Education in Faith

‘Actions speak louder than words – let our words teach and actions speak!”    St Anthony of Padua

At St Anthony’s, we work in partnership with parents, parish and community to develop a sense of a positive relationship with our God, ourselves, our communities, and our world.  We do this  through positive community celebration and outwardly  visible signs of our Catholic identity.

 We are a community that welcomes all members of our community regardless of their level of religious belief, and foster a place where diversity is celebrated and all are welcomed into our Catholic tradition.

 At St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School we aim to:

  • To experience the hope expressed through the Catholic Tradition.
  • To provide a Religious Education Program that is connected to real life and provides knowledge about Christian traditions, with opportunities for dialogue with other traditions and perspectives
  • To nurture faith through the life of the school community through regular prayer, celebration of liturgy and the Religious Education Program
  • To challenge students to develop a deeper understanding of their own personal faith commitment.
  • To support families in the faith education of children at St. Anthony’s, and to encourage families to share in the life of the Parish.

Curriculum 

St. Anthony’s 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 5 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 faith  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.

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 St. Anthony’s 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
P-6 Learning Topic Term and Liturgical Year tie-in Synopsis
Prayer and God Term 1 Students will have an opportunity to reconnect to God through Prayer and begin the school year in a place of prayer and of growing in right relationship with God.
Lent, Holy Week, Easter Term 1

Lent, Holy Week, Easter Reconciliation

 Students will deepen their learning of prayer during Lent, explore Holy Week and the resurrection of Jesus, and connect with Year 3 as they prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They will celebrate the hope the resurrection brings to the world.
Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the Church Term 2

Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Confirmation

 Students will explore Pentecost and the birth of the Church, deepening their understanding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They will also consider their place in the Church community and connect with Year 6 as they prepare for Confirmation.
Discipleship and Saints Term 2

Feast of St. Anthony (June 13)

Confirmation

 Building on Pentecost, students will explore the role of disciples in sharing Jesus’ message through history and in their own lives. They will also reflect on Mary as Mother of the Church, linking to Mother’s Day, and learn Marian prayers.
Eucharist, Liturgy and Sacramentality Term 3

Eucharist

 Students will examine the Eucharist as the ‘Source and Summit of Christian Life’, its role in Mass, and its significance for Catholics. They will also explore other sacraments and connect with Year 4 as they prepare for First Eucharist.
The Bible and Scripture Term 3 Students will read and examine scripture texts and the bible itself, its history and purpose, and what can be learned and applied in our own lives.
Mission; Stewardship of God’s Creation Term 4 Students will build on their learning about discipleship, exploring right relationships, social justice, and their role as stewards of God’s creation.
Advent and Christmas

Term 4

Advent and Christmas

 Students will explore Advent as a time of waiting for the coming of Jesus, and explore scripture stories of the Old and New Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah.