Education in faith

Education in faith

‘Inspired by Mary and guided by our faith in her Son, Jesus, we aspire to be a respectful, nurturing and engaging learning community.’

Our Vision Statement is the touchstone, a fundamental feature, of our school operations and culture. It encourages, enables and challenges staff, students and parents to embrace and enact our Vision and thus, enhance our Catholic culture. 

Religious Education at Our Lady Star of the Sea is undertaken in partnership with parents, parish and community to reflect the Spirit of the Gospel values and teachings of Jesus Christ within the Tradition of the Catholic Church. We aim to support the full flourishing of all learners as spiritual and religious, physical and cognitive, social and emotional beings through Religious Education. We are surrounded by outward visible signs of our Catholic identity and pride ourselves on being a community that welcomes all, regardless of their level of religious belief, and a place where diversity is celebrated.

Curriculum 

Our Religious education curriculum is based on the “Religious Education Curriculum Framework” that has been developed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Students and teachers use a combination of the Inquiry learning and ‘Pedagogy of Encounter’ approach to planning and delivering learning on topics in RE, where students and teachers are invited to consider five elements:

• What do I think and sense?
• What do others think and why?
• What does the Catholic Church teach and why?
• How am I called into a deeper relationship with God?
• What do I think now and why?

This enables students and teachers to journey together in the discovery and development of knowledge  and understanding on topics in Religious Education, and to deepen their own faith and relationship with our God.

We align learning with the liturgical year and the sacramental program so that students across the school experience learning together; with ever deeper exploration of faith, justice, and knowledge and understanding in RE learning areas as students progress through the school.

At Our Lady Star of the Sea, social justice is a key focus of our Religious Education program. We emphasise the importance of compassion, fairness, and equality by encouraging students to actively engage in making a positive impact in their communities. One of the key ways in which we do this is through our annual Mission Fete celebration to raise money for Bulbula. 

Liturgy and Parish Engagement 

As well as formal lessons, our Religious Education program is supported by opportunities for individual classes to participate in regular liturgical celebrations with our Parish community.

Sacramental Program 

The Sacraments are a key part of Church and school life. The Our Lady Star of the Sea Sacramental Program is implemented within our P-6 Religious Education program. Formal celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation follow the guidelines of the Archdiocese and are celebrated as follows:

• Reconciliation: Year 3
• Eucharist: Year 4
• Confirmation: Year 6

Reconciliation, or the Sacrament of Penance, is one of the most unique aspects of Catholicism. It is called ‘reconciliation‘ as it celebrates God’s mercy and forgiveness, and our intention to live according to the Gospel of Christ. Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are the Church’s Sacraments of Initiation. In Confirmation the candidate is sealed with the Holy Spirit and strengthened to be a witness to Christ; while Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

Our Sacramental Preparation Program places a strong emphasis on family involvement. We hold Parent Faith Information Evenings with our Parish Priest to enable us to work in partnership with parents and families in preparing our students for receiving Sacraments; journeying in our faith together as a community.