Social Sciences


Through the Social Sciences at Katikati College, students will develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to: better understand, participate in, and contribute to the local, national, and global communities in which they live and work.  They will engage critically with societal issues; and evaluate the sustainability of alternative social, economic, political, and environmental practices. Within the Social Sciences students will be taught 21st century skills - the core competencies such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving which will allow our students to thrive in today's world.

Students will explore the unique bi-cultural nature of New Zealand’s society that derives from the Treaty of Waitangi. They will learn about people, places, cultures, histories, and the economic world, within and beyond New Zealand. They will develop understandings about how societies are organised and function and how the ways in which people and communities respond are shaped by different perspectives, values, and viewpoints. As they explore how others see themselves, students will clarify their own identities in relation to their particular heritages and contexts.

In Years 7 – 10 students will be taught Social Studies which focusses on a wide range of contextualised local, national and global topics.  These topics build the foundation and interest to engage and succeed in the senior subjects that we offer at the college.  In Year 9 and 10 students will also have opportunity to take Business Studies as one of their self-selected options.

In Years 11 – 13 the Social Sciences branch out into Business Studies, History, Geography, Coasties, Education for Sustainability and Tourism as separate subjects.  In this way we continue to provide opportunities for choices that meet the needs of career pathways, tertiary providers, and NCEA requirements.

For detailed course information follow the link below.



Course Information