Social Sciences
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Social science is about people and places and why and how they do what they do - almost everything that makes life worth living or being part of. At WHS, one of the most important skills that we learn is Critical Thinking. See the video below to learn some of range of ideas social scientists works in.
Sociology In sociology, students at WHS learn to investigate how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens, exploring the past, present, and future and investigate places within and beyond New Zealand. |
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Economics
In this course you will become someone worth listening to, whose opinions are based on knowledge, understanding and values. You will learn about the key issues that face our New Zealand economy – Employment, Trade, Inflation and Growth. This course will give you a sound basis on which to understand and discuss these major issues that are constantly in the news and which affect our lives and living standards.
Business Studies
The study of business is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers. The knowledge and skills you gain in business studies, and exposure to enterprise culture, can help develop your “creative, energetic, and enterprise” abilities to help you succeed in business, whether as an owner or as a valued employee.
In this course you will become someone worth listening to, whose opinions are based on knowledge, understanding and values. You will learn about the key issues that face our New Zealand economy – Employment, Trade, Inflation and Growth. This course will give you a sound basis on which to understand and discuss these major issues that are constantly in the news and which affect our lives and living standards.
Business Studies
The study of business is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers. The knowledge and skills you gain in business studies, and exposure to enterprise culture, can help develop your “creative, energetic, and enterprise” abilities to help you succeed in business, whether as an owner or as a valued employee.
"Critical thinking is the ability to analyse facts, generate and
organise ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw
inferences, evaluate arguments and solve problems."
- Paul Chance, Columbia University
History
History is a stimulating subject that investigates issues that are both relevant and significant for people today and in the future. An increasing number of career pathways are open for people who study History, such as tourism, law, journalism, architecture, writing, teaching, research, social work, publishing, library, archaeology, public relations. Students develop research skills (planning and carrying out major research assignments) and communication skills (expressing ideas clearly and logically and constructing balanced, logical arguments).
Geography
Geography is a dynamic subject that takes a contemporary approach to issues that are both relevant and significant for people today and in the future. An increasing number of career pathways are open for people who study Geography such as resource management, environmental analysts, town planners, tourism managers and analysts.
Tourism
Tourism is currently New Zealand’s largest employment sector employing approximately 10% of the total workforce. Students learn to understand communications - written and verbal - mathematics and information technology in the context of the tourism and travel industry. This includes knowledge of world geography and tourism destinations within NZ, as well as tourism as a world-wide industry.
History is a stimulating subject that investigates issues that are both relevant and significant for people today and in the future. An increasing number of career pathways are open for people who study History, such as tourism, law, journalism, architecture, writing, teaching, research, social work, publishing, library, archaeology, public relations. Students develop research skills (planning and carrying out major research assignments) and communication skills (expressing ideas clearly and logically and constructing balanced, logical arguments).
Geography
Geography is a dynamic subject that takes a contemporary approach to issues that are both relevant and significant for people today and in the future. An increasing number of career pathways are open for people who study Geography such as resource management, environmental analysts, town planners, tourism managers and analysts.
Tourism
Tourism is currently New Zealand’s largest employment sector employing approximately 10% of the total workforce. Students learn to understand communications - written and verbal - mathematics and information technology in the context of the tourism and travel industry. This includes knowledge of world geography and tourism destinations within NZ, as well as tourism as a world-wide industry.
Pathways at WHS
Year 9 Level 4/5 |
Year 10 Level 5/6 |
Year 11 NCEA Level 1 |
Year 12 NCEA Level 2 |
Year 13 NCEA Level 3 |
Social Studies |
Social Studies Commerce Critical Thinking |
Commerce Geography History |
Business Studies Economics Geography History Tourism Psychology |
Business Studies Economics Geography History Tourism Psychology |
For 2026 course information, including areas of study, prerequisites, assessments and standards, please follow the link to our Course Options Portal:
