The Vision for Religious Education as stated in the Religious Education Curriculum of Brisbane Catholic Education gives voice to what our hopes for our students here at St Rita’s Victoria Point in terms of their religious literacy and faith formation.
“The schools and colleges of the Archdiocese of Brisbane aspire to educate and form students who are challenged to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and who are literate in the Catholic and broader Christian tradition so that they might participate critically and authentically in faith contexts and wider society”
Religious Education consists of two distinct but complementary dimensions, namely an educational dimension and a faith formation dimension.
The first dimension, most commonly referred to as the classroom teaching and learning of religion, is focussed on Religious Education as an educational activity. It utilises a range of teaching and learning processes and resources.
The second dimension, faith formation, is reflected in the religious life of the school, family and parish. The educational dimension and the faith formation dimension are inextricably linked. The classroom teaching of religion is one element in a complex web of experiences that have the potential to nurture the faith life of young people.
All classroom teachers are working from the Brisbane Catholic Education Religious Education Syllabus and Curriculum documents. Religious Education aims to "develop students' religious literacy in the light of the Catholic tradition, so that they may participate critically and effectively in the light of their faith communities and wider society" (A Syllabus for Religious Education for Catholic Schools).
T
he curriculum involves four strands: Theses strands are interrelated and are taught in an integrated approach which are appropriate to the learning contexts of the class.
1. Sacred Texts
2. Beliefs
3. Church
4. Christian Life
At St Rita’s Victoria Point it is a requirement that a minimum of 2.5 hours per week of religion teaching is provided. This time is allocated in the way that best meets the needs of our students.
The Religious Life of the School also comprises four interrelated components:
1. Religious Identity & Culture
2. Evangelisation & Faith Formation
3. Prayer and Worship
4. Social Action & Justice
Each of these components, while mutually reinforcing, provides a significant focus on a distinctive aspect of the religious life of our school and compliments the teaching of religion within classroom. Of particular interest for St Rita’s students', staff, parents and Parish community is the focus placed on the life of St Augustine and St Rita. By sharing in their stories our students and their families are encouraged to be people of Knowledge, Truth and Love. Our commitment to responding to the Christian call defines our school – the framework for our responses to what happens in the wider community and the way we go about being members of St Rita’s Catholic Primary School.