Inquiry

The Term Three guiding question for Inquiry is, ‘How are rites of passage celebrated?’ Students will relate their learning to Global Goal 17. Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasises supportive, innovative and empathetic cooperation between different groups and communities. To connect with Rites of Passage and Year 6 Graduation, they will investigate how people with diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate education and achievement. Students will unpack the 21st Century, transcultural skills needed to be able to respectfully and productively navigate these situations where a range of values, beliefs and attitudes intersect. They will ultimately transfer their learning, by applying Student Voice to advocate meaningful changes to the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, so that it embraces the values, beliefs and culture within the Year 6 community. 

Furthermore, Inquiry will serve as the ‘glue’ that binds all the other learning areas, with plans for numerous opportunities to make connections between different disciplines in the curriculum. In relation to English, students will explore the role that storytelling (narrative stories and poetry) plays in different cultures and communities. They will make connections to The Arts: Dance aspect of the curriculum, by investigating dance has evolved to embody aspects of self-expression, storytelling and culture. To correspond with the Financial Mathematics unit of learning, students will examine financial concepts in the context of issues within local and global economies. In connection to YCDI, a continued focus on leadership, student voice and respectful collaboration aims to promote a deeper sense of active citizenship and participation within the school community. Coupled with their strengthening of intercultural understanding through Inquiry, we aim for these cross-curriculum connections to foster a more critical consciousness of a globalised world and its opportunities and issues. 

 Key vocabulary for Inquiry: value, community, rite of passage, global citizenship, transcultural 

If you wish to support your child’s learning in Inquiry this term, you can: 

• Discuss the different communities and groups that you and your child are part of. What do the communities and groups you are part of value? How do they show or express that? 
• Discuss rites of passage, rituals and celebrations that are connected to your culture or beliefs. Share photos or personal stories if possible. What meanings and values do they embody and why are they conducted?