Religious Education

Head of Faculty – Religious Education 

Sophie Harrison

With Term 1 coming to an end, students are wrapping up their introductory unit to their Religious studies. Across year levels, this term’s focus has been about developing an understanding of God’s nature in a number of ways. So, what exactly do we mean by the nature of God?

Religious Education

In Year 7, we welcomed our newest community members by exploring how God is present within our own community of Mount Alvernia College. By understanding the key aspects of the Franciscan Charism, students looked at stories of Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and Elizabeth Hayes – our founders – and how they revealed God’s nature in their actions and words. 

The students of Year 8 continued their studies by exploring how God’s promises have been developed through Covenants, identifying the ways unilateral and bilateral promises were made within Scripture. In particular, students used their knowledge of the Worlds of the Text to explore the literal and inferred meanings of Biblical covenants and how modern Christians can continue to act in the ways of Biblical ancestors. 

Within Years 9 and 10 RE, students applied their foundational knowledge of God’s nature to analyse and interpret modern representations of God. Through studying the conversion of modern characters like The Grinch, Emperor Kuzko, Scrooge, and Anakin Skywalker, students explored the nature of penance and conversion of heart, outlining God’s forgiving nature. Through analysing images and Biblical Scripture, the Year 10s explored how Old, New, and Modern interpretations of God reveal the Mystery. 

Our senior students continued their focus on God in modern contexts, which students in Year 11 developing their ideas of role-models in society, and how their actions and beliefs reflect Christian values. Year 12s developed their understanding of religions in modern cultural contexts, including a depth study of the allegoric movie, Gladiator.

Study of Religion 

Within the senior space, students in Year 10 began their studies in the newly implemented Study of Religion preparation course, which aligns to the senior syllabus. Within this unit, students continued to develop their understanding of God across Abrahamic Faiths, and the ways God’s nature is revealed and revered by adherents across faiths. Culminating in a short response exam, students engaged in the genres of assessment which they will need to complete Units 1-4 of SOR across Year 11 and 12.

Year 11s found themselves immersed in the Hindu and Buddhist faiths, exploring the fundamental teachings and sacred texts of the faiths. Considerably different to Abrahamic faiths, students dove in headfirst in their studies of Hinduism, before moving onto a depth investigation of the Abrahamic faiths. 

Finally, our Year 12 Study of Religion students used feedback from their Internal Assessment 1 to outline their strengths and weaknesses in preparation for their study of Religious Ethics. Using the teachings and practices of Islam, the students evaluated the significance of religious teachings and texts in relation to an ethical issue present within contemporary society, completing an inquiry investigation task. Participating in skills-based tutorials run by Mr Richard Rogusz, our Year 12s strengthened their knowledge of evaluating to provide strong, informed judgements in relation medical technologies or beginning and end of life ethical issues. 

In the final weeks of Term 1, students will continue their studies before breaking for the Easter holidays.