Episode description

Professor John Quay is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Education

Rhian ap Rees is the Assistant Principal at Auburn South Primary School

Darian Hunte is the Year 4 Teacher at Auburn South Primary School

For the first episode of season 9, Dr Sophie Specjal explores curriculum design and unit planning with Auburn South Primary School’s Rhian ap Rees and Darien Hunte, alongside Professor John Quay from the Faculty of Education. They unpack a framework designed by Professor Quay, that blends backward design with inquiry-based learning to centre on student interests and teacher agency. Rhian and Darien share practical classroom examples, highlighting how creative, collaborative planning can boost students’ motivation and engagement.