Religion is essential to our Catholic schools.

Inspired by the message and example of Jesus Christ, Catholic schools live out a distinctive educational vision. Supported by the Catholic community of which they are a vital part, they invite students and their families into a faith‐filled educational experience. As a key ministry of parishes and the diocese, Catholic schools encourage and support parents in their responsibility for the faith formation of their children. This formation is supported by prayer and opportunities to participate in the life, mission and liturgy of the broader Catholic community.

Religious Education seeks to develop the religious literacy of students in light of the Catholic tradition, so that they might participate critically and authentically in contemporary culture. Students become religiously literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use language confidently in and for faith contexts and the wider society. The content of the syllabus follows student’s learning development in the following stages:

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

Students are focused on themselves, their family and immediate world. They relate their own experience to ideas, events and information.

Stage 1 (Years 1-2)

Students have a natural curiosity, sense of wonder and enthusiasm for fantasy and play. They mix with others in a more complex way and friendships become increasingly important. They are growing in self-awareness and beginning to make choices and decisions. Learning is generally through direct experience.

Stage 2 (Years 3-4)

Students are more aware of belonging to the wider community. The peer group becomes increasingly important and they also see fairness as a core moral principle. They are absorbed in collecting and organising information and can see the relationship between ideas and information. They are able to interpret and communicate ideas more proficiently.

Stage 3 (Years 5-6)

Students have a deeper awareness of the wider world and its impact on their lives. They are more self-motivated and able to absorb a considerable amount of information. They have a more sophisticated sense of reasoning and a greater understanding of consequences. Peers have significant influence on their values and judgements.

At all times, parents are invited to discuss the content of the syllabus with classroom teachers or the Religious Education Coordinator.