Business

 

Business Studies is that part of the curriculum which enables the student to make informed decisions in the everyday business of living, which contributes to the student's understanding of the world of business, which encourages a positive attitude to enterprise and which develops appropriate skills in that field. The syllabus is balanced between the business education necessary for the individual/household area and business education in the purely commercial context. Business at Lynfield College encompasses four different subject areas: junior business, senior business, accounting and economics.

Junior Business Studies

This course is designed for our Year 9 and 10’S. The study of business for them is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers.
Business is influenced by and impacts on the cultural, ethical, environmental, political, and economic conditions of the day.
Issues such as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise, and globalisation are central to both business and the study of business.
The knowledge and skills gained in business studies, and exposure to enterprise culture, can help shape 'creative, energetic, and enterprising' young people (the curriculum vision statement) who will contribute to New Zealand’s economic future.
In business studies, students develop their understanding of business theory and practices in a range of relevant contexts, through experiential as well as theoretical approaches to learning.

 

Accounting

Accounting is the study of the processes of translating financial transaction data into information to assist decision-makers to make relevant, accurate and timely decisions.A study of accounting will enable students to understand the processes involved in recording, classifying, analyzing and interpreting financial information.


Links with the New Zealand Curriculum
Accounting contributes primarily to the Learning Area of Mathematics in that it enables students to collect, organise and interpret data in order to generalise from patterns and relationships, tackle problems in realistic concepts which have real life meaning and to develop logical approaches to procedures and financial decision-making. Accounting also contributes to other Learning Area in particular to Technology through the use of technological applications of spreadsheets and databases.  Accounting programmes will address the New Zealand Curriculum requirements relating to the Principles, Values, and Key Competencies (Thinking, Using language, symbols and texts, managing self, Relating to others, Participating, and contributing.

Entry Point

Accounting is offered at Lynfield in Years 11, 12 and 13.
 

Economics

Economics is the study of how people as individuals and groups satisfy their wants by allocating and managing scarce resources.A study of economics enables students to participate effectively in economic activity and contribute to their future economic well-being.  Economics issues highlight the fundamental interdependence between New Zealand and the rest of the world.

Links with the New Zealand Curriculum Framework

Economics contributes to the Essential Learning Area of Social Sciences in that it enables students to understand economic processes such as how people produce, exchange and use goods and services.  They will also gain an understanding of economic activities which are important to New Zealand and an awareness of New Zealand's dependence on marketing and trade.  Economics also contributes to the Essential Learning Area of Technology through a study of the impact of technology on decisions about the use of technology in relation to society, environment and the economy.  They will learn to appraise the potential costs and benefits of various technological applications.
The following essential skills as identified in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework are specifically acquired through a study of economics: problem-solving skills (including thinking and decision - making skills), information skills (including investigative skills), numeracy skills (including statistical skills) and communication skills.
Economics will also help students to clarify and develop their own values and beliefs and to respect and be tolerant of the values and beliefs of others.

Entry Point                                             

At Years 9 and 10 we offer a variety of programmes to enable students to achieve economics education objectives.  Economics is offered at Lynfield in Years 11, 12 and 13.

 

Senior Business Studies

Year 12

At this level, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following content to meet the standard. At Lynfield we take into account students’ prior learning in business studies and the learning progressions for Year 12, as well as their students’ diverse talents, needs, and aspirations.

Business formation

• Discuss features of organisational structures of businesses and their advantages and disadvantages.

 

Functions of business

• Develop and refine a business plan.
• Design, conduct and present market research for a product.
• Explain factors in relation to the production process and the supply chain.
• Identify growth strategies and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

People in business

• Explain motivation theories and practice.
• Explain the roles and skills of managers and leaders.
• Explain the role of trade unions and employer associations.
  Explain organisational culture.

Business management

• Use financial information for controlling, reporting, and decision making.
• Explain the need for internal controls.

Business environment

• Explain the role global trends play in business success.
• Discuss corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and philanthropy.
• Explain political, social, and technological influences on businesses.
• Explain the need for an enterprise culture in New Zealand society.
• Explain ethical issues relating to business activities.

 

Year 13

At this level, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following content to meet the standard. At Lynfield we take into account students’ prior learning in business studies and their students’ diverse talents, needs and aspirations.

Business functions

• Evaluate and recognise strategic improvements to a business plan.
• Analyse and interpret market research data.
• Explain how the components of the marketing mix interact.
• Evaluate approaches to quality control for global business.

People in business

• Analyse the human resource cycle from a strategic perspective.
• Explain the role of cultural intelligence in global markets.

Business management

• Evaluate methods used by businesses to manage change effectively.
• Evaluate a business’s need for assistance and advice.
• Evaluate a business’s strategic decisions.
• Use financial tools for forecasting.
• Explain factors affecting business location.

Business environment

• Evaluate the likely impact, on local and global business and society of operating in a sustainable manner.
• Evaluate strategies that local and central agencies could adopt to encourage business.
• Evaluate the impact of changes in the global marketplace on local businesses.
• Evaluate the role of New Zealand multinational business in the global economy and analyse its impact on the host country.
• Explain the risks and opportunities involved in expanding globally.
• Explain the role of innovation in business succ