Curriculum in Gioia House

Our teachers have been diligently preparing engaging and meaningful learning experiences for our students. Before the commencement of the term, our staff took part in a Professional Learning session with Dr  Peter Ellerton, centred on Teaching for Critical Thinking. This year, we are placing a strong focus on explicitly developing students’ critical thinking skills and encouraging them to engage with their learning in deeper, more reflective and more purposeful ways.

We have been working intentionally to embed Critical Thinking within our implementation of the new HSIE Syllabus, ensuring that students not only build strong foundational knowledge but also learn how to question, analyse and evaluate ideas. Alongside this, we continue to seek opportunities to integrate critical thinking practices across all key learning areas.

Drawing on Dr Ellerton’s work, our approach highlights the use of cognitive verbs, the development of conceptual understanding and the reflecting on values of inquiry. These elements help students engage with ideas more deliberately, reflectively and independently.

Stephanie Yiorkas
GH Curriculum Leader