Education in Faith

Peace - 2026 Theme

Our theme for the year is 'Peace'. At OLA, we have spent time unpacking one theme a year (love, kindness, joy, courage, hope) and we are at our final theme in 2026. The idea is that students will finish their Grade 6 year with the same theme they explored in Prep - a full circle moment!

When speaking with the children, we are encouraging them to think of peace in two ways:

1. Peace is living in harmony and not fighting with others. If everyone in the world were peaceful, this would be a peaceful world.
2. Peace can also involve being quiet inside. Peace is a calm and relaxed state of mind. Peace consists of positive thoughts and good wishes.

Each class has a peace candle and is working on a peace prayer mat as part of their Visual Art classes with Mrs Hudson. We will have many opportunities throughout the year to unpack what it means to be peaceful. 

Opening School Year and Staff Commissioning Mass

This Thursday 5 February we had our Opening School Year and Staff Commissioning Mass with the whole school. This was a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community, celebrate in hope for the year ahead, commission our staff for the 2026 school year, and bless the Grade 6 Leadership Badges which will be presented next week. 

We are so proud of our students for the reverence and openness to participate - we love their beautiful singing voices!

2026 Religious Education

Our teachers work hard to integrate Religious Education (RE) and Inquiry topics where possible. By working under one topic in both areas, we establish stronger connections and deeper learning for the students. A key aspect of curriculum design in a Catholic school is to challenge learners to explore and consider deep questions and big ideas. 

An inquiry based approach to learning invites student voice in shaping their curriculum. Learning is driven by the area of need, and interests and wonderings of the students in that grade level. We will continue to work with Kate Korber from The Inquiry Project to further develop our work in this area. 

For 2026, the topics will be as follows:

Term 1 - Responsibility

SWELL

RE - Church & Community (Prep) Morality & Justice (Grade 1-6)

Inquiry - History (Prep) Health (Grade 1/2) Civics & Citizenship (Grade 3-6)

Term 2 - Creation is All Around Us

RE - God, Religion and Life

Inquiry - Biological Science (Prep) Earth & Space Science (Grade 1-6) Geography (Grade 5/6)

Term 3 - Our Stories

RE - Prayer, Liturgy and Sacrament (Prep) Scripture & Jesus (Grade 1-6)

Inquiry - Geography (Prep) History (Grade 1-6)

Term 4 - Journeys

RE - Morality and Justice (Prep) Scripture & Jesus (Grade 1-6)

Inquiry - Health (Prep) Geography (Grade 1-4) Economics & Business (Grade 5/6)

Caitlan Taig

Religious Education Leader