Geography

Sadly, Covid-19 disruptions meant field trips had to be both postponed and then cancelled like many other events in New Zealand, which was disappointing. Learning at Alert Level 2 also meant classroom configurations did not include group collaboration – so even model making, playdough sculpting, and group competitions were put on hold. Luckily for Ms Glenny, the Geography students are a kind and resilient group of students who rolled with the punches and showed both patience and understanding for the changes that had to be made. Both Level 1 and Level 2 students completed projects based on the global pattern and impact that Covid 19 has had on different countries around the world – never has this assessment been presented before. There was no shortage of up-to-date information for this assessment, and they were even able to comment on how covid-19 has impacted their own lives as part of this. Overall, the Geography programmes were able to progress and cover a huge range of interesting topics across all three levels. Human Trafficking and Pirates on the High Sea at Level 3, while patterns of crime in Chicago due to gangs and guns was studied at Level 2. And for Level 1 Geographers – there were (sadly) many examples of Hurricanes to look at from this year alone – as well as studying Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans in 2005.

We look to 2021 with optimism to bring back the field work traditional to Geography and the inclusion of a few different topics along the way.