Connected Learning 

This term we start with a 3 week Religion unit called ‘Belief, Practice and Prayer’.  Throughout this unit we use silence and meditation to relax and focus our minds at the beginning of each lesson.  Some of us still find it quite difficult to fully relax, but the majority enjoyed the opportunity to really stop and center ourselves.  

In ‘Belief’ week we searched our own hearts, looked at the Nicene Creed, the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes, and built on our understanding of our beliefs as christians.

In ‘Practice’ week we looked at our creation story and had Mr Jolley talk to us about the indigenous creation beliefs.  Students were asked to write their own creation story using what they had learned as inspiration.  Here is an example from Laragh Michael.

MY CREATION STORY

My name is Wawi. I am the Rainbow Serpent, protector and creator of the planet you call home. This is my story.

In the depths of earth, I woke. My golden eyes fluttered open and my head cleared. I was in a hole deep underground, my flashing scales coiled tightly around me. I snapped my jaws once, twice and three times together to stretch the muscles. I unravelled my spiral of rainbow scales and marvelled at their beauty. Armoured plates of every colour imaginable, surrounding my skin like an impenetrable wall.

My eyes flicked to above my head. A ceiling of earth sheltered me while I slept for too many years to count. I bared my silver teeth and started ripping at the roof of my cave. They slashed and broke through layers and layers of stone and dirt until there was no more to break through.

I broke the surface and uttered a soft hiss as my eyes adjusted to the bright light above me. The sun! I hadn’t seen it for years! It truly was very lovely, but my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when I saw the rest of the earth. It was flat, was the first thing I noticed, not a hill or mountain in sight! Then I noticed the absolute deadness of this beautiful planet. No towering trees or lush grass, no kangaroos or fuzzy wombats and no water, no clear, refreshing water at all…

I knew I just had to do something. The earth rumbled under my weight as I slithered along it, hissing and snarling my way along the length and width of the barren land. Bit by bit, animals who had been asleep for as long as I had slowly woke from their slumber and joined my on my journey around the globe.

When I got back to where I started, all the animals were back in their place and awake, aware. Insects now buzzed and birds chirped their songs. Well that was a bit of an improvement, but I still wasn’t satisfied; I made my way back to the tunnel into the ground and from underneath, I heaved the earth up, grunting and scowling as I did so.

At last emerging into the light once more, I smiled my toothy grin. The ground was no longer flat but now had mountains taller than the tallest beings, hills rising from the dust and canyons sunken into where they came from. Although happy, there was still one more thing that had to be done.

I flew around the globe, creating gushing rivers, vast oceans and thundering waterfalls. As I finished my run, I knew the earth was perfect. Now there was lush, rolling plains stretching further than the eye could see. Jade green grass blanketed the rich brown soil and the universe was teeming with life. I inhaled the scent of fresh, clean air and tangy eucalyptus trees and opened my ears to the sound of thumping kangaroo tails, scuttling of insects and small animals, trees whispering in the breeze and the lapping of calm water onto the banks.

Calm. Peaceful. Fresh. Just as the world should be. I added one more detail to the blue sky so the ones that dwell on the place that I created will not forget me. A large rainbow, perfectly depicting the scales on my body, seems to radiate happiness and I know that my job is done. For now at least, I know I must protect my planet at all costs and I will, I will do whatever it takes to keep it this perfect. I bathed in the warmth of the light and closed my eyes, resting.

My name is Wawi. I am the Rainbow Serpent, protector and creator of the planet you call home. Now you have heard my story.

In ‘Practice’ week we also set ourselves some challenges to live God’s message.  Ask your child how they are going in their personal challenges and while you’re at it, try out the 4 minute stare with them!

In ‘Prayer’ week we had an individual inquiry task to design our own prayer experiences.  Students chose their own theme and used what they’ve experienced and learned about to create something personal and for a specific audience.

Ms Mel Cramp

Leader Connected Learning and Pedagogy