Inquiry Learning

Inquiry Learning at St Bernadette’s provides opportunities for our students to become experiential learners and develop a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world and their place within it. Critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to work both independently and cooperatively with others, are skills developed through Inquiry. Students learn to link ideas and content through integrated units designed around the eight rich concepts of Science, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and The Capabilities.

Students are introduced to different thinking tools and cooperative strategies and opportunities to connect what they are learning with their lives.

Throughout each unit, students are prompted to develop questions that they have about what they are learning. During week six of each eight-week unit, students from years three to six are prompted to plan and conduct an independent inquiry into one of their questions.

Students use rubrics to guide their progress and to assess peers. Many units include an opportunity for students to share their completed project with parents and visitors.

They record a reflection, share their ideas with others or create a product to remind them of the skills and knowledge that they have gained. During the final task in each unit, students are prompted to consider how they will use what they have learnt in the future.