RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LEARNING AREA
As we reflect upon Semester One of 2024, the Religious Education Learning Area has looked closely at various units of work and embraced some new ideas in relation to engaging classroom activities.
As I have mentioned in the past, studying any Religious Education unit or concept offers several important benefits to our secondary students, regardless of their religious beliefs. There are numerous reasons why students should study Religious Education units in secondary school. It provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for them to thrive in a diverse, respectful, and connected manner.
Our students at St Joseph’s College learn to embrace tolerance, investigate aspects of social justice, develop their own critical thinking, demonstrate empathy towards poverty, learn about human rights, and prepare themselves to be responsible citizens in our wider community. All concepts relate to Catholic Social Teaching Principles.
Here are some areas we have explored so far this semester:
Year 7: In Term 1, students study our St Joseph’s College Community, including the history of the Sisters of Mercy and how the Eucharist is 'lived out' in our community. Other areas include an introduction to the Sacraments of the Eucharist and an introduction to the Bible. During Term 2, students study and investigate early Christian communities, which includes an introduction to the history of the Catholic Church.
Year 8: In Term 1, students studied and investigated the need for justice in the world today and analysed issues of injustice in light of Catholic Social Teaching. In Term 2, students explored the historical, as well as symbolic and ceremonial approaches to receiving sacraments within the Catholic religion and compared these to sacred rituals within other denominations.
Year 9: In Term 1, students examined 'Stewardship', which includes environmental theology and the purpose of looking after God’s Creation. In Term 2, they also studied the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – with an emphasis on one Gospel according to our Ballarat Diocese’s Liturgical Calendar Year. This year is the Year of Mark.
Year 10: In Term 1, students explored 'The Mysteries of Life', focusing on the death and resurrection of Jesus and reflecting on ways to cope with death in general. In Term 2, students learned how the Catholic Church has grown and changed over time.
Year 11 RE Art: Students have studied religious artworks from several movements and come to a richer appreciation of their faith, spirituality, and heritage. They also explored a variety of ways to express their own faith. Students discovered materials, skills, and concepts, both practical and theoretical, through a process of investigation and discussion. This included exploration and research leading to visual solutions.
All Religious Education classes had the pleasure of a visit from Mrs Teresa Parente again this year. Mrs Parente taught our students how to make palm crosses prior to Palm Sunday Mass services within our local community.
Finally, I would like to thank all our great RE Staff who have worked hard this year in delivering a curriculum that is engaging to our students.
Many blessings to all!
Mrs Nella O'Brien
Religious Education Learning Area Facilitator