Launched at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney last Friday, the new syllabus is based firmly on the Catholic liberal arts approach to the teaching of Religious Education. The new syllabus is aimed at better meeting the needs of senior students wanting to learn more about their Catholic faith.
The syllabus will further develop the skills and understandings students have acquired in Religious Education courses they have undertaken from Kindergarten to Year 10. It will also provide students the opportunity to focus on a religion of their choice that has made a significant contribution to the world – spiritually, ethically, politically, and socially.
The new syllabus will also help students to make sense of everyday life in the broader context of mystery, complexity, confusion and awe while allowing them to deepen their understandings about the Scriptures and the traditions of the Catholic community.
St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen will pilot the new syllabus in three Year 11 classes under the supervision of Principal, Mr Robert Holstein and Religious Studies Coordinator, Mrs Meagan Edwards.
The full implementation of the syllabus in all Stage 6 schools in the Diocese is expected by 2020.
All Bishops across the states have committed to implementing the course in their dioceses over the next few years.
The new course will be supported by high-quality professional development, substantial resourcing and ongoing monitoring by Religious Education teachers and leaders of Catholic schools.