St. Bernards College 2013 Yearbook #1 | Page 69

Economics Social Science Business planning, flipping expectations, challenging concepts and saving Kiwis Year 10 Economics studies the language of Economics. It is also a life skills future focused programme targeting essential knowledge and understanding students will need as informed consumers and businessmen. This year students studied the working of Kiwisaver and used the internet to investigate different Kiwisaver options. They also examined the different sources of income from a career perspective. Finally students embarked on a major study of how a business runs. They used their economic concepts and ideas to prepare a business plan for a product of their own creation which would have a practical use for students at St Bernard’s College. They come up with some simple and creative ideas. These included a USB unique to the College with school crest and colours, a school belt with the crest and colours, an all-inclusive stationery bag, and a school sports bag. NCEA internals. Producers and Production, and the Circular Flow of Incomes. Local Businesses have an important role to play in the business education of students and this role will increase in 2014. Faculty M acDonald’s as opposed to, the Reserve Bank. Canterbury and Victoria Universities; these places seem worlds apart, yet they have been key parts of the Economics programme. Year 12 and 13 visited Victoria University to hear an informative and humorous address by the Minister of Finance, Bill English on the 2013 Budget. They asked informed and thoughtful questions of the Minister. As extension work, two students studied a stage one paper on Micro Economics extra–murally, through Canterbury University, It has been a busy year for students of Economics, but they have stood up well to the challenges. Mr Gerry McKay HoD Social Studies Year 11 base their internal assessments around their Education Outside the Classroom experience at McDonald’s in term 2. They use the trip to gain insight into the decision making process of a business. They examined its W6P