RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Our St Joseph’s College community has undoubtedly embarked on some positive changes to new curriculum units and exploring a variety of learning ideas and teaching styles. A concept-driven approach and differentiating class exercises are our key focus areas. 

We are a Sister of Mercy College, and our Core Value this year is “Spirituality”. Our St Joseph's College community embraces Spirituality through the awareness of God and coming into contact with the holy. This encounter could be through meditation, nature engagement, and service to others. 

I want to begin with a summary of what our students are currently studying in Religious Education.

YEAR 7 

Our Year 7 students are introduced to the nature and history of St Joseph's College as a Mercy Educational Community. Students are encouraged to appreciate the work of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy in bringing the Good News of the Gospel to many young people. Students are also introduced to the Sacraments, focusing on the Eucharist. This unit allows for a divergent range of personal faith positions and the Catholic Story to our students.

YEAR 8 

By Year 8, students develop their knowledge of the Catholic tradition of faith, worship, and service. Students explore the concept of covenant in the old and new Testaments. However, Year 8 students also investigate how people try to live their lives in the ‘right relationship’ with God, self, others and creation. 

YEAR 9

In Year 9, students explore the Christian response to today's changing world confronting young people. They examine the Christian response of “environmental stewardship”. This involves working with Scripture and the Church documents that present God as a creator and humans as called to be responsible stewards of the world's resources now and for the future. 

YEAR 10

Our Year 10 cohort, students examine the area of life and death, especially from a Catholic perspective. Furthermore, we give reference to other faith traditions within this unit. Students are challenged to a “deeper understanding” of Christian life after death and the relationship of this teaching to the resurrection of Jesus. The unit includes the study of the Catholic funeral rituals and beliefs that are expressed in these rituals. Finally, students study other beliefs regarding death and life after death and compare this to the Catholic view.

YEAR 11 RE ART

This unit focuses on artworks as objects and examines how formal qualities such as art elements, materials and techniques communicate meaning utilising Religious Art as our theme. Students examine artists in different societies, cultures, and historical periods. They also develop their points of view about the meanings and messages of the studied artwork. 

YEAR 11 RELIGION AND ETHICS

Students who study this subject identify various ethical issues and analyse the reasoning, and any other influences, behind these perspectives and moral judgments. 

A significant influence on a particular ethical perspective is the method of ethical decision-making. This is made up of concepts, principles, and theories. Ethical questions are raised and connections between various philosophical traditions are explored. Students closely investigate moral values, represented in the media and popular culture.

Most importantly, students' study a detailed method of ethical decision-making in at least two religious traditions and their related philosophical traditions.

PREPARATION OF EASTER MASS

In preparation for Easter, students explore and address the season of Lent. Various religious classroom exercises are performed and cater for the “real meaning behind” Easter. Our college also participates in a “Passion Liturgy” which is conducted at the end of Term 1. Students prepare for this presentation in the final week of Term 1.

CURRICULUM PLANNING WITH BERNADETTE TOLAN

Over the past 12 months, many RE staff and myself have had the pleasure of working with Bernadette Tolan, the Secondary RE Education Officer at the Catholic Education Office in Ballarat. Our journey so far has inspired us to appreciate new ideas which can be added to our current curriculum. We are looking at issues that impact our daily lives from a local, national and world perspective whilst incorporating our Mercy Values, New Awakenings Concepts, and scriptural connections. 

We will continue this connection with Bernadette as we address each unit of work throughout the year. 

Many Blessings.

Mrs Nella O'Brien

Religious Education Learning Area Facilitator