Religious Education 

 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

 all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 

Dear Parents

As mentioned a few weeks ago,  this term we have a  whole school scripture focus where the students explore the two accounts of Christ’s birth from the gospels of Luke (2:1-14) and Matthew (2:1-12). The students began some exploration of Christ’s birth by looking at the image below which was painted by Sieger Koder; a priest, theologian and an artist. His paintings have evoked rich dialogue amongst staff and students. 

As a Catholic Dialogue School, we engage with the Bible through a hermeneutical lens. Hermeneutics can be described as “the art of interpretation.” It is one way that as a community, we can share and dialogue about biblical texts. The Bible invites us through an interpretive process, to express our many different ideas and beliefs about the meaning they may hold. 

The students were asked to look at the painting and describe 

-what they saw, 

-what it made them think 

and what it made them wonder. 

Below I have included some of the Preps responses that show connection to both Luke and  Matthew's infancy narratives.

What did you see?

Ricky B: We can see a small house made out of wood.

Jean S: We can see that it is night time and people are sleeping.

Maya H: We can see a lady in blue kissing a baby.

Milla L: We can see a person at the bottom holding a sign.

Sonny N: We can see hay under the baby.

What did it make you think?

Ava M: We think that the building they are in is a barn. Jesus was born in a stable.

Dan C: We think that the man might be God or Joseph.

Johnny K: We think that could be Mary and Baby Jesus.

Thomas J: We think that the sign is a name tag that says ‘Jesus’.

Anna S: We think they are using the hay as a bed.

What does it make you wonder?

Sarah M: We are wondering why the man’s head is upside down.

Julia V: We are wondering if the people are angels.

Zara S: We are wondering if it is a real picture.

Lachie C: We are wondering where they could be.

George S: We are wondering why some people are up the top and some are down the bottom.

Through this hermeneutical process, the students are engaging in dialogue, exploring new layers of meaning and interpreting texts and symbols.

I wonder what your interpretation of the image is? Maybe as a family you can discuss your interpretation of the image.

Confirmation

On Tuesday evening some of our Year 6 students received the sacrament of Confirmation. It was a wonderful occasion where the children were finally able to celebrate together. 

Another group of Year 6 students will receive the sacrament this evening. Please keep these students in your prayers.

Take Care

Bernadette Reed