The Critical Thinking Elective is a new CEDoW course that engages and enriches high potential and gifted and talented students. The course will challenge students to build, refine, and apply skills in critical thinking and problem-solving to a range of engaging real-world contexts which will extend their knowledge, skills and learning for Stage 5.  

Last week, Year 9 students (Anwin, Xanthe, Eva-Rose and Elina) attended an immersion day for the Critical Thinking Elective. Alongside other students from across the diocese, the students engaged in learning activities aimed to develop skills in interrogating information sources, evaluating the credibility of information and evaluating the strength of evidence presented and the validity of arguments drawn. 

This interactive day included opportunities for students to work collaboratively with students from other schools. The highlight of the day was when students listened to a presentation delivered by Professor Andrew Page (Chair of Epidemiology at Western Sydney University) to learn more about critical thinking as an essential skill for conducting quality research and acting on the conclusions drawn from it. The students gained a thorough understanding of asking quality questions and recognising the difference between open and closed questions which has set them up for their Term 3 personal interest project: 

Critical analysis of an area of interest that the public has misconceptions about, and reflection on the role of media portrayal in influencing public understanding. 

At the end of the term, I look forward to sharing their research and findings in a future edition of the newsletter.

Ms Maria Ramos
MY/SY Teacher and Critical Thinking Mentor