Religious Education

Year 12 Religion and Society

Religion and Society 3-4 is a big step up from Year 11 Religion, but it's what I’m interested in, and I’ve been amazed about what I had to learn about how Religion works. We started off learning the purpose and meaning of Religion, and how much Religion has influenced the society we live in today. We revised the Nine Aspects of Religion, and discussed the purpose of life, which includes the idea of Ultimate Reality. We learned more in-depth about the beliefs of the Catholic Church, and how they aid in the search for meaning. I didn’t think that it would take me 12 years to realise that Christianity is about Love, and to be like Christ. As of now we’re researching the El Salvadoran Arch-bishop, St. Oscar Romero. He’s inspirational and uplifting, it’s Religion’s interrelationship with Society packed into a martyr’s story. If you’re interested in Social Studies or Humanities, I suggest Religion and Society as a subject to study in Year 12.

Cathal Brooks

Year 11 Text and Traditions

This term in Religious Education, Year 11 students have been exploring the work of Martin Luther King, and how he was influenced by his Christian faith and ideals to push forward with the influential Civil Rights Movement in  America. The students analysed various speeches made by Martin Luther King and explored the key Christian beliefs throughout; equality, justice, freedom from oppression. The students watched the film SELMA to get an idea of just how powerful Martin Luther King’s non-violent approach was in bringing about legal and structural change. The students were invited to consider other injustices in various parts of the world today, and what we as Lasallians can do to help. 

Ms Connolly

Year 10 RE-Our Common Home

In our study of Religion, we have explored the deeply rooted issues of systemic racism against Indigenous Australians, which has had far-reaching and detrimental consequences. Through the thought-provoking documentary featuring Adam Goodes, we examined instances of racism driven by ignorance and Fear of the unknown. Our exploration expanded to encompass the experiences of Aboriginal Peoples since the colonization by European settlers in the early 1800s. We learned about the enduring struggle of the Indigenous Rights Movement, which arose in response to atrocities like the Stolen Generation, where over 50,000 children were stolen from their families and assimilated into missions and institutions. Furthermore, our study of diverse creation stories, ranging from biblical accounts like Genesis and the Agganna Sutta, to scientific theories like the Big Bang, revealed intriguing similarities that centred around the idea of cause and effect. This study has deepened our understanding of systemic racism, highlighted the resilience of Indigenous communities, and shed light on the universal elements found within creation stories, promoting empathy and a broader perspective.

Brody, Lachlan and Julian, Year 10.1

RE - Bentleigh East

Semester 1 has been an extremely busy time for us but the campus so far has been filled with the vibrant enthusiasm and energy of our students. We were very pleased to welcome Kyle and Liam as Youth Ministers and thank them for their efforts with Year 8 Retreats and currently Year 7 Retreats, which allow the students some much needed time for reflection, prayer and naturally fun.

We were blessed with a visit from Br Armin, Br Tim and Br Chris at the end of Term 1. A group of campus student leaders engaged our special visitors with a wonderful range of questions about their vocations, work and lives as Brothers. The conversation was insightful and had a deep impact on the students. We had the first of our Year Level Masses with Year 8 students, celebrated by Fr Brian Collins.

We have had the opportunity to celebrate St Miguel in February and more recently De La Salle with a wonderful college liturgical celebration to mark Founder’s Day. Our other major event was Mission Action Day.

In the RE Classroom we have studied a variety of topics: Identity and Belonging at Year 7, Jesus the Faithful Jew at Year 8, Christian Discipleship at Year 9. At Year 9 we have also launched The Rite Journey Programme. A new programme which explores the journey from childhood to adolescent manhood. We are delighted to welcome, Mr Dominic Beale to our Religious Education Team.

Below are some reflections from the students.

Year 9

The Right Journey has created an open atmosphere where us students can be free and talk without judgement. The process allows students to learn new things about each other and creates a safe space for not only serious but fun activities.  

Angus Bloomfield 9.1B

The Rite Journey is a safe place where we can talk about issues that people have. 

We share and contribute and all listen to each other with open ears.

We get around and make everyone feel like they are a part of St Bede’s. When we come together each Monday we are a community. 

Angus Liddell 9.1B

Year 8

During Term One, each Year 8 class had a retreat day. A retreat day is where we look at our community and how we can be involved in our community especially the St Bede’s College Community. We played multiple games and participated in numerous activities. Retreat day was a great time to look at the different communities we are part of. 

Joel Crothers 8.3B

Year 7

My thoughts on Founders’ Day Mass exceeded my expectations. It was lively, loud, and the whole college was connected. The day was very well structured, with two different sections of the day. First, we started with prayers, then different prayers in different languages, and then we had communion and sung songs. The languages impressed me greatly, and the songs lifted my spirit. The day was very interesting, and overall, it was a great experience. My favourite thing about Founders’ Day Mass was probably the singing and the languages.

Campbell Black 7.2B

My thoughts on the Founder’s Day Mass. I was pleasantly surprised with the organisation and the readings of students in different languages were very well spoken and the hymns were wonderfully sung. Overall, I really enjoyed the Founder’s Day Mass.

Thomas Bree 7.2B

On Thursday we had our Retreat Day doing a bit of everything. We were finding our Lasallian schools. We were playing some games, overall it was really fun!  

Samuel Pickering 7.1B