RELIGIOUS EDUCATION at St Mary MacKillop Primary School.
As a Catholic school, St Mary MacKillop Primary School is committed to promoting and living the values of the Gospel as expressed through our Vision Statement.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Religious Education program is guided by the Religious Education Framework of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS).
The program supports students to grow in relationship with God while recognising families as the primary educators in faith. Learning builds on the experiences of each child and nurtures their spiritual, moral and personal development. Classroom teachers, supported by the Religious Education Leader, plan engaging units of work that develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.
PRAYER AND LITURGY
Prayer and liturgy are central to the Religious Education program at St Mary MacKillop Primary School. All members of the school community regularly participate in prayer and liturgical celebrations. The whole school celebrates Mass together at least four times each year, with each year level also attending Mass at least twice per term.
Each class sets aside daily prayer time at the beginning of the day to foster a reflective and prayerful tone. Prayer is embedded in the life of the school and forms an essential part of shared practices, including whole school assemblies and weekly staff meetings.
Liturgies and paraliturgies (prayer services) are planned in accordance with the Church calendar, feast days, special school events and Religious Education units of work. Students are encouraged to actively participate in and lead prayer at assemblies, within classrooms, during liturgical celebrations and at Parish Mass.
All classrooms include prayer tables, Bibles and religious symbols and artefacts, with prayerful displays evident throughout classrooms and across the school environment.
SACRAMENTS
St Mary MacKillop Primary School celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Eucharist in Year 3, and the Sacrament of Confirmation in Year 6.
Each Sacramental program is planned collaboratively by classroom teachers, the Religious Education Leader, the Principal and the Parish Priest. Family Information Sessions are provided to support understanding of each Sacrament and to nurture the faith development of both students and their families.
These sessions provide opportunities for parents and children to learn and grow together through shared learning and discussion. The Sacramental program ensures students are well prepared to receive each Sacrament, which is celebrated within Mass and supported by both school and parish communities.