From the APT&L
Dear Families
Global Concept : What can change teach us?
Throughout Term 3, students are exploring our Global Concept of Change and Transformation, investigating how change shapes our lives, communities and the world around us. Through inquiry-based learning, students continue to develop their curiosity, critical thinking and creativity while making meaningful curriculum connections.
Reception
Reception students began their inquiry through storytelling. Their learning started with a Puppet Play, where teachers used familiar stories, such as The Three Little Pigs, to spark discussion and curiosity. Students explored questions such as: What is storytelling? How can stories be shared? Why do people tell stories? From there, students will pose their own questions to guide the inquiry, with a range of resources supporting their wondering and follow-up learning.
Year 1/2
Year 1/2 students are exploring change through the lens of toys, technology and materials over time. Their inquiry focused on old and new toys, helping students understand not only how toys have changed, but also why different toys were introduced at times. Students investigated how available technology, materials and resources influenced the way toys were made and used.
As part of their learning, students participated in a provocation lesson and a special Grandparents’ Day Nostalgia Day. Grandparents shared stories from their childhoods, enjoyed afternoon tea with students and helped them create simple toys such as spinning tops and ball-in-a-cup toys. This hands-on learning connected strongly with HASS and Design and Technologies, helping students recognise how change can teach us about the past.
Year 3/4
Year 3/4 students commenced their learning journey by developing an understanding of the global challenge, Change and Transformation. Their initial focus was on exploring what change means, identifying examples of change in different contexts and making connections to themselves, others and the world around them.
Students began with discussion, visuals and questioning sparked curiosity. They unpacked key vocabulary, shared prior knowledge and developed questions that guided their deeper inquiry throughout the term.
Year 5/6
Year 5/6 students are exploring the question, “What can change teach us about ourselves?” through HASS and Religious Education.
In HASS, students are investigating civics and citizenship, including how Australia’s democratic system has evolved from Federation to the present day. They will be exploring democratic values, levels of government, citizenship, voting, representation and how people can work together to solve community problems.
In Religious Education, students explored Moral Life, including conscience as an inner guide given by God, the Ten Commandments and how people are called to make loving and just choices in right relationship with God, self, others and creation.
Through these learning experiences, students were supported to think deeply about how change shapes our lives, our choices and our world. Throughout the term, each year level demonstrated curiosity, creativity and critical thinking as they explored Change and Transformation through their own unique inquiries.
Empowering Student Agency
A key feature of our Global Concepts approach is student agency, with students encouraged to pursue their own questions, make connections across learning areas and take ownership of their learning. Throughout the term, we look forward to supporting students to demonstrate their creativity, collaboration and thoughtful inquiry as they explored the many ways change can lead to growth and transformation.
Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)
There are fewer than 30 days left to complete this year’s PRC!
Reception to Year 2 students have completed the challenge in class. Students in Years 3–6 who wish to participate will need to complete their reading at home and return the completed form to their class teacher by early September. Additional forms are available at the https://premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au/. Students will need to ensure that they have nominated which award (silver, gold, Bronze…) they are working towards in 2026.
I leave you with this quote on Change and Transformation,
“Every change teaches us something new, if we are willing to wonder, learn and grow.” Anon
Kind regards,
Melinda James