Assistant Principals's Report

Developing Global Citizens with Inquiry

Our ongoing relationship with A/Prof Eeqbal Hassim (The University of Melbourne) has continued this term as we collaboratively reviewed and modified our Inquiry learning units for Term Two to ensure our learners are given every opportunity to develop critical global citizenship qualities. 

These units are designed as ‘Inquiries’ for students where an overarching question is posed and a learning sequence developed to build knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities that are then actioned in the ‘Transfer’ stage of learning. Typically, during a term students spent the first two-thirds of the time acquiring the knowledge and skills and the last third putting this acquisition into practice through a project carefully designed to allow them to demonstrate their learning in a real-world context.

Inquiry units allow for coverage of the Humanities, Sciences, Technologies and Capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking - Personal and Social – Intercultural - Ethical) as defined in the Victorian Curriculum. However, as a member of the Council of International Schools we design learning that goes beyond this, with an overlayed focus on global citizenship through continual development of dialogue, perspective, and communication with our learners.

Eeqbal Hassim is highly regarded as an education consultant specialising in intercultural education, international education, and global competencies development and he supports us to achieve our global citizenship aims. This relationship and the work undertaken is cutting edge and there is always a great buzz when we work with Eeqbal. The teachers are very excited about the upcoming terms learning and you will be able to read more about your child’s Inquiry unit in their Year Level Newsletters next term. 

For now, here is a sneak peek at the big questions:

Prep - How do I show respect to my environment?

Year 1 - How do my choices affect living things?

Year 2 - How might we influence the environment?

Year 3 - How do our choices impact our environment?

Year 4 - How might our use of chemicals today affect future life?

Year 5 - How might we contribute to the thriving of flora and fauna?

Year 6 - How can we ensure our own sustainability?

Curriculum Day

Our second Curriculum Day of the year was held on Tuesday 12th March and once again it was a fabulous day of learning, reflection and action.

The morning session was devoted to all staff updating their First Aid qualifications. In the afternoon non-teaching staff engaged in professional learning with a focus on building team success while teaching staff focused on The Resilience Project and data literacy.