Students deepen their understanding of how places change and how societies function, with a focus on New Zealand's place in a globalised world.

They engage as critical citizens who explore complex contexts to understand the past, present and future. Students examine significant events and challenges and engage with concepts such as sovereignty, inequality, ethics and power. 

Students develop strong social sciences practices, including analysing data and sources, evaluating competing perspectives, and making well-reasoned decisions. They learn to construct evidence-based arguments and to appreciate that social sciences knowledge is shaped by the questions we ask and the perspectives we bring.

Students deepen their understanding of people, places, and societies and begin to specialise. Building on earlier learning, they may study History, Geography, Economics, Business Studies, Tourism or Psychology.

They engage with increasingly complex concepts, conduct in-depth inquiries, and apply social sciences thinking to real-world issues including environmental change, economic inequality, and political conflict. Students develop the skills to evaluate sources critically, construct sustained arguments, and consider the ethical dimensions of human decision-making.

These skills and experiences support pathways into tertiary study and careers in law, politics, journalism, education, and public service.

What our students take from Social Sciences goes beyond the classroom. We want them to be informed, empathetic, and critically engaged citizens who understand the decisions, histories, and communities that shape the world they are stepping into.