Social Sciences

Our Team

HOL: Rebecca Rumbal

Teaching staff and specialties:

Miss Spencer — Social Studies, Tourism
Ms Rumbal — History, Social Studies
Mrs Macfarlane — Psychology

Our teachers bring expertise, passion, and genuine care to everything they do — helping every student to grow, question, and achieve.

ASPIRE — Our Purpose

The Social Sciences Department brings together History, Social Studies, Psychology, and Tourism to help students make sense of the real world they are growing up in.
At William Colenso College, we focus on the human world — what makes us tick, why the world is the way it is, and where we can go within it. We believe every student deserves learning that is real and relevant to their lives.
We want students to aspire to be informed, thoughtful, socially-aware young people who understand the world, take part in it, and work to shape it for the better. Our courses support the school’s vision by building confident learners who belong and can achieve.

ACT — Teaching, Learning & Support

What and how students learn

Students learn through engaging, interactive tasks and hands-on learning experiences that build both knowledge and skills. Our teaching connects classroom learning to real events, real people, and real social issues.

Junior learning (Years 9–10):

Students explore Social Studies through current issues, power, identity, and decision-making. They begin developing critical thinking and research skills that carry through all senior subjects.

Senior courses (Years 11–13):

Students can specialise in History, Psychology, and/or Tourism at NCEA Levels 1–3, choosing pathways that match their interests and future goals.

Assessment & feedback

Assessment is designed to support growth and next steps. We use a mix of internal and external NCEA assessments, with clear feedback that helps students understand where they are and how to improve.
Teachers provide regular, targeted feedback through class discussions, written comments, and one-to-one conversations so every student knows what to work on next.

Support & extension

We are committed to inclusive and challenging learning. Support is available for students who need additional scaffolding, and extension opportunities are offered for students ready to go further. No matter where a student starts, we work to help them make progress.

ACHIEVE — Pathways & Outcomes

Senior course options

Students can pursue NCEA qualifications in History, Psychology, and Tourism at Levels 1, 2, and 3, with pathways into University Entrance for high achievers.

Subject Selection Booklet - Pages 10 & 11

Skills students develop

Critical thinking — question assumptions, analyse evidence, and form informed opinions
Research and communication — write clearly, argue persuasively, and present with confidence
Empathy and cultural awareness — understand diverse perspectives and social contexts
Problem-solving and analysis — apply knowledge to real-world situations

Pathways beyond school

Learning in the Social Sciences Department opens doors to a wide range of futures. Students have gone on to careers and further study in health, law, teaching, counselling, criminal justice, research, social work, tourism, and more.

Opportunities beyond the classroom

We look for opportunities to connect students with the wider community and the real world — bringing our curriculum to life beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Working in Partnership

We value strong partnerships with whānau and families. You can support your child’s learning by encouraging regular attendance, celebrating their effort and progress, and maintaining open communication with their teachers.
When home and school work together, students thrive. We welcome your questions, feedback, and involvement — please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Supporters and Sponsors

Parents, please support our local businesses