What are students learning about?

This week Year 3 students made their First Reconciliation. It is a continuation of the journey they began at their Baptism. Reconciliation is about further committing to following the example set by Jesus and deepening their ability to recognise they have choice in their actions. Their great and glorious humanness is exposed to them as they realise their choices are not always the right ones, that God continues to love us regardless and that saying sorry is a gift.

Year 3 also lead the school in prayer assembly this week. They used the parable of The Prodigal Son to share their understanding of forgiveness.  They read the gospel and acted out the story to help show the sorrow and joy of the father and the sons.

What teachers are learning about

This week all teachers are completing an online course as part of our Catalyst program.  It is further information about Cognitive Load Theory.  The way the brain learns and retains information is fascinating. 

Cognitive load theory was recently described by British educationalist Dylan Wiliam as ‘the single most important thing for teachers to know’ (Wiliam 2017) This statement is quite powerful.  

Why am I writing about this in the RE section of the newsletter? Because good pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.)  is good pedagogy in all areas of the curriculum.  Although I often speak of faith development helping students to achieve academically in the area of Religious Education is an important focus of our work too. 

Catholic Life and Reflection

What does prayer mean to you?

We are so blessed at our school to have an extremely talented musician on staff, Jack Biilmann.  Today he played an old blues song for us that had themes of teaching and learning.  As he played I watched him transform. The people in the room, even the room itself disappeared and it was just him and the music.  I saw the moment when it transformed from performance to prayer.  A perfect reminder of God in all things.  It was a privilege to witness.

May God continue to bless all of our students and families.

Stephanie Stewart