Tararua College Social Sciences (Tikanga ā Iwi)

Excellence, Involvement, Respect

Social Sciences Staff

Ms Alex McKinlay – HOD Social Sciences
Ms Brenda O'Donnell
Mr Avinash Narayan
Ms Sam Tipene
Miss Subhashni Lata

Junior Tikanga ā Iwi Programme

All of our students will be involved in a Junior Tikanga ā Iwi (Social Sciences) programme. Throughout the year, they will have a taster of four different curriculum areas, History, Geography, Civics and Politics, and Economics. Through this, we provide ākonga with the relevant experiences and information to make informed decisions about which of the Social Sciences are best for them at the senior level.

Core Curriculum Tasters

History
This course focuses on exploring Aotearoa New Zealand’s past through a range of perspectives and voices.

Geography
Ākonga will be guided through the different themes of Geography including location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.

Civics and Politics
This course is aimed at encouraging ākonga to learn about leadership through our government.

Advanced Themes in Social Sciences

History Skills

Ākonga will examine themes such as conflict, power, resistance, and human rights, developing their ability to think critically about the past and its relevance today.

Economics + Financial Literacy

Introduces ākonga to financial literacy concepts such as tax, savings, compound interest and mortgages—all of which have an impact on their financial futures.

Geographical Skills

Ākonga will be guided through skills including mapping, research, comprehension of data and implications in the real world.

Year 10 Option: Psychology

Ākonga will explore topics such as identity, learning, and the brain. Through engaging contexts such as Te Whare Tapa Whā, Maslow’s Hierarchy and Mass Hysteria, ākonga will gain a taster of our senior Psychology class while developing critical thinking and inquiry skills.

Senior Social Sciences

As a Year 11 – 13, ākonga have the opportunity to specialise in one or more of our subjects. We offer exciting academic programmes such as History, Psychology and Commerce for our senior students. These courses have enthusiastic kaiako, engaging opportunities outside the classroom and at level three, are all University Entrance approved subjects.