This semester at Tombolo Academy, our learning theme, Globalisation, The Age of Exploration and the Impact of the Silk Road, has invited students to step into the shoes of the world’s great explorers. From ancient trade routes to modern global connections, students are discovering how curiosity, courage and innovation have shaped human history and continue to shape our world today.
The Spirit of Exploration
The Age of Exploration marked a time when people looked beyond their familiar surroundings to uncover new lands, cultures and ideas. Similarly, the Silk Road served as more than a trade route. It was a pathway for sharing knowledge, inventions and traditions that transformed civilisations. By studying these moments in history, our students are learning how exploration has always been about more than travel; it’s about curiosity, connection and discovery.
At Tombolo Academy, we believe that these same qualities are essential to our students’ learning. As students investigate the theme of exploration, they are also developing their own sense of wonder, by asking questions about how the world works, how societies interact, and how they themselves fit into a global community.
Beyond the Classroom
This term’s excursions have brought the theme of exploration to life in meaningful and memorable ways.
Climbing the 1000 Steps in the Dandenong Ranges challenged students to persevere and reflect on journeys of endurance and discovery, both physical and historical. The 1000 Steps represent the “Golden Staircase”, a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers into the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. The plaques along the path are dedicated to the Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda and gave our students an opportunity for reflection, as they pushed themselves to reach the top. Students showed great resilience in making it up the mountain, before heading back down for a well-deserved lunch.
Our Beach Day in October was an opportunity for our students to connect with, and show respect to, the natural world, by participating in a community service beach clean. We are fortunate to be located close to the bay beaches, which are a valuable natural resource, and it is the responsibility of all who use them to look after them. Students feel a sense of achievement and reward from these activities and will reflect on their impact on the world around them.
Visits to the Polly Woodside and the Immigration Museum deepened students’ understanding of Australia’s maritime exploration and immigration history, with personal stories and interactive exhibits enriching their learning.
We ended the term with a fun and rewarding excursion to Gumbaya World, where students appreciated Australian wildlife and enjoyed the many rides and activities on offer.
These experiences have encouraged curiosity, connection and exploration in different forms. Each experience has provided students with opportunities to engage with the world around them, expanding their understanding of history, culture and place.
Curiosity: The Heart of Exploration
Curiosity drives our learning journey. We find joy in exploration and are eager to try new things. Developing a global awareness, we cultivate a sense of wonder and interest in understanding our place in the world.
One of our school values at Tombolo Academy is ‘Curiosity’. Through exploring global history, geography and culture, students are also exploring themselves and their strengths, interests and aspirations. As they learn about the explorers of the past, they’re inspired to become explorers of their own learning journeys, guided by curiosity and a sense of wonder about the wider world.
