Events

Fieldwork is an essential element of geography, and is an area where many teachers feel a little apprehensive. But this is nervousness that needs to be overcome, because the collection, collation and analysis of data is a central element of geography and geographic information systems, and are vital skills that lead to genuine employment pathways. This session will introduce approaches to both fieldwork, and how students can be exposed to some initial GIS skills that will help them to understand how we can use spatial data to solve real world problems. We will start local, by looking at fieldwork that can be undertaken in your school, and how we can use free GIS tools like Felt.com to build skills in an engaging (and non-threatening way)! Come along on Saturday May 2 2026 to improve your skills as a teacher of geography! Location to be advised, but morning tea will be provided! Free for GHTANT members, $15 for non members. Consider joining if you aren't a member! Venue to be advised: it will be in Darwin.

Session Blurbs Explicitly Teaching Inquiry Presenter: Loraine Caldwell Explicit Direct Instruction and inquiry-based learning are in some ways the antithesis of each other. However, utilising EDI strategies can make students more confident and capable of undertaking research and inquiry tasks. This workshop will explore strategies to support students to master the foundation skills required to develop the higher order thinking required to successfully complete their own investigations. General Capabilities in action: Designing Meaningful HASS Learning Presenter: Nelly Labiche This session explores ways to embed the General Capabilities within Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS). Participants will deepen their understanding of how this dimension of the curriculum can be authentically integrated into both formative and summative HASS tasks. Teachers will learn how to design learning experiences that build students’ disciplinary knowledge while strengthening the transferable skills. Addressing antisemitism in the education setting Presenter: Justin Zammit This session focuses on addressing antisemitism in school settings and on teaching the Holocaust safely, respectfully, and professionally. Participants will explore age‑appropriate strategies for building students’ historical understanding while fostering empathy and critical awareness to help them navigate the complexities of the contemporary world.

GHTANT would like to invite our members who are teaching geography (or who have a strong passion for geography) to meet for a coffee to discuss the professional learning we can offer during the year. Our first conference had a history focus, so we'll put together a similar event for geography teachers in Term 2. But before we do that, we'd like to check in with members to identify areas of interest and need. If you can't make it but would like to contribute ideas, please email them to hello@ghtant.org.au  Coffee provided!

Join us for a free meet-and-greet for GHTANT members and other associations.  ACPHER and STANT have arranged a social catch up at the Darwin Ski Club on 19 March, and have invited other associations to join them. GHTANT will book a table. There is no cost and some non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles will be provided.  We'd love to see you there!

Details of the sessions Scaffolding Success: Using the ALARM Matrix to Develop Analysis and Extended Responses. Presenter: Tully MacPherson. This professional development session explores how the ALARM (A Learning and Responding Matrix) framework can be used to explicitly teach analytical thinking and extended response writing in HASS classrooms. Using historical case studies, the presentation demonstrates how ALARM supports students to move beyond narrative and description toward sustained, evidence-based analysis. Teachers will unpack the matrix, examine model responses, and engage with practical classroom strategies for scaffolding higher-order thinking, improving paragraph structure, and lifting the quality of student writing across stages. The session equips teachers with clear, transferable approaches to develop confident analytical thinkers and writers in HASS. Practical History: Using archaeological methodology in the classroom Presenter: Aaron Chettle In this session, the presenter will draw from their academic and professional fieldwork and lab experiences to reveal the variety of ways in which they have crafted various lessons that build understanding through practical approaches. Teaching about antisemitism and the Holocaust Presenter: Justin Zammit This session deals with teaching/combating antisemitism in the classroom and teaching the Holocaust safely and professionally through the use of themes, concepts and sources. The presenter will also show attendees approaches to a school excursion at the new Holocaust Museum in Darwin. Embedding the National History Challenge in the curriculum Presenter: Loraine Caldwell The National History Challenge is a free, inquiry focused competition open to students from upper primary to Year 12. Students compete within their year levels and may also be eligible for special categories. This year’s theme is “Voices”. Join NT NHC Coordinator Loraine Caldwell to unpack the theme using both the Australian and SACE curricular to develop an assessment task that will double as an entry to the National History Challenge. Become a member here: GHTANT | TidyHQ

As the academic year draws to a close, we invite you to a dedicated morning of reflection, collaboration, and forward-thinking practice. This event offers a range of workshops for primary and secondary Humanities and English teachers. This event will give you the chance to meet other teachers and expand your network, providing valuable assistance for teaching in 2026 and beyond. We'd love to see you there! Tickets are free for members, including those from a school with an institutional membership. Non-member fee is $10 to cover the cost of catering.  Sessions include: Embedding local issues in HASS programs for meaningful learning (Presenter: Bae Hooper) Frontier Violence in Sydney (Presenter: Tully MacPherson)