Curriculum » Inquiry
Inquiry learning is a student-centred, active learning approach focusing on questioning, critical thinking and problem solving. Every student needs these skills so all classes are involved in our school-wide inquiry learning programme.
The inquiry learning model takes advantage of students' natural curiosity. It requires well-developed questioning skills. It helps students to develop strategies and processes for collecting and evaluating information (information literacy).
Students immerse themselves in the topic, context or situation they are studying. The topic is one that is purposeful and meaningful to our students. They investigate the location, historical background, current situation and issues and problems associated with the topic. They become highly knowledgeable on the topic before beginning their own inquiry.
In the inquiry process students develop a key question that becomes the focus of their investigation. They develop subsidary questions, plan and carry out their research, come to some conclusions, share their conclusions with others and decide how they could make change happen.
Learning is planned as a sequential, investigative process, across the traditional learning areas rather than unrelated activities taught in isolation. Social studies, science and health are taught in our inquiry learning programmes.
Each term there is a different inquiry topic. These are selected in consultation with our students.