It’s no easy feat for teachers to oversee the establishment of one new subject in their first eight years in the profession, but Floriana Torelli has successfully overseen the introduction of two at Cairns State High School (CSHS).

Floriana's work in developing the Psychology and Italian Immersion programs promote skills and knowledge that extend far beyond the classroom and are proving to be a big hit with students.

Initially, Ms Torelli contributed to the creation and implementation of a Psychology program for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and then the QCAA syllabus, before bringing it to CSHS with great success.

The subject gives students the chance to develop their critical thinking skills and deeply reflect on pertinent real-world scenarios.

“Although teenagers are socially driven, they can be unaware of dynamics such as groupthink, the bystander effect and mob mentality among others,” she said.

“The study of psychology can really help our students become flexible, collaborative, empathetic and global-minded citizens.”

Students are immersed in classic studies such as the Stanford Prison Experiment, which explores the effects of situational variables on participants, and the Robbers Cave Experiment - regarded as a ‘real-life Lord of the Flies’. It’s the norm for students to freely share their opinions, followed by lively discussions about ethics.

Due to its popularity, two classes are now offered per year level for years 10-12.

Through her training at the University of Melbourne in Content and Language Integrated Learning, Ms Torelli was also instrumental in the development of the school's popular Italian Immersion program.

Teaching History and Geography in Italian in grades 7-9 is a crucial component, and the benefits are far-reaching.

“It comes in terms of their capability to focus and multitask, long-term memory, cultural competence and empathy,” she said.

The Immersion Program also saw Ms Torelli and a colleague participate in a research practitioner program and publish a paper, with findings presented at the Modern Languages Teacher Association of Queensland’s (MLTAQ) 2022 conference.

A growing number of students now compete in Italian speaking competitions, have had their work published in Italian-Australian newspapers, and will take part in the first Italian festival in Cairns later this year, where she serves on the organising committee.

In their own words, students described the value of the program.

“I particularly like the rewarding feeling after a few lessons where I really understood when our teacher spoke in Italian while teaching History,” said one student.

“I was pushed to do my best work and to really think and multitask,” said another.

Ms Torelli received the Modern Language Teacher Association of Queensland Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019.

School leadership staff praised her unwavering commitment to quality teaching and students' success.

Ms Torelli is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in the Excellence in Teaching category.

Winners will be announced October 27th, on the eve of World Teachers’ Day in Queensland.