Carroll College is proud to be a Catholic community where the person of Jesus Christ is at the heart of all we do and is the cornerstone on which we establish our identity and character. But what does a statement like this mean actually for your child in terms of what we present to them during the day, both in class and outside of the formal classroom? This piece will go some way to clarify two aspects of Religious Education: learning about religion and learning to be religious. (Moran, 1991)

Learning about religion 

The Religious Education curriculum used in the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn is from Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE). All Religious Education units have been developed using this curriculum and have been formulated with the needs of Carroll College learners at the forefront. These units of work educate students in four key strands of the Catholic tradition: Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life. These strands cover a broad range of topics that give students a rich, prayerful and academic experience of the Catholic tradition and the Body of Christ – the Church. Students are learning about religion and what it means to be a religious person in a modern context. These units were introduced in 2020 and by 2021 all units taught will be from the BCE curriculum. 

Students in Years 11 and 12 continue to study Religious Education. The courses students can select are “Studies in Religion I”, “Studies in Religion II” or “Studies in Catholic Thought”.

Learning to be religious  

An understanding of religion cannot be considered complete without an experience of the religious. Therefore, at Carroll College it is vital and valued that students experience the beauty and depth of the traditions of the faith. Participation in the gift of the Eucharist is offered as a whole school on three occasions throughout the year, the Combined Schools’ Mass, the Graduation Mass and the end of year Giving Mass.  Each of these celebrations of the Eucharist is an opportunity for students, staff and parents to have a close personal connection with Jesus. Students in Year 10 also participate in class Mass as part of their unit on the Eucharist where they receive a more intimate experience of the sacrament that enlivens their theoretical study. 

The CSYMA program has been a feature of the College for many years now. This program commences for one class in Years 9 and 10. Students in the CSYMA class have the opportunity to lead peer ministry facilitating the three sacramental retreat programs at St Bernard’s and St Mary’s as part of the K-12 Pathway. The CSYMA classes also lead the services for Easter and Carroll Day and the reflection at the Giving Mass. Year 10 CSYMA students are responsible for facilitating the Year 7 Formation Day. These important peer ministry events provide students with a very real experience of what it is to live a life of faith and what it is to evangelise. Opportunities to see and be part of faith in action are opportunities to develop a personal and deep understanding of being a religious person and are therefore a highly valued aspect of students’ development at Carroll College. 

Faith Formation programs from Years 7 to 10 and the Senior Retreat are cornerstones of the Religious Education Department. These programs are seen as an essential extension of the learning in the classroom and an opportunity for each and every student to engage in time for personal reflection about themselves, their place in the world and their relationship with God, self and others.  

Religious Education is, as you can see, a multifaceted discipline and one that is highly valued and respected at the College. 

Erica Drewsen
Religious Education Coordinator

Young Voices Awards 2021

Students might like to consider entering the following competition, Young Voices Awards through the publication, Australian Catholics. For more information please see Mrs Drewsen or the Australian Catholics website.

Australian Catholics is pleased to announce the 2021 Young Voices Awards, brought to you in conjunction with Australian Catholic University.

Do you have something you want to say to the world? Is there an issue you’re passionate about? Do you know an inspiring story you want to share? Here’s your chance to be heard.

The Australian Catholics Young Voices Awards are an opportunity for school students to have a voice – to use the media to make a difference in the world.

Whether it’s by crafting an inspiring article, capturing some profound images, or recording an informative podcast or video – we’re giving you the opportunity to get inspired and creative.

ENTRY AGES

The Young Voices Awards have three sections:

Junior (Years 5 and 6)

Intermediate (Years 7 to 9)

Senior (Years 10 to 12).

Entries can be in written, photographic, podcast or video formats.

USE YOUR VOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In 2018, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg started protesting outside Swedish Parliament calling for governments to take action on climate change for the sake of future generations. Young people around the world have been inspired by her words and actions, launching a global movement.

Young people have the ability to dream of a better world, and the passion to inspire change. What difference might your voice make?

Find an issue that inspires you and get working on your entry for this year’s Young Voices Award.

ENTERING THE YOUNG VOICES AWARDS

Before you start

What are you passionate about? Protecting the environment? Caring for the marginalised? Getting involved in your community? Sharing your culture? Celebrating your faith? Choose a topic that inspires you.

How might you get other people thinking about your topic? Is there someone you can interview? Is there an inspiring story you can share? How can you be creative so you can capture people’s attention with something different?

What format works best? Do you need to write an article, or could you present the topic through photographs? Could you record a podcast, or film a video? What will you have the most enjoyment doing?

Crafting a winning entry

Writing

Our judges will be looking for writing that engages readers from the outset and presents a compelling story or argument around a particular issue. You could write a journalistic article, interviewing people and sharing their perspectives. You could write an informative article, sharing facts and figures in a creative way. You could write a personal reflection, sharing your own ideas and experiences. You could even write an imaginative piece, engaging people with the power of stories.

Required word length: No more than 400 words (Junior) or 600 words (Intermediate and Senior).

Photography

Our judges will be looking for powerful images that have an impact on how we see a particular issue. Think about what will have an impact on audiences: What do people need to see? What will best tell the story you want to tell? What might inspire people to change?

Requirements: Between two and four photos, with a 30 to 50 word caption.

Digital

Our judges will be looking for podcasts or videos that understand how these mediums can inspire and influence people. You could feature a one-to-one interview with someone sharing their story, or have a single presenter unpacking a topic in an interesting or imaginative way. Make sure you consider how you might use different audio or visual elements to keep the audience’s attention.

Requirements: Entries (audio or visual) should be no more than three minutes long (Junior) or five minutes long (Intermediate and Senior) and should be accompanied by a transcript

Entries close at 5 pm, Friday 28 May 2021.