Religious Education

Religious Education is an intentional activity carried out in a particular way with students in Catholic schools. Its aim is to present the message of Jesus Christ and his Church in its entirety and, in making use of the best current research, theory and practice in education, lead students to a full and rich appreciation of the Christian life.

Religious Education plays an important role in the growth of faith in young people, thus it takes into account the opportunities and constraints of adolescent stages of growth and development and the structures of schooling.

Some of the basic principles of Religious Education are to

• Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ
• Encourage the development of all aspects of the human person
• Assist students to approach the search for truth and meaning through the story and traditions of the Church
• Expose students to the universal quest for truth and meaning in human existence and encourage them to respect the meaning systems of others
• Assist students to understand the role of Scripture and Tradition within the life of the Church
• Encourage students to celebrate the life of the Church, particularly through its liturgy
• Be relevant to and respectful of each student's stage of personal development, socio-economic background, cultural heritage and religious experiences
• Respect students' freedom in exploring their faith and moving towards commitment
• Encourage students to accept a social responsibility and provide opportunities for appropriate social action

The Religious Education Program is a compulsory part of the curriculum at Dominic College, which endeavours to develop these different aspects of each student's Christian growth and education. It encourages the growth and development of all students in the understanding of and participation in their Christian faith. The Program consists of formal classroom teaching where instruction takes place and knowledge is gained along with activities outside the formal classroom that directly relate to Religious Education.

These activities include:

• Significant liturgical celebrations of the Church's Seasons and Feast Days of the College's Patron Saints
• Year level Retreats
• Interest groups, which meet to discuss or take action in an area of common concern or provide opportunities for voluntary liturgies and prayer groups

All of these are learning opportunities for growth in faith, for the development of a spirit of prayer, participation in liturgy and for living out Christian values.