build up a picture of the Roman and Greek world and making links to features of modern society. Classics courses are popular with students and enthusiasm naturally creates success. Every year students are offered a chance for contact with ancient artifacts through a field trip to a university within New Zealand. A number of students have been successful in Scholarship in Classics in recent years, making students more competitive in university admission. Classics can be taken from Y10 to Y13. Entry is possible at any level.

Teacher in Charge: Stuart Roxburgh

Social Studies

Social Studies/Tikanga a iwi is about people and society – past, present and future.  The goal of Social Studies at Nelson College is to help our students become informed citizens.  Social Studies is a compulsory subject in Years 9 and 10.  In Year 9 the overriding theme is ‘People belonging in society’.  Four key areas are studied during the year:  Identity, Government, Critical Thinking and Migration.  In Year 10 the overriding theme is ‘People making the world a better place’.  Four key areas are studied:  Leadership, Human Rights, Future Decisions and Sustainability. Students will develop skills including formal writing, research, group work and critical thinking.  Social Studies leads on to History, Classics, Geography and Tourism in the senior school.

Teacher in Charge: Simon Powrie

Future Problem Solving

FPS is an extension programme. Students compete nationally and internationally solving global problems. The programme develops and strengthens creative problem solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, research skills, oral and written communication skills and initiative.

Teacher Sarah Watts talks about the Future Problem Solving Programme.  A process where students consider issues that they may face in the future and explore possible challenges and solutions.

Teacher in Charge: Sarah Watts

History

History is the study of the past – everything up until now.  It involves learning about past events, how they have changed the world and continue to impact on the present day. History is offered at Nelson College in Years 10-13 as an optional subject choice.  Students benefit from the study of History for numerous reasons.  These include an awareness and appreciation of global and local events and how they have shaped the world to what it is today as well as academic skills to support other study and future study particularly literacy, critical thinking, and research. Students begin learning about history by looking at a range of events over time and progress to comparing events, looking at global trends and making judgements on disputed or controversial histories.  Contexts may vary from year to year depending on student interest or current events.

Teacher in Charge: Simon Powrie

Geography

Geography is all about applying scientific and social knowledge to managing natural and cultural (human-made) environments in an effort to make our standard of living more sustainable. One of the core aims is to establish knowledge of inter-relationships between and among human and natural systems. The emphasis is on exploring the challenges and gaining knowledge in areas such as biodiversity, sustainability, human population, interdependence and resource management. Fieldwork is a key component of the subject, and can include native tree planting, visits to related industrial sites, river quality monitoring and guest speakers.

Geography encourages students to investigate contemporary environmental issues and consider possible solutions, as well as the various perspectives of different groups of people. By studying themes in different contexts and places, Geography helps students see things holistically. It inspires students to help shape a better future and recognise their responsibilities to other people, the environment and the long term sustainability of the planet.

Teacher in Charge: David Purdie

Media Studies

Media Studies is a senior subject offered to students in Years 11, 12 and 13. Students work towards NCEA qualifications and can enter NZ Scholarship in Year 13.

Students explore and investigate film genres and industries by looking at how they shape our society. They learn new skills in scriptwriting, narrative development, pre-production skills and in using camera equipment and editing software to create content. We make music videos, short films and documentaries and enter them into the Nelson College Film Festival and the Briefs Film festival.

Tourism

Tourism is offered at both Year 12 and 13, with entry open to anyone.  Both courses equip you with useful and meaningful skills which can be immediately transferred to a career in Tourism or many other fields of work.  Our courses provide the opportunity to learn about a wide range of different places and people from around the world, giving you a richer understanding of our world.  Studying Tourism provides insight into what pushes people to leave their home and the factors that attract them to certain destinations.  We investigate what makes the Tourism industry unique compared with most other business sectors and why it is one of the most important industries for many countries, including New Zealand.

Field trips are a key element of both courses, including travel within and beyond our region to experience Tourism first-hand.  Specific topics that may be covered in Year 12 and 13 Tourism include; the business of tourism, tourist motivations, New Zealand, Pacific and global destinations, the impacts of tourism and career opportunities in tourism.

Teacher in Charge: David Purdie