Humanities

Explore how the Humanities department builds critical thinking through History, Geography and Social Studies. Students learn through real-world investigations, digital tools, and events that bring learning to life.

Last updated 30 April 2026

Humanities

The Humanities department broadens students' perspectives and develops critical thinking skills through diverse programs within and beyond the school. Utilising e-pedagogy, students engage in self-directed, collaborative humanities investigations, with many inquiry stages conducted online.

The Humanities department comprises the disciplines of History, Geography and Social Studies.

Teaching approaches
In teaching the humanities, a concept-centric approach is used. Students attain conceptual understanding and demonstrate their understanding by drawing on content knowledge to illustrate the concepts.

E-pedagogy is applied through the use of Student Learning Space (SLS) and flipped classroom to allow students to attain information before curriculum time. This information serves as prior knowledge that students utilize for the various activities and discussions during curriculum time. Teachers also utilize other ICT platforms to allow students equal opportunities to participate in class as well as receive feedback more instantly.

A chat interface showing a user question about greenhouse gases and a response from SALiS explaining climate science.

Authentic learning:
Students are actively involved in Historical Investigation (HI), Geographical Investigation (GI) Issues Investigation (II) as well as Performance Task (PT) as part of their Humanities curriculum.

Using the Inquiry process to study primary and secondary sources, students draw conclusions and present their findings using different mediums. These activities provide the opportunities for exploration and for students to collaborate as teams. They also allow the students to showcase their critical thinking skills and creativity.

A teacher in a striped shirt points over a green railing to students in white uniforms during an outdoor lesson.

Three students in white uniforms sit on a floor examining a cup of green liquid and a water bottle.

A tall man with a backpack talks to a group of young students in white uniforms inside a building.

Furthermore, the department sparks interest in the humanities by exposing students to current affairs through curated assembly talks and organising interactive events like Amazing Race and virtual tours, blending learning with competition and real-world exploration. These engage students in real-world and authentic learning, deepening their understanding of events and concepts.

Students in white uniforms gather around a blue table with QR codes and a laptop, scanning with phones outdoors.

Six students in BPGHS shirts pose outdoors, one adult holds a blue umbrella and a QR code card.

Four youths in blue shirts stand and sit near a wall with a large number 2 and water supply information text.

A tour guide wearing a hat and headset microphone gestures over a detailed city scale model indoors.

Stretching students’ potential
Students who demonstrate keen interest or potential are selected to represent the school at interschool events such as conferences, Model United Nations and competitions. Such platforms allow students to deepen their knowledge of the humanities, and also provide opportunities for students to interact with students from other schools, broadening their exposure and widening their social networks.

Five students wearing lanyards pose with peace signs under colorful triangle bunting in a green school corridor.