Quest: Stories that shape us

Elective Unit

Unit Description

Quest: Stories That Shape Us is a semester-long CARE subject designed to help students discover how stories—whether from ancient legends, sacred texts, history, media, or their own lives—shape who we are and what we believe. Students will explore a rich tapestry of narratives across time and culture, examining how meaning is made and how stories can influence our values, identity, and worldview.

Through narrative inquiry, students will engage with historical events, cultural movements, and contemporary media while reflecting on their own spiritual journey. By analysing medieval heroes, modern celebrities, and everyday people, they will consider whose voices are heard, what messages are promoted, and how stories of hope, justice, change, and redemption continue to shape society.

The course encourages critical and creative thinking through activities such as mapping classic narratives, critiquing popular culture, and crafting their own personal stories. Students will develop empathy and understanding as they explore diverse perspectives and practise respectful dialogue about faith, truth, and meaning.

By the end of the unit, students will have a deeper awareness of how stories shape both individual lives and communities—and will be empowered to communicate their own story with insight and authenticity.

Areas of Study

Stories of the Past & Our Culture
In this unit, students investigate the power of stories to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world. By exploring historical narratives and examining voices from different times and cultures, they consider what we can learn from the past. Students then shift their focus to modern storytelling, analysing how pop culture and media influence contemporary values and perspectives. These skills are demonstrated through the Pop Culture Critique assessment, where students critically evaluate a modern media story and its impact.

Stories of Society & Self
This unit centres on the stories that shape our lives today. Students analyse current societal narratives, explore themes of change, growth, and redemption, and reflect on their own experiences and identity. Building on these insights, they craft and share their own meaningful stories in a Creative Storytelling Project, demonstrating their ability to communicate ideas, express personal meaning, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Assessment

• Pop Culture Critique
• Creative storytelling project