During the year the students will engage in several units of work. Class teachers advise parents on which units are being covered at the start of each term. Each class begins the year with a focus on the school's history and our Marian charism. This is used as a basis for developing a class covenant.
A Catholic covenant is a solemn or written promise that is a shared vision and collective understanding of an expectation of appropriate behaviours. It is negotiated and written by the class to ensure all students have a common understanding and ownership. They develop an individual vision of how they will Know, Love and Serve together.
Each unit involves an inquiry approach and draws on the student’s understanding of their own life context, and that of believers through time. The deep learning and ‘big ideas’ are supported by scripture and draw on content from the sub-strands of Beliefs, Sacred Texts, Church and Christian Life.
Focus Areas
Living a ‘moral’ life? What does Scripture say about making good decisions?
By exploring the Beatitudes, students recognise how Jesus’ messages continue to be relevant for people today. They investigate how a believer can make good informed choices considering actions and relationship with God, others and creation. What might help believers make these informed choices? How do they live out the Beatitudes at school and in the community? They investigate how individuals and groups (within and beyond the parish) have put their faith into action in the world, and how believers would connect with this important work to look after the vulnerable and disadvantaged. They also look the Decalogue (10 Commandments) and The Fruits of the Spirit as examples of scripture that help inform believers how to live a moral life.
The life and message of Jesus
Students explore the key stories about the life and teachings of Jesus. They investigate the cultural contexts of the gospels and gain a greater understanding of the person of Jesus.
The Sacraments of the Church
Students learn about the Sacraments of initiation -Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation and through them, how people are welcomed and strengthened in the Church community. Students explore the sights, sounds and actions of the Sacraments of Initiation and discover how members of the parish and Diocese support Sacraments in the local Church community.
Images of God
Students express thoughts about God’s presence and action in daily life by selecting and using information about ideas and events in texts that present images of God in Old Testament texts. Students explore images of God in the stories of the Old Testament (such as God as potter, mother, Creator) and in the Psalms.
Each image communicates some specific idea about God that helps believers to understand God better.
Jesus in the Gospels. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
Students explore the cultural contexts in which the Gospels were written, and the text types used by the human authors of New Testament texts. They use the information about texts to discuss ideas about the life and teaching of Jesus, including the Christian belief that Jesus is the Messiah.
God ‘s relationship with people is revealed in the stories of the Old Testament.
Students learn about the special relationship between the Jewish people and God. They express ideas about Gods presence and action in daily life by using information from stories from the Torah.
The significance of Prayer for the Church Community
Students express ideas about God’s presence and action in daily life through prayers of praise and thanksgiving. They participate respectfully in a variety of prayer experiences.
Church Community
Students learn about the significant people, events and features of a parish and diocese past and present. They investigate the roles of clergy, religious and the laity, and their various roles in these contexts at parish and archdiocese levels.