Social Sciences Progression Framework

Years 7-13 Learning Pathways | Te Ara Mātauranga-ā-Iwi

A comprehensive framework that maps social sciences learning from Year 7 through Year 13, integrating mātauranga Māori with contemporary social sciences to develop critical thinkers, cultural leaders, and agents of positive change.

Our Vision: Rangatahi as Transformational Leaders

By Year 13, our rangatahi will be confident cultural practitioners, critical social analysts, and innovative leaders capable of navigating complex social challenges with integrity, wisdom, and collaborative spirit.

"Mā te huruhuru ka rere ai te manu" - Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly

Ngā Mātāpono - Core Principles

Cultural Foundation

All learning begins with and returns to mātauranga Māori, ensuring students develop strong cultural identity alongside academic knowledge.

Critical Analysis

Students learn to question dominant narratives, analyze power structures, and develop independent critical thinking capabilities.

Action Orientation

Learning is connected to real-world application through community engagement, advocacy, and social innovation projects.

Years 7-9: Te Tūāpapa - Foundation Phase

Phase Overview

Students develop foundational understanding of Te Ao Māori, basic social analysis skills, and connection to community. They learn to see themselves as part of larger social systems and begin developing agency.

Year 7: Identity & Belonging

  • Unit 1: Te Ao Māori - Cultural identity and whakapapa
  • Key Skills: Personal reflection, basic Te Reo, community connections
  • Assessment: Identity portfolio, whānau interviews
  • Cross-Curricular: Arts expression, English storytelling

Year 8: Systems & Relationships

  • Unit 2: Decolonized History - Understanding power and resistance
  • Key Skills: Historical analysis, perspective-taking, timeline construction
  • Assessment: Alternative history projects, primary source analysis
  • Cross-Curricular: Mathematics data analysis, Science observation methods

Year 9: Knowledge Systems

  • Unit 3: STEM + Mātauranga - Traditional and contemporary knowledge
  • Key Skills: Scientific inquiry, environmental observation, innovation design
  • Assessment: Community science projects, traditional knowledge research
  • Cross-Curricular: Science integration, Technology design, Geography fieldwork

Years 10-11: Te Tipu - Development Phase

Phase Overview

Students deepen their critical analysis capabilities, engage with complex social issues, and begin developing expertise in areas of personal interest. They take on leadership roles in school and community.

Year 10: Economic Justice & Systems Analysis

Unit 4: Economic Justice & Rangatiratanga

Students analyze economic systems, understand wealth inequality, and explore Māori economic models as alternatives to capitalism.

Key Skills:
  • Data analysis and statistical literacy
  • Policy analysis and critique
  • Economic modeling and future scenarios
  • Community economic research
Assessment: Economic justice research projects, alternative economic model designs, community presentations

Year 11: Global Connections & Solidarity

Unit 5: Global Indigenous Solidarity

Students explore transnational Indigenous movements, understanding shared struggles and collaborative resistance to colonialism globally.

Key Skills:
  • Comparative cultural analysis
  • Global systems thinking
  • Media literacy and representation analysis
  • Digital activism and organizing
Assessment: Global Indigenous movement research, solidarity action campaigns, cross-cultural dialogue projects

Years 12-13: Te Rangatiratanga - Leadership Phase

Phase Overview

Students become confident leaders, innovators, and change agents. They design and implement real-world solutions to social challenges while maintaining strong cultural connections and collaborative approaches.

Year 12: Innovation & Social Enterprise

Unit 6: Future Rangatiratanga - Part 1

Students develop visionary thinking, innovation methodologies, and social entrepreneurship skills while maintaining cultural grounding.

Advanced Skills:
  • Design thinking and human-centered innovation
  • Social enterprise development
  • Digital sovereignty and ethical technology
  • Policy development and advocacy
Assessment: Social innovation projects, business plan development, community partnership initiatives

Year 13: Leadership & Implementation

Unit 6: Future Rangatiratanga - Part 2

Students implement major capstone projects, demonstrate leadership capabilities, and commit to ongoing community engagement beyond school.

Leadership Competencies:
  • Collaborative leadership and consensus building
  • Conflict resolution and restorative justice
  • Project management and impact evaluation
  • Mentorship and knowledge transfer
Capstone: Major community action projects, leadership portfolio, ongoing organizational commitments

Ngā Hononga - Cross-Curricular Integration

English & Literacy

  • • Critical media analysis
  • • Persuasive writing for advocacy
  • • Oral communication and debate
  • • Research methodology
  • • Storytelling for social change

Mathematics & Data

  • • Statistical analysis of social data
  • • Economic modeling
  • • Survey design and analysis
  • • Probability and risk assessment
  • • Geometric patterns in culture

Science & Technology

  • • Environmental monitoring
  • • Traditional ecological knowledge
  • • Digital tools for organizing
  • • Sustainable technology design
  • • Health and wellness research

Arts & Creative Expression

  • • Cultural performance and haka
  • • Visual arts for activism
  • • Documentary film production
  • • Digital media and design
  • • Creative writing and poetry

Aromatawai Philosophy - Assessment Approaches

Māori Assessment Values

  • Whakatōhea: Collective achievement and peer learning
  • Whakapapa: Connection to community and culture
  • Manaakitanga: Caring for others through learning
  • Mauri ora: Holistic wellbeing and growth

Assessment Methods

  • Portfolio Development: Ongoing documentation of learning journey
  • Community Presentations: Sharing learning with whānau and community
  • Action Projects: Real-world application and impact
  • Peer Teaching: Students teaching and mentoring others

Te Akenga Matua - Graduate Profile

A Mangakōtukutuku Graduate Will Be:

Culturally Grounded

Strong in their Māori identity, knowledgeable about tikanga, confident in cultural spaces

Critically Conscious

Able to analyze power structures, question dominant narratives, think independently

Collaborative Leaders

Skilled in consensus building, conflict resolution, collective decision-making

Innovative Problem-Solvers

Creative in addressing social challenges, entrepreneurial in approach, solution-oriented

Community Connected

Committed to ongoing community engagement, responsive to collective needs

Globally Aware

Understanding global systems, connected to Indigenous solidarity movements worldwide

Implementation & Next Steps

Immediate Actions for LF Team Collaboration

Week 1-2: Cross-Curricular Integration

  • • Share frameworks with LF_English, LF_STEM, LF_TheArts
  • • Coordinate assessment approaches with LF_LiteracyNumeracy
  • • Align cultural protocols with LF_Te_Ao_Māori

Week 3-4: Kaiako Collaboration

  • • Detailed unit development with specialist Kaiako
  • • Community partnership coordination
  • • Resource development and sharing