Social Sciences
Welcome to the Social Science Department at South Otago High School. The department has, as its aim, to provide the students who attend South Otago High School with an appreciation and understanding of the environment in which they live, based on events of the past, the present and looking forward to the future.
Social Science subjects and topics studied include:
- Year 9 Social Studies: Antarctica, Pacific Islands, Treasures of the Sea, United we Stand and the Arrival of the Maori
- Year 10 Social Studies: War and Peace, New Zealand in the 19th Century, Canada, Geography and History and The World of Work
- Year 11 Geography: Extreme Natural Events (Cyclones), Resources and their use (mixed farming and coal), New Zealand Population and geographic skills and ideas
- Year 11 History: Origins of W.W.II, New Zealand’s Search for Security and Black Civil Rights in the U.S.A.
- Year 12 Geography: Natural Environments (the South Island High Country and the Tropical Rainforest of Amazonia), Disparities in Development (United States of America and Tanzania), Singapore as a major urban settlement and geographic skills and ideas
- Year 12 History: Russian Revolution, Vietnam War and American Revolution
- Year 13 Geography: Coastal South Otago as a natural environment, tourism development in both Queenstown and Rarotonga, and geographic skills and ideas.
- Year 13 History: New Zealand in the 19th Century
The department is fortunate to have highly motivated teaching staff that play an important part in the pastoral care system of the school and are involved in a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities. Three of the newer staff members are ex-pupils of the school. Members of the department are also actively involved in their academic subject at a national level.
Department Staff:
Greg Heller: Head of Social Sciences
Gareth Hore: Assistant Head Geography and Social Studies
Kelly McLean: Geography and Social Studies
Barry Munro: Social Studies
Anna O’Sullivan: Social Studies
Christopher Sly: Social Studies
Career options are not limited to specific areas within the academic discipline. Indeed, students with degrees in either Geography or History are sought after because of their adaptability and wide variety of skills.