Catholic Life and Reflection
What staff are learning about
I was very lucky to attend a Religious Education Coordinators (REC) meeting face to face earlier this week. We had a keynote speech from Ross Fox, the Director of Catholic Education, one from the Archbishop and then a reflection from a Curriculum Coordinator from Clarendon College Ballarat. All of them discussed different aspects of the Catalyst professional learning program across our Catholic Schools.
As a diocese we are embedding High Impact Teaching Practices in all curriculum areas. At St John’s we have been working on reviews of learning and explicit teaching in Religion lessons as well as literacy and numeracy. It is early days but, we have seen increased engagement and retention of knowledge.
It can seem odd to talk about facts and explicit knowledge within Religious Education but it is such an important part of our faith. Understanding traditions, rituals and liturgy; learning prayers, responses and songs all make up essential parts of our religion.
His Grace, the Archbishop, spoke of four key elements needed in a Catholic school.
- Evangelisation – spreading the word of God
- Catechism – the doctrine and teaching of the church
- Kerygma – the fire of the Holy Spirit
- Synodality – walking together
As we continue to explore and refine our teaching practices and outcomes for our students my role is to ensure these four elements remain at the forefront of our minds.
Catholic Life and Reflection
Ms Alcock and I are on staff prayer this week. As it is Family Week here at St Johns, we decided to focus on family. We began the week reflecting on the Holy Family. This prayer from Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) is a perfect expression of the love we have for each other and the love God has for us.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again
God bless,
Stephanie Stewart
Religous Education Coordinator
