Religious Education
Christian Meditation
This year, our staff have been engaging in professional development focused on Christian Meditation, deepening our understanding and practice. Through these sessions, we have explored both the spiritual and practical benefits of incorporating meditation into our daily school life.
During Term 3, as part of our Prayer, Liturgy and Sacrament unit, students have been learning about and exploring Christian Meditation. Through guided lessons and class discussions, students have reflected on how taking time for silence can bring a sense of peace, calm, and connection with God. This learning has provided a strong foundation for our whole-school meditation practice that we have begun trialling this term.
What is Christian Meditation?
Christian Meditation is a form of silent prayer where we open our hearts to God’s presence within us. Rooted in early Christian traditions, this practice invites us to sit quietly, still our minds, and repeat a sacred word or phrase, our prayer word “Maranatha,” meaning “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Why We Do It
As a Catholic school, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual wellbeing of our students and staff. Christian Meditation provides a moment in the day to pause, breathe, and reconnect with God. In a world that can feel busy and fast-paced, this time of silence helps our students to slow down, reflect, and centre themselves. It encourages calm, and an awareness of God’s presence in their everyday lives.
The Benefits
Regular Christian Meditation has been shown to:
- Foster inner peace and stillness
- Improve concentration and emotional regulation
- Support spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God
- Build a sense of community and shared prayer across the school
Reflections from Students
“I feel calm when I do it, I feel relaxed, I feel happy when I do it because God is around me”
- Mera 0RY
“I feel calm, sometimes I just like to think about memories, maybe what I can be when I grow up. I feel like I’m staying with God when I do meditation.”
- Zach 2JR
“I like doing it, to me it feels peaceful. It gives me time to think. Sometimes it’s nice to have a break from things I am dealing with. I trust God with everything. It makes me feel happy.”
- Chloe 4BP
“I feel like it helps me in the mornings. It helps me get through my day. Having that small moment of silence helps me reflect on my relationship with God. I think it’s a really good step that Good Shepherd is taking to help everyone grow in their faith together.”
- Roshana, 6MP
Moving Forward
In Term 4, we have been trialling whole-school Christian Meditation twice a week in our classrooms. Our goal is to make this a consistent practice across the whole school, with a full implementation planned for Term 1, 2026.
We look forward to continuing this journey together as a faith community.
Vanessa Lamanna
Religious Education Leader