DAY 1 The Shape of Religious Education

The Vision for Religious Education 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.

The Vision for Religious Education emphasises the complementarity of the two dimensions of Religious Education and articulates a school’s aspirations for students in terms of their religious literacy and faith formation.

Model of Religious Education Go to the curriuclum – aligning content RLOS

Vision and Learning and Teaching Framework Alignment As a Catholic Christian community we educate all to live the gospel of Jesus Christ as successful, creative and confident, active and informed learners empowered to shape and enrich our world.

Contemporary Contexts of School Religious Education Societal Ecclesial Educational Digital Societal Context impacts on all living and learning. There are many diverse contexts. Four broad-brush contemporary contextual realities have been chosen. Catholic and ecumenical schools operate in a complex and ever-changing environment. Students immersed in a local, national and global world – exposed to diverse values. Most students have a developing understanding of cultures, religions and belief systems of the word. Catholic being one. Live in a country that promotes tolerance and legal protection for a range of religious beliefs. Many Australians respect and appreciate the good religious groups do e.g. welfare social disadvantage, many remain uncertain of and indifferent to the relevance of beliefs and practises of others. Many students want to come to our school. Why? - many want a Catholic School education but they do not fully understand the foundational nature and central importance of religious and spiritual dimension of Catholic education. Ecclesial Roy Williams states in his book Post God Nation? says in the 1901 census, 96% of respondents identified as Christian and half the adults regularly attended church. A century on 61% of the population identify as nominally Christian and only 8% regularly attend services of worship. What happened? The claim is frequently made that Australians have hesitancy in matters of religion and spirituality and a limited capacity to articulate and publically proclaim religious beliefs and spirituality. However, this does not necessarily equate to a disinterest in religion neither does an inconsistent or infrequent involvement in what the church says. Schools are an integral expression of Church There is an opportunity to connect families with the Catholic Christina tradition and its spiritual richness. RE provides students with a religious voice that can bring to the everyday life experience; a lens though which they might view the world. The school is often the place where students and their families encounter the mission and outreach of the Church, especially through pastoral care and the experience of Catholic Christian community. Educational Catholic schools Integrate Faith, Life and Culture challenging negative societal influences that impact upon the spiritual wellbeing of students e.g. Support for the inner journey, developing peaceful hearts, listening to the voice of God and others, discernment, individualism, narcissism, moral relativism and consumerism. Teaching - the power of dignity for all respect, compassion, forgiveness, care for God’s creation, justice and peace, outreach to the more and marginalised and community services, Digital RE seeks to engage students in the critical, creative and responsible use of digital tools - digital citizenship Opportunities to connect in global context These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Religious Education in an Ecumenical School Archdiocese of Brisbane In the classroom learning and teaching starting point is the Curriculum P-12 content that the participating churches hold in common the particularity of each denomination need to be respected. Differences between denominations will be acknowledged The religious life of an ecumenical school provides opportunities for member so the community to grow in Christian faith through prayer and workshop, a Christian environment, community formation, outreach social action and justice. Religious life of he schools

Anne Victor SeniorEducation Officer, Religious Education avictor@bne.catholic.edu.au