The Humanities are off and running with students out in the real world experiencing and learning about places, events and people relating to their subjects.  

Term 1 is associated with something of a Humanities excursion tradition: the Year 8 Geography fieldtrip to explore coastal environments at Port Phillip Bay. However, unlike in previous years, dramatic storms did not eventuate, and students were able to apply their geographical skills in fine, summer weather. 

Additionally, Year 7 History students joined the excursion parade and headed off to Melbourne Museum in the Carlton Gardens to learn about the experiences, culture, and artifacts of First Nations people as a part of their studies of Ancient History. 

Our VCE students in Unit 1 Business Management journeyed to Yakult’s production facility to learn about the manufacturing process and distribution systems. Later this term, VCE Politics students will be visiting Government House to meet with the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO, an Old Girl of St Catherine’s School, to discuss her experiences and role as the Crown’s representative in Australia. 

The Faculty has gained two new teachers who bring a wealth of teaching experience and expertise in their respective teaching areas. Mr Clint Blennerhassett is our new VCE Geography expert across Years 11 and 12 and joins our existing classroom teachers in Years 9 and 7 in teaching Humanities. Ms Nicole Horton, a former lawyer, is teaching students in VCE Legal Studies, Business Management, and our Year 10 Commerce elective. Both Ms Horton and Mr Blennerhassett are working alongside the Faculty’s existing teachers in enhancing teaching and learning across all Year levels. We are very pleased to welcome them to St Catherine’s School. 

Last year’s VCE Humanities results continued to reflect the passion and diligence of our students, as well as the expertise and support of our St Catherine’s teachers, not only in Unit 3 and 4 subjects, but preparing students for VCE in earlier years of study. The median Study Scores in all Humanities VCE subjects continued to greatly exceed those of the state and similar schools. These results reflect the hard work of all students. Additionally, many students achieved outstanding results in each Humanities subject, including Study Scores above 45. A number of students achieved the maximum possible Study Score of 50 in both Accounting and Business Management. 

Our Critical Conversations signature program in Year 9 continues into its second year in 2023. Students across the six Humanities classes are enjoying the specialised rooms and the unique oval tables of the Critical Conversations Program.  

Within this Program students lead ‘Critical Conversations’ as a structured and purposeful way of developing their speaking, listening, and reasoning skills. The conversations are based on knowledge from reading, viewing and interpretation of data covered during classes. Having practised this unique style of learning earlier in the term, the students are now working towards conversations that will consider questions such as: ‘What might be solutions to food insecurity that affects the lives of nearly one billion people today?’ and ‘Who is responsible for the impacts of fast fashion on the environment and people?’ 

This new model of learning involves teachers and students working together on developing knowledge around key challenges relating to Geography and History topics. As part of the process, students reflect on their learning and conversation dynamics are mapped by the teacher to assist students in considering not only what they bring to discussions, but how much they are involved in shaping those conversations. 

We are looking to expand the Critical Conversations approach to other Humanities subjects in 2023. We are also working across the Faculty to refine our sequencing of cognitive skills from Years 7 to VCE as systemic practices to improve student learning and skills in the Humanities.