Religious Education Update

FAMILY PARISH MASS

The St Aidan’s Community and the Holy Family Parish, will come together this Sunday 24th of May at 9:30 am for our Family Parish Mass to celebrate Pentecost together. Following mass we would love for you to join us to share in a Pentecost Cake to celebrate the birthday of the church. We would love to see our students and their families at this special mass. 

SANDWICH MAKING

Our community recently united for a meaningful service initiative, preparing over 200 sandwiches for the Vinnies Van program. Volunteers helped assemble and pack the sandwiches, which were later distributed at the Lexo Hub to support individuals experiencing hardship. We extend our thanks to everyone who contributed their time and effort to this valuable outreach activity.

FRIDAY CLASS MASSES

Please find the timetable for your child’s class Mass. If your child has been given a reading it will be sent home prior to their class mass for them to practice.

CLASS PRAYER 

You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Class Prayers which will be held in the students classrooms.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL

This term St Aidan’s will be running two fundraising initiatives for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Let’s help end the homelessness crisis together. 

Our school’s contributions to the Winter Appeal allow Vinnies to continue supporting older women who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to have access to the support they need to get back on their feet and to be safe and well. 

Fundraiser One - St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

St Aidan’s has a long standing tradition of participating in the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Please see the table below for what each class is responsible for donating. To uphold the dignity of those receiving goods, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for at least the next 6 months.

Students can bring donations to school with them and in in each classroom there will be labelled containers for them to place the donations. 

Fundraiser Two - Pyjama Day

Towards the end of Term Two (Tuesday 2nd June), St Aidan’s will be having a Pyjama Day. All students are invited to wear their pyjamas and dressing gowns to school. Every student who wears their pyjamas is asked to donate a “winter woolie” that will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Please ensure “winter woolies” are in new and clean condition. 

We will be collecting:

• Socks
• Scarves
• Beanies
• Fuzzy slippers
• Gloves

SISTINE CHAPEL EXPERIENCE

This week our students in Year 5 and 6 had the opportunity to explore the breathtaking Sistine Chapel Exhibition, an immersive experience that brought Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling to life in remarkable detail. Walking beneath the large‑scale reproductions, students were able to appreciate the artistry, symbolism and sheer scale of the work in a way that simply isn’t possible through pictures alone. They engaged with the stories behind the frescoes and reflected on the dedication and creativity required to complete such a masterpiece. It was a powerful cultural moment that deepened their understanding of Renaissance art and left many of them genuinely inspired.

If you’re looking for an inspiring family outing, this is a beautiful opportunity to share one of history’s greatest masterpieces together. For further information please follow the link 

REPORTING IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education at St Aidan's is more than just a subject on the timetable it’s a vital part of how we help our students grow in faith, understanding, and purpose. It is how we educate our students about and in our Catholic faith. 

Religious Education brings faith into conversation with everyday life. It invites students to explore life’s big questions, reflect on their experiences and discover how the message of Jesus and the Gospel can guide them in today’s world. It’s a space where faith becomes real, personal, and transformative. 

Just like other subjects, Religious Education is taught with academic depth and rigour. Our students are encouraged to think critically, ask meaningful questions and seek truth. They learn to interpret Scripture, engage in rich discussions and develop the skills to make thoughtful, Catholic faith-filled decisions.

Our lessons are varied and engaging. Students take part in storytelling, prayer, creative learning experiences and assessments that help them connect what they learn to who they are becoming. Scripture is central to this journey; it not only informs their understanding but also helps them reflect on how God is speaking to them in their own lives.

Ultimately, our goal is to form young people who not only understand their Catholic faith but are inspired to live it through active participation in Mass, and showing compassion, courage, and joy in their every day loves.

FAMILY PARISH CONTACT DETAILS 

Please find below the contact details for Family Parish. 

The parish contact details are: holyfamilymaroubra@outlook.com and 9349 1198

Warm regards,

Jenna Smithson

Religious Education Coordinator and Year Five Teacher