The Religious Education curriculum is currently undergoing some exciting change and transition.  Catholic Education, Canberra is soon to submit an application to the National Education Standards Authority (NESA) for a new Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) course to be used in 2021.  The new modules of study come from the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Religious Education curriculum which are based on four strands: Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life.  The modules will be adopted across the NSW secondary schools and will invigorate and enliven our RE classes. Once NESA accreditation is approved, teachers in the RE Department will begin working with the new modules and developing units of study.  The Brisbane’s Religious Education curriculum is also being used to develop new units of study in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) RE classes.  It is always exciting to be engaging with new ideas and pedagogy and to be considering how learning can be most productive. 

Another significant change to curriculum will be to Senior RE. We currently offer the non-ATAR course, Catholic Studies.  This Board endorsed course is being replaced in 2021 by a new course called, Studies in Catholic Thought.  Students currently in the Year 11 Catholic Studies class will continue their course through to Year 12.  The new unit will be offered to students entering Year 11 in 2021 and beyond.  Studies in Catholic Thought is structured around the study of two themes central to the Catholic tradition; “Who is a human person?” and “The Good Life”. It is through the exploration of these themes that students come to a deeper understanding of the richness of Catholic belief, thinking and tradition. We hope, and trust, that students of the new course will find it challenging, engaging and revealing.

The College is very happy to be commencing with religious celebrations and faith formation events in Semester Two.  Term Three should see us return to holding Faith Formation days for Year 7 and Year 8, as well as our annual Carroll Day Mass and the Year 12 Graduation Mass.  We have also begun planning and preparation for the Senior Retreat which is being held in Term 4 from 4-6 November. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for these important occasions in the life of the Carroll College community.

Erica Drewsen

RE Coordinator