The curriculum at Roslyn Primary School is developed using an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. Students learn and inquire about the world they live in by exploring and investigating ‘Topic Statements’ facilitated by the teachers. At Roslyn Primary School, the whole school will inquire into the same Topic at the same time, with each level having a different ‘Topic Statement’ to explore, based on the expected curriculum needs to cover the Victorian Curriculum standards. This allows for a rich sharing of experiences across the school.
In 2026, Roslyn Primary School students will be inquiring into the following topics:
Inquiry One – Diversity and Inclusion (P- 2), Intercultural and Ethical Capabilities (3- 6)
Inquiry Two – Earth and Space Sciences
Inquiry Three – Geography
Inquiry Four – Chemical Science
Students explore their inquiry throughout all curriculum areas when there is a natural link.
Why do we use an inquiry-approach to curriculum at Roslyn Primary School?
The benefits of an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning are widely agreed on and include;
– forming creative and critical thinkers which leads to deep understanding
– developing ‘lifelong’ skills in thinking, questioning and seeking explanations
– going beyond simply finding an answer, but engaging in questioning, reflection and thinking about how, and what they have learned, and the next step in the investigation
– engaging learners in constructing their own understandings, developing solutions to problems, and creating new innovations
– providing learners with the opportunity to reflect on prior knowledge as a starting point for learning
– providing opportunities for learners to reflect on their learning journey
– relating to the real world and having links to the life experiences of learners
– engaging learners socially through a collaborative approach to learning
– providing opportunities for the purposeful use of technologies
The inquiry-based approach to learning runs through distinct learning stages. These are tuning-in, finding out, sorting out, going further, reflection, and taking action.
At the end of each term, we hold an ‘Learning Showcase’ to showcase the learning of our students throughout the inquiry cycle. Our ‘Learning Showcase’ aims to involve the community in an authentic way by not only sharing the learning journey, but also the important issues and messages students have learned and how we, as a community, can make a difference by taking action.
To begin our school year, the students at the school work through the ‘Blast Off!’ program, which is a short three week program that sets our students up to be a healthy, safe and successful student.
We are excited to see where our inquiry learning takes us in the future!