Teacher Training 2026

Teacher Training 2026

Introduction to the Community of Inquiry Training

SEMESTER ONE 

May 2026 - Day 1 - 3rd May, Day 2 - 17th May, Day 3 - 31st May.

SEMESTER TWO

October/November 2026 - Day 1 - 18th Oct, Day 2 - 8th Nov, Day 3 - 22nd Oct.

Day 3 is an optional assessment day for certification; however, many participants consider it the best day.

The Introduction to Community of Inquiry course is designed for educators who would like to implement Philosophy for Children in their practice. It is a powerful pedagogical approach that deepens student understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them. The course is open to all educators who want to develop, among other skills, their students' abilities in speaking, listening, critical thinking and ethical capabilities.

Over the three days, you'll learn how to:

• encourage philosophical questioning and dialogue

• develop an understanding of conceptual thinking and concept tools

• facilitate a Community of Inquiry in your classroom

• develop the ability to turn almost any object into a thought provoking stimulus to engage in rich dialogue

   

FACILITATED BY OUR VAPS AND FAPSA CERTIFIED TEACHER EDUCATORS:

Bonnie Zuidland: Bonnie is a secondary teacher with over 19 years of classroom experience. She currently teaches philosophy at Ballarat HS. She has been a VAPS and FAPSA teacher trainer and curriculum developer for 10 years, with a focus on the Ethical Capabilities. She regularly presents at conferences on Community of Inquiry and issues surrounding P4C, philosophical dialogue and ethics in the classroom. She has taught Critical Thinking in the Curriculum at the University of Melbourne and an Introduction to Community of Inquiry for teachers in Hong Kong.

Jill Howells: Jill is an educator with a long history in Philosophy for Children. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and served as Assistant Principal at Brunswick East Primary School, implementing a philosophical approach to learning across the curriculum. Brunswick East PS is a lighthouse school and, as a result of Jill's work, has become the go-to school for other educators (including overseas visitors) to visit and learn best practices. Jill has presented on P4C, with an emphasis on the teacher's role as facilitator, at numerous conferences in Australia and overseas. She has also coached and led Professional Learning sessions for teachers, in P4C.

Jake Muir: Jake is a teacher at Preston High School (on leave) where he was the Head of Philosophical Thinking, overseeing the implementation of the Community of Inquiry approach and embedding a Philosophical approach to teaching. He is also completing research at the University of Melbourne, focusing on student agency.

Training takes place at a School Venue (TBC) for Days 1 & 2, and a public site selected by participants, typically the Melbourne Museum, NGV or ACMI for Day 3.

Please sign up via this form.

Contact Bonnie Zuidland for further enquiries.

This FAPSA-accredited workshop delivered by VAPS is endorsed by the UNESCO Chair on the Practice of Philosophy with Children, based at the Université de Nantes in France.

ADVANCED PRACTICE - Community of Inquiry

DATE - Tuesday 30 Sept, Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2, October

VENUE - TBC - But likely to be held at the University of Melbourne

This is for educators that have completed the Introduction to CoI Course and have been in the classroom implementing this practice and now want to enhance their capabilities, dig deeper in the theory and practice. 

It is a requirement that anyone wishing to go onto the FAPSA Teacher Educator Course MUST complete the Advanced Practice course (see our report on the FAPSA Teacher Educator Course).

Costs and locations are in progress.

Please sign up via this form.

Contact Bonnie Zuidland for further enquiries.