Humanities Festival Inspires Learning
Every year, students at Citipointe from Years 7 to 9 engage in a day filled with activities related to Humanities.
In Year 7, students explore the ancient world, delving into fascinating topics such as funerary practices in Ancient Egypt, archaeology, First Nations history, and sustainable water management.
Year 8 students immerse themselves in traditional medieval games, trying their hand at sword fighting and archery. They also delve into the customs and clothing of samurai, as well as learning about the impact of the Black Plague and the connections of First Nations people to the land.
In Year 9, students examine the social and political transformations brought about by the Industrial Revolution, the journey of Australia towards nationhood, and the consequences of World War I. They also consider the potential of Australian bush tucker in addressing food security issues. Additionally, some students get the chance to contribute to the school’s environment by planting native flora for the benefit of future students and wildlife.
Students and staff can dress up as a historical character or a historical/geographical idea or concept. Students can receive prizes for best two costumes in each year level and staff too! Senior students can also dress up for house points. House points are awarded for participation.
Humanities Learning Extension & Honours
From Years 4-6, students with identified strengths in the Humanities and STEM engage with like-minded peers through the ASPIRE program. The fast pace of the classes invigorates students as they complete their year level’s curriculum in a compacted manner. This allows for additional time to participate in extension activities. They also learn more about themselves as gifted and high-achieving students.
From Year 7, high-achieving students are placed in extension classes for Humanities. Students with exceptional ability or potential in Years 7-10 are placed in Honours classes. Grouping students according to ability allows for a faster pace of instruction, greater depth of discussion and breadth of coverage within the subject.
Humanities Research Symposium for Youth (HRSY)
The Humanities Research Symposium for Youth involves Citipointe and schools from South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Citipointe hosted the 2023 symposium at the Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast. We look forward to visiting our sister school in South Korea, Bugil Academy, in July this year.
The symposium is a learning extension activity for high-achieving students in Years 10-11 with an interest in Humanities research. Each year, five groups of students are selected to present a research paper on the symposium theme at the symposium. Students attend presentations by the other schools and practise their questioning and answering skills. They also engage in team-building group activities with the students from the other schools. These include problem-solving challenges and outings to tourist destinations and significant historical and cultural sites.
Teacher profile
Citipointe employs highly qualified Christian teachers to deliver a rigorous academic program. Our students receive a high quality education, tailored to their ability, in a caring environment. This profile features our Head of Humanities, Dr Natalie Fong:
“Studying the Humanities gives us knowledge and critical thinking skills to understand the world in which we live, our God-given purpose in it, and God’s big plan for the salvation of the world revealed through His Word and through past, present and future events, people and their actions.”
She was awarded the 2021 Griffith University Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in the PhD Thesis for Arts, Education and Law. Her PhD was titled Chinese Merchants in the Northern Territory, 1880-1950: A translocal case study. Her thesis included studying her own ancestors.
Dr Fong is a Master of Arts in Victorian Studies and holds two Bachelor’s degrees. She holds one in Journalism and one in Arts in Literature and History, and a Graduate Diploma of Education. Dr Fong has studied at the University of Queensland, Griffith University, and Birkbeck College, University of London.
