Religious Education


Religious Education at St Therese expresses an authentic understanding of Christ and his teaching, seeking to bring into harmony, faith, culture and life. We view all learners as capable and assist students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in all learning areas.

 


A vision for Religious Education

 

The Religious Education Curriculum describes learning and teaching for Catholic primary and secondary schools. The Curriculum sits within the context of the Education Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Horizons of Hope.

 

It also supports the full flourishing of all learners as spiritual and religious, physical and cognitive, social and emotional beings through Religious Education. It includes Learning Progression comprised of three strands of learning -Knowledge and Understanding; Reasoning and Responding; Personal and Communal Engagement and five content areas - Jesus and Scripture; Church and Community; God, Religion and Life; Prayer, Liturgy and Sacrament; Morality and Justice.


Religious Education is both explicitly taught through mandated lessons each week and is also intrinsically taught in our relationships and everyday interactions, where we model the teachings of Jesus.

A creative framework of dialogue, understanding and action needs to be constructed, leading students in a process of deep learning, evaluation and response to the mysteries of life, enlivened by the Holy Spirit. 


Their is a new focus on contextualizing religious beliefs in our world and encoutering God in the everyday.
https://resourcecem.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Pedagogy-of-Encounter-diagram.pdf_to-upload-to-RESource.pdf


The goal of this process is a deepened relationship with God, through knowledge and encounter, right relationships with others, a greater love of the Church, and empowerment to work to create a just world.

 

Prayer and Liturgies

 

All classes begin or end their school day with prayer. These sessions provide an authentic opportunity for students to praise and thank God for their families and friends and encourage students to verbalise what they are thankful for.

 

Throughout the year, classes rotate through attending weekly Wednesday Masses at St Therese Church and as a whole school community we often gather for liturgical celebrations such as Masses and non-Eucharistic Liturgies. Whole school liturgical celebrations include Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, as well as, our Beginning and End of Year Celebrations. Families are invited and always welcome to attend our liturgical celebrations.

 

Sacraments

 

St Therese School works with families and the St Therese Church community in the Parish of Nazareth, Grovedale to assist students through their journey of faith. Sacraments are the festive, ritual actions in which Christians assemble to celebrate their lived experience.

 

We prepare students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation at Grade 3, Eucharist at Grade 4 and Confirmation at Grade 6. Our Sacraments call us to action and to live a life inspired by the life of Jesus Christ.