Learning And Teaching

At St. Carlo Borromeo, our approach to learning and teaching is grounded in the Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0, which outlines the essential knowledge, understandings, and skills that students need to become successful, confident, and creative lifelong learners. We are committed to delivering a high-quality, contemporary education that prepares students to thrive in an ever-evolving 21st-century world.

We recognise each child as a unique learner with individual strengths, interests, and areas for growth. Through inclusive and differentiated practices, we ensure that all students are supported to access and progress through the curriculum. Our learning programs are designed to develop the capabilities essential for personal and academic success: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding, and Personal and Social Capability—all embedded across curriculum areas.

At St. Carlo’s, we provide a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment where students are empowered to become motivated, independent, and reflective learners. Our teaching practices reflect current research and best practice in education, promoting collaboration, inquiry, creativity, and student agency.

We use data-driven approaches to inform teaching and learning, with a strong emphasis on formative and summative assessment, targeted intervention, and personalised learning. Teachers collaboratively analyse data to set high expectations and plan responsive learning sequences tailored to the developmental needs of each student.

We follow a four-step model that supports continuous growth and success:

• Assessment – Ongoing and formal assessments in literacy, numeracy, and other curriculum areas track student learning and inform teaching decisions.

• Analysis – Data is analysed to identify individual learning needs and guide planning.

• Data-Driven Teaching – Learning programs are designed based on data to address student needs, maximise growth, and ensure equity.

• Celebrating Success – Learning is shared and celebrated regularly, both in the classroom and with families through platforms such as Seesaw and Open Classrooms.

Inquiry and Discovery  

Our Integrated Inquiry Learning Program, spanning from Foundation to Year Six, offers rich, authentic, and cross-curricular learning experiences that nurture student agency, curiosity, and a love of learning. Each term, students investigate a central conceptual focus, exploring big ideas through key learning areas such as Science, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Media Arts, Health, Technologies, and the Capabilities.

Inquiry units are designed to connect with real-world issues, current events, and student interests while meeting the achievement standards of the Victorian Curriculum. Through this approach, students develop deep conceptual understanding and essential lifelong learning skills, including collaboration, communication, research, self-management, and critical thinking.

Foundation to Year 2: Discovery Learning

In the early years, students engage in Discovery Learning—a play-based, student-led model that nurtures curiosity and develops foundational skills through hands-on experiences. Students are encouraged to follow their interests, make choices, and work with others in a supportive environment that promotes resilience, independence, and problem-solving, just a few of our learning Dispositions at St Carlo’s.

Year 3 to Year 6: Genius Time

From Year 3 onwards, students participate in Genius Time—a weekly one-hour session dedicated to passion projects. Students choose a topic they are curious about, then plan, research, create, and present their learning. These projects are aligned with our school’s learner dispositions: Curiosity, Persistence, Reflection, Creativity, Risk-taking and Collaboration.

Genius Time fosters a sense of purpose, self-direction, and pride in learning, while allowing students to demonstrate their unique talents and interests.

At St. Carlo Borromeo, we are committed to nurturing confident, capable, and compassionate learners. Our curriculum is dynamic and responsive, reflecting current educational guidelines and community needs. We empower our students to become thoughtful, active citizens who are prepared to make a positive difference in their world.