Inquiry

At Clayton North Primary School, Inquiry is an engaging learning program that supports students to understand themselves, their community and the world around them. Through meaningful topics and real-world contexts, students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, solve problems, think critically and make connections between different areas of learning. Inquiry experiences also provide opportunities for students to draw on the knowledge and skills they develop in English and Mathematics, applying these skills in meaningful contexts to deepen their understanding.

The program brings together learning from the Humanities and Health, with the four Capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural, and Personal and Social Capability — embedded throughout. These capabilities support students to question and analyse information, consider different perspectives, make informed decisions, work collaboratively and reflect on their learning and interactions with others.

Students also explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, developing an understanding of Australia’s history, cultures and connection to Country, while building respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land.

In Foundation, students begin developing their understanding of themselves, their families, relationships and the world around them through Health, History and Geography. Across Years 1–2, this learning is further developed through a two-year cycle of Health, History and Geography, exploring people, places, communities, environments and changes over time. From Years 3–4, students build on this knowledge through the addition of Civics and Citizenship, exploring communities, government, democracy, rights and responsibilities. As students move into the senior years of Years 5–6, they further extend their learning through Economics and Business, exploring concepts such as money, resources, work, businesses and economic decision-making.

Inquiry units are carefully planned across two-year cycles for Years 1–2, Years 3–4 and Years 5–6, ensuring students experience a broad range of curriculum content and rich learning experiences as they progress through the school.