Faculty Information

GEOGRAPHY

Geography - Course Information

Year 11 Geography (NCEA Level 1) topics:

Extreme natural events: tropical cyclones in the South-West Pacific and volcanic eruptions in New Zealand
Population patterns, processes and issues: New Zealand and Monsoon Asia
Resources and their use: dairy farming and uranium mining
Geographic skills and ideas: topographic map skills, qualitative and quantitative analysis, decision making, research skills
Investigation of global and contemporary issues

Year 12 Geography (NCEA Level 2) topics:

Natural landscapes: the Amazon Basin and the South Island High Country or Tongariro Volcanic Plateau
Urban settlements: Auckland and Singapore
Disparities in development: Tanzania and the USA
Geographic skills and ideas: topographic map skills, qualitative and quantitative analysis, decision making, research skills
Investigation of global and contemporary issues

Year 13 Geography (NCEA Level 3)

topics:

Natural processes: fluvial processes of the Piha Drainage Basin
Cultural processes: tourism development in Rotorua and Vietnam
Geographic skills and ideas: topographic map skills, qualitative and quantitative analysis, planning and decision making, research skills
Investigation of global and contemporary issues

Geography - Assessment

Students at all levels sit internal assessments through the year and final NCEA exams held in November.
In preparation for the external exams, two practice exams are held during the school year.

Year 11 Geography (NCEA Level 1)

Internal Assessment:

Achievement Standard 1.5 Carry out and present guided geographic research - 5 creditss

Achievement Standard 1.6 Describe a contemporary geographic issue and evaluate courses of action - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 1.7 Describe a global geographic topic - 3 credits

Unit Standard 5085 Describe and explain resource use - 4 credits

External Assessment:

Achievement Standard 1.1 Describe an extreme natural event and the human response - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 1.2 Describe population patterns, processes and issues - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 1.4 Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context - 4 credits

Year 12 Geography (NCEA Level 2)

Internal Assessment:

Achievement Standard 2.5 Carry out and present guided geographic research - 5 credits

Achievement Standard 2.6 Explain a contemporary geographic issue and evaluate courses of action - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 2.7 Explain a geographic topic at a global scale - 3 credits

Unit Standard 5090 Explain the nature, patterns and growth of an urban settlement - 4 credits

External Assessment:

Achievement Standard 2.1 Explain a natural landscape - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 2.3 Explain disparities in development within or between countries - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 2.4 Apply skills and ideas, in a geographic context - 4 credits

Year 13 Geography (NCEA Level 3)

Internal Assessment:

Achievement Standard 3.3 Explain the contribution of geography to planning and decision-making processes- 3 credits

Achievement Standard 3.5 Carry out and present geographic research with consultation - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 3.6 Analyse a contemporary geographic issue and evaluate courses of action - 3 credits

Achievement Standard 3.7 Analyse a geographic topic at a global scale - 3 credits

External Assessment:

Achievement Standard 3.1 Analyse natural processes in the context of a geographic environment - 4 credits

Achievement Standard 3.2 Analyse a cultural process - 4 credits

Achievement Standard 3.4 Select and apply skills and ideas in a geographic context - 4 credits

Geography - Events

Year 11:

Field trip to a local dairy farm to collect data for 1.5 internal assessment and support US 5085

Year 12:

Field trip to collect data for 2.5 internal assessment (Auckland Central Business District or Waitakere Ranges)

Field trips to support the 2.1 achievement standard are also possible

Year 13:

Field trip to the Piha Drainage Basin to support the 3.1 achievement standard

Local tourism field trip to Rotorua to support the 3.2 achievement standard and internal assessments

International field trips to support the 3.2 achievement standard are also possible

Participation in regional school geography competitions is also possible.