SOCIAL SCIENCES AT
BURNSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
2013
WHY SHOULD I TAKE SOCIAL SCIENCES?
Social Sciences helps you to
understand the world around
you!
If you are interested in Social
Studies and Business Studies
then consider taking them in
Year 11 and onwards.
Social Studies splits into different options for Year 11. These
are Economics, Geography and
History. Accounting is also
offered at Year 11 for students
to choose.
The skills that you develop in
these subjects are in high demand by employers in the 21st
Century. These skills include
making an argument and supporting it with evidence, problem
solving and developing a high
level of literacy in order to communicate ideas.
Inside this issue:
In Social Science subjects there
are opportunities to engage in
interesting learning both in and
out of the classroom.
There are many fieldtrip opportunities around New Zealand
and a number of optional overseas trips that are offered from
year to year.
ACCOUNTING
while systems analysts design
more efficient ways to organise
a business.
What is Level 1 about?
Level 1 covers the whole process from recording data into
journals to preparing final reports after making adjustments,
and then interpreting the results.
The records are then reconciled
with the bank’s records of our
transactions. As well as a business, Level 1 covers accounting
for clubs and societies. Burnside
High School has possibly the
best NCEA Accounting results
in the country.
External
BHS
NZ
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Percent
Accounting covers the range
from keeping track of business
transactions, producing financial
reports for management, owners, investors and others, to
interpreting how a business is
performing and giving financial
advice. While it is a very good
career, learning Accounting will
be useful for anyone, since
whatever occupation you go
into, sooner or later you will be
dealing with budgets and finance - whether you run a
butcher shop or become a senior brain surgeon. If you want to
go on to be an accountant, there
are many areas you can specialise in - cost accountants
keep track of production costs in
manufacturing firms, financial
accountants produce profit and
cashflow statements, auditors
check the accounts of others
30.0
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Merit
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Becoming an accountant
As an accountant you will need
a B.Com degree and be admitted as a Chartered Accountant
after 3 years experience. Alternatively you could be an Accounting Technician through
polytech. It is not as easy to pick
up Accounting later on as some
other subjects, and you must do
Level 1 to do Level 2 and then
L e v e l
3
N C E A .
Jobs for Accountants
Accounting graduates will always find a job, and the qualifications can be used overseas.
In accounting firms, graduates
work in small teams, and by
their late 20’s would be a team
leader. From there they can
become a partner - on very
serious money!
Economics
2
Geography
2
History
3
Legal Studies
3
Tourism
3
Classical
Studies
4
In the business world, the finance line is probably the best
route to becoming CEO. Here is
just another random example of
an ex-Burnside student - until
recently CEO of Air New Zealand.
Rob Fyfe—former CEO
Air New Zealand
ECONOMICS
Economics is a very big subject, covering
everything from how prices and wages are
determined to why some countries become
super-powers while others are poor and starving. The global recession, the Euro crisis and
our government’s state asset sales are all
economic issues.
B.A., B.Com or a B.Sc, and go on to do a
Masters and PhD doctorate! At Level 1, BurnExternal
Studying Economics
Economics is an NCEA subject through to
Level 3. You can major in Economics for a
NZ
in demand internationally. Consider an exBurnside Economics student [chosen at random] - made $50m by the time he was 40.
Currently Prime Minister in his second term.
Imagine what our top students achieved!
40.0
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What is Level 1 about?
At Level 1 you get to see how producers make
decisions about how to produce, what to produce and how to market it. Using the supply
and demand model you will be able to show
how the market for any good or service reaches an equilibrium.
BHS
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What is Economics about?
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side High School enjoys very good results in
NCEA - have a look at how we compare.
Jobs for Economics graduates
Big companies, banks, government agencies
like the Reserve Bank and Treasury all employ economists. Trade unions, airlines, town
planners and health agencies all have specialist economists. Economists are well paid and
John Key—Prime Minister of
New Zealand
GOING PLACES WITH GEOGRAPHY
‘People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary
things’ - Edmund Hillary
Geography makes a difference because it
tackles the big issues happening in the world
right now! With growing interest in issues such
as climate change, urbanisation, environmental impacts and social cohesion, geography is
one of the most relevant courses you could
choose to study. The world needs ‘big picture’
people to help us prepare for a sustainable
future.
A wide-range of employers value Geography
graduates as they are versatile, flexible thinkers and they possess an exceptional range of
transferable skills. Examples include computing skills, numeracy, literacy, communication,
problem-solving, decision-making, analytical
skills, critical evaluation, working cooperatively, enquiry and thinking creatively.
Geography makes a difference
because it tackles the big issues
happening in the world right now!
There are ample career prospects including;
Urban Planning, Diplomatic Service, Architecture, Geographic Information Systems, Resource Management, Community/Regional
Development, International Aid Agencies,
Law, Disaster Management, Journalism, Surveyors, Transport and Logistics, Aviation,
Tourism, Resource Management, Public Relations, Market Research………………………
And finally………….
If you are interested in a career that involves
travel, you won’t be disappointed. Geographers really can work anywhere in the world!
Year 11 Course Outline
GIMBY (Geography in My Back Yard): Students learn and apply a range of practical
skills in the field and school environs. Practise
mapping, field sketching, data collection,
interviewing, group work, using specialist field
equipment...... Experience a field trip to the
Port Hills.
Mac Attack: Conduct research in the local
Burnside area and learn to problem solve and
make decisions. What are the impacts of the
McDonalds fast food chain?
Shake it Up: Learn what causes earthquakes,
their impacts on people and the environment
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and how people respond.
Case studies may include
Christchurch/Canterbury, Haiti,
Japan.
clude New Zealand, Asia and
other world examples. Partake
in a field trip to the local cemetery.
A Network of Friends: From
facebook to tweets. Delve into
the world of social media and
understand the issues arising
from this global phenomenon.
Coffee culture: Have you ever
wondered where your coffee
comes from? Are the producers getting a fair price? Just
how much should a cup of
coffee cost? Investigate the
world's coffee trade.
Pushchair or Zimmerframe?:
Learn about population sustainability, diversity, change
and migration. Contexts in-
Year 13 Geography—
Kaikoura Fieldtrip
Geography at the Movies:
Study film from a geographic
perspective.
SOCIAL SCIENCES AT BURNSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
HISTORY
HISTORY is the collective memory of humanity. It attempts to describe simply and clearly
what happened in the past, and to explain how
and why it happened the way it did. History is
an important part of the identity of a society
and the people within it.
In recent years we have begun to realise how
important a good understanding of History is
in order to understand the identity of New
Zealanders. It is a subject which specialises in
teaching a wide variety of information skills of
information gathering, processing and presentation. Such skills are vital for earning a living
in a changing world which will require its citizens to have sophisticated information skills.
The study of History will enable students to
acquire thinking skills which are essential in a
wide variety of careers (such as law and associated careers, journalism, public service,
business). The skills include the ability to
gather information from a wide variety of
sources, the ability to develop clear thinking
by arriving at reasoned conclusions based on
evidence and the ability to present findings
from research in a clear, accurate and interesting manner.
The course consists of:
COMMON SECTION
The Origins and Experiences of World War II
Protest and Change in New Zealand 19601985
OPTIONAL SECTION:
Two of the following topics to be selected by
the teacher
Black Civil Rights in USA
Conflict in Ireland
Conflict in the Middle East
SPECIAL STUDY
Assassination
History is an important part of
the identity of a society and the
people within it.
Students will be offered the opportunity to
achieve 20 credits in five Achievement Standards, each worth four credits. Three achievement standards will be internally assessed
and will be based on the Special Study and a
topic-based assessment. The other two of
these standards will be externally assessed in
an examination in November, and will be
based on knowledge and skills taught in any
of the topics from either the Common or Optional sections.
FOR THE FUTURE: LEGAL STUDIES (Years 12 and 13)
Legal studies aims to develop in students a
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of
our New Zealand legal system.
Why study Legal Studies?
It develops your awareness and understanding of your civil, consumer and employment
rights as well as giving you an appreciation for
how the legal system works.
If you are considering a career within the legal
system such as in the Police or as a Lawyer
then this course provides an invaluable and
informative introduction. During the course
students get the opportunity to visit the courts,
police station and have visiting speakers from
the legal profession, justice department and
the police.
FOR THE FUTURE: TOURISM (Years 12 and 13)
Did you know that the tourism industry employs nearly one in ten New Zealanders?
Year 12 and 13 Tourism enables students to
gain job related qualifications. The course
provides skills to students with an interest in
future study and/or employment in the tourism
and travel sector. Students complete Unit
Standards administered by Sir George Seymour National College of Airline, Travel and
Tourism.
On successful completion of the course students may be awarded the National Certificate
in Tourism, (Introductory skills) Level 2.
Examples of topics studied include; New
Zealand tourist destinations, work roles in
tourism, international tourist destinations,
tourist characteristics and needs, impacts of
tourism and calculations for a tourism workplace.
Students meet a diverse range of people
involved in the tourism industry and have the
opportunity to visit tourist destinations such as
Akaroa and Hanmer.
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FOR THE FUTURE: CLASSICAL STUDIES (Years 12 and 13)
It is the study of two of the most fascinating civilisations of the past; ancient Greece
and Rome. The course investigates:
What can I do with Classical Studies?
Will Classical Studies help me get a
job?
Famous people: Alexander the Great,
Leonidas and his 300 hundred Spartans,
Achilles and Odysseus
Classical Studies helps you:
Troy by the Trojan
Broaden your intellectual and cultural
horizons
Prince Paris
Famous places: the Colosseum in Rome,
the Acropolis of Athens
Significant events: the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii
The lifestyles and values of ancient people: slavery, the role of women, dinner
parties for the rich, sport and their competitive spirit
Mythology / religion: gods and heroes and
their significance for man
The impact of ancient civilisations on modern man: Hollywood’s interpretation of
exciting historical and mythological events
Therefore, in Classical Studies you are
likely to find something that interests and
challenges you.
Seduction of Helen of
Develop your awareness and understanding
Develop a range of skills that are transferable to the outside world For example : the
ability to think, research, express yourself
clearly and concisely, collect evidence,
analyse and present an argument.
Classical Studies students enter a range of
fields: journalism, hospitality industry,
broadcasting, publishing, human resources
& management, art galleries & museums,
anthropology, archaeology, teaching, the
theatre, diplomatic service, banking, commerce and many more.
Leonidas, Spartan
commander of the
300
Social Sciences
takes you places ...