Year 11 - Commerce

The course provides students with a broad base of commerce knowledge without the need to specialise at Year 11. Students will be able to develop an understanding of the key components of the senior commerce courses of accounting and economics in order to progress to NCEA Level 2.  Year 11 commerce is an excellent option for students interested in the IB Diploma and may be looking to take one or both of IB business management and IB economics.

Students will investigate the core economic model. Through an examination of demand, supply and the market students will gain the knowledge and skill to assess the decision-making of households, producers and the government. The aim of this is to enable students to develop an understanding of why and how people, as individuals and groups, choose to satisfy their wants by allocating and managing scarce resources. It does this primarily in the context of the New Zealand economy, however, Year 11 economics allows students to transfer their knowledge to international contexts.  In so doing, it enables students to be aware of the changing nature of the economic environment and to take an effective part in economic activity and to contribute to economic well-being.

Course Overview

• Introduction to household, business and government decision-making.  The first section of the course tests how consumers respond to the economic problem of scarcity through choice and demand. It also examines the process behind the operational and strategic use of resources by producers. 
• The last section of the course introduces macroeconomic by examining the interdependence of stakeholders, as issues such as the cost of living, unemployment and the need for economic growth are discussed.

The purpose of accounting is to look at the practice of maintaining and auditing financial statements and preparing reports on the assets, liabilities and operations of a business. Accountants or financial managers must be able to diagnose and correct subtle errors or discrepancies in a company's accounts. The ability to think logically is also essential, to help with problem-solving is something that students will learn throughout this course. Understanding the accounting process is a critical guide to the proper functioning of business and set the student up for the transition into Level 2 accounting or IB business management. 

Course Overview

• The first sections of the course will teach students to process transactions of a business into journals and ledgers under a cash-based accounting system
• The second section will take students from a trial balance through to a completed set of financial statements that allow for informed financial advice and business decision-making.