Inquiry Based Learning

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Albert Einstein

St Agatha’s aims to empower students with a well-rounded knowledge and skill base. An inquiry-based classroom is a place where students are encouraged to search for answers to questions, create community links beyond the classroom, use technologies and develop deep understandings of the ideas embedded within the curriculum. 

The following learning strands from the Victorian Curriculum form the basis for units of work that students study on a two year cycle:

• Science
• The Humanities, including Geometry, History, Civics & Citizenship
• The Arts, including Visual Arts, Media, Dance and Drama
• Technologies, including Design Technology and Digital Technology
• Capabilities, including Social and Personal, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethics and Intercultural

Each term, teachers plan and implement Inquiry Unit/s, centred around broad concepts and understandings so that students will have the opportunity to develop deep questioning skills, articulation techniques, and higher-order thinking.

The inquiry process includes an opportunity for action that results from what has been learned. For example, our Year Six students hold an annual market day where they showcase their learning in designing and creating businesses that sell products to the rest of the school community. Money raised is donated to the charity of choice and is often linked to the social justice aspect of their religious education topic.

Digital Technology

Digital technologies enable students to become confident and creative developers of digital solutions.  Digital Technologies can be used to access, process, manage, present and communicate information with others. Students acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems by creating digital solutions so they can take up an active role in meeting the current and future needs of the world. 

Students at St Agatha’s develop understandings and skills that will enable them to;

• design, create, manage and evaluate sustainable and innovative digital solutions to meet and redefine current and future needs
• confidently use digital systems to efficiently and effectively automate the transformation of data into information and to creatively communicate ideas in a range of settings
• understand the implications of the use of digital technologies and their social and ethical responsibilities (cyberbullying) as users of digital technologies
• express themselves in contemporary and socially relevant ways
• communicate locally and globally to solve problems and to share knowledge

Devices are provided to the students to use while they are at school. Students have access to a range of technology including iPads, chromebooks and a variety of robotics.

Students are taught about cybersafety and each student along with their parents/carers are required to sign an ICT Acceptable User Agreement that outlines the conditions and consequences that relate to responsible, safe and respectful internet use.