Religious Education

As outlined in the Bishops’ Mandate Letter (Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia [CECWA], 2009) “Religious Education needs to be the first priority in the Catholic school” (p. 32). Clontarf Aboriginal College is unique because it is a Catholic College for Aboriginal students and therefore demonstrating connections between Religious Education and Aboriginal Spirituality and Culture, as well as linking the two, are key priorities in the Religious Education curriculum for each year group.

The Catholic faith and Aboriginal spirituality have many similarities and so there is a focus at the College to provide a variety of opportunities both in and out of Religious Education classroom time for the students to experience these similarities. Religious Education classes provide the students with academic knowledge as well as personal faith experiences- by meeting the students where they are at, in a culturally appropriate manner, engaging and challenging the students to reflect and learn. The Religious Education curriculum is complimented and enhanced by the Campus Ministry at the College which includes the annual celebration of Religious Education Week, Prayer, year group Retreats, Liturgical Celebrations, Masses and the Christian Service Learning program.

Students at Clontarf Aboriginal College participate in year group Religious Education lessons. Students in Years 11 and 12 participate in four Religious Education lessons per week. The Term focus for the Year 7 to 10 Religious Education curriculum is available below as well as a more detailed outline of the Year 11 and 12 Religion and Life curriculum.

Year 7 Religious Education

Term 1-Celebrating Jesus

Term 2- Living as Church

Term 3- Celebrating new life

Term 4- Living in God’s love

Year 8 Religious Education

Term 1- Belonging and acceptance in Catholic communities

Term 2- The universal need for God

Term 3- Creation, God’s original plan

Term 4- Growing in the image of God

Year 9 Religious Education

Term 1- The human search for truth

Term 2- People grow stronger spiritually

Term 3- People can achieve emotional peace

Term 4- Christian love and sexuality

Year 10 Religious Education

Term 1- Vocation

Term 2- Freedom

Term 3- Conscience

Term 4- Restoring God’s justice

Year 11 and 12 Religion and Life

The course content of the Religion and Life courses is organised into three distinct areas.: The nature of religion; The influence of religion; and Religious inquiry and processes. The content is divided into four sequential units offered over two years. The students in Year 11 complete Unit 1 and 2 and students in Year 12 complete Unit 3 and 4.

UNIT 1: The focus of this unit is religion as a human activity. It explores how people search for meaning in life and the characteristics of religion. Students conduct research and develop the skills required for processing information and communicating findings about religion and life.

 UNIT 2: The focus of this unit is the role religion plays in society. It considers the responses offered by religion to issues that exist in society. Students conduct research and develop the skills required for processing information and communicating findings about religion and life.

UNIT 3: The focus of this unit is religion as a human activity. It explores how people search for meaning in life and the characteristics of religion. Students conduct research and develop the skills required for processing information and communicating findings about religion and life.

UNIT 4:  The focus for this unit is the interplay between religion and life. Students explore how religion responds to and interacts with issues that arise within society. They further develop research skills for conducting an inquiry, processing information and communicating findings about the interplay between religion and life.

Mr Salvatore De Luca, Head of Religious Education and Campus Ministry