For years 8 and 9 the subjects of geography and history are combined into the one subject of environment and society.

Year 8

Topics covered include:

• Geographical Skills –latitude and longitude, continents and oceans and map skills.
• Classification of Geographical Features – human and physical features and identification.
• Historical features – time and sources as well as timelines.
• Graphs and Enquiry skills – collecting primary data and constructing graphs, analyzing and interpreting data.
• My Identity Project – research and managing information about family and place.
• Normans and Medieval Life – battle of Hastings, castles, Norman conquest of Ireland.
• Settlement – patterns, process of urbanization, hierarchies.
• Castlefergus Castle Project.

Year 9

Topics covered include:

• Learning NI Online Project on Kenya – attracting tourists to Kenya, tribal lifestyles, migration, development indicators.
• Reformation – the role of Martin Luther and Henry VIII, consequences of the reformation.
• Tudors – Elizabeth I.
• Plantation of Ireland – Cromwell’s actions, legacy of the Williamite wars.
• Economic activities – primary, secondary and tertiary activities, global warming, renewable energy. There is also a study of and a trip to the Marble Arch Caves.

In Year 10 the subjects are divided again into the two separate subjects of geography and history. To view the information on the history department please visit the history department page here.

MediaScape

Pupils from 8/06 are currently involved in creating a game using the mediascapes tool.  They enjoyed an afternoon of instruction with Mediascape experts who introduced them to the toolkit and they had the opportunity to try out a game using PDA’s (hand held computers) in the school grounds.  A mediascape uses GPS (the same as satellite navigation) and creates a digital world on top of a real environment.  Their aim is to develop a game on recycling that other pupils in the school can use as a fun learning experience.  This project is cross curricular and involves the environment and society, science and ICT departments.

Department Staff

HOD (Geography):

Mrs A Mackin

HOD (History):

Mr E McCaffery

Mrs A M Murray

Mr D McKenna

Mrs B Cunningham

Mr N McArdle

Mr M Canavan