Ss Peter & Paul Kiama
A Catholic Parish Primary School
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUMThe formation of Christian values underpins all that we do at Ss Peter and Paul, and students also experience formal Religious Education lessons each day based upon the K-12 Religious Education Curriculum of the Diocese of Wollongong.
Religious Education (RE) is one of our Key Learning Areas. The RE curriculum is set by the Bishop of Wollongong in conjunction with Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. The K-6 RE curriculum is based on the Emmaus Paradigm, derived from the Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35), where Jesus meets two disciples and walks with them but they do not recognise him.
The four interrelated aspects of the paradigm enable students to:
The Religious Education Curriculum aims to assist students to reflect upon, make sense of, celebrate and live more deeply the mystery of Christ. Relationship with God is nurtured through catechesis, prayer and ritual enabling/supporting students to contribute positively to the community and culture.
Child-centred approaches to learning are used to engage students in their faith and learning. The ‘storytelling approach’ central to Godly Play and The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, creates opportunities for students to enter into the mystery of our sacred stories. Through creative approaches students can explore, imagine and express ideas as they break open and make sense of our Scriptures and traditions.
The content strands and themes of learning aim to lead students towards love of God, love for others and for all of creation as they become open to the presence and activity of God in their lives.
One of the aims of Religious Education (RE) in our Catholic schools is to develop our students' ‘Religious Literacy’ – that is, the way children use their literacy skills to communicate their understanding of the religious tradition to themselves, their peers, teachers and members of the wider faith community.
“By the end of their schooling students know the core teachings of our faith, our Scriptures, history and tradition and how these are to be lived in the world" — Catholic Schools at a Crossroad
The Religious Literacy Assessment Program in the Diocese of Wollongong provides information about the way children process and express their religious knowledge. The assessment involves all Year 4 students across the Diocese of Wollongong and consists of a multiple choice/restricted answer and short answer/performance questions, focusing on the students' knowledge and understanding of the key concepts that are taught throughout their Religious Education from Kindergarten to Year 4, and what this means for the way we live, as it is applied in society.
The tasks are developed around the Religious Literacy Framework of Knowing the Tradition, Working with the Tradition, Applying the Tradition and Valuing the Tradition, reflecting Stage 1 and Stage 2 outcomes of the RE Curriculum. The data gathered from the assessment is analysed to inform learning and teaching in schools, to focus on professional learning and to recognise and celebrate learning in the domain of Religious Education in the Wollongong Diocese.
The parish provides sacramental programs for Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation that have been supported by the school.
Our parish priest, Fr Chris Roberts visits the classrooms to support the faith formation of the children and to discuss current events in the life of the Church. Regular opportunities for the children to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance are also provided.
Each year, Year 6 students from across the Diocese gather together to celebrate in an uplifting Mass with the Bishop of Wollongong. This occasion is an opportunity for students to encounter Christ through the Eucharist, through their fellow students gathered together and through the presence of Bishop Brian, who is Shepherd to all people in our Diocese. The Year 6 Mass also aims to help students understand their place in the Diocese, being part of the broader Church community and how they might embrace their Catholic as they take their next steps into secondary school.
Each year, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong invites Catholic primary schools from across the Diocese to submit artworks from Year 5 and 6 students to enter in the CEDoW Christmas Story Art Competition.
Approximately fifty entries that are deemed to best meet the criteria are chosen for an exhibition at the Wollongong City Art Gallery, which is open to the public, commonly around the last weeks of Term 3 and over the October school holiday period each year. Major awards are given at the opening of the exhibition, and approximately 12 finalists are selected for entry into the Sydney Archdiocese Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition.
For more information, view the CEDoW Christmas Story Art Competition site