RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education as a subject compliments the totality of the Catholic religious experience. It is taken by all students from Reception to Year 12 and enjoys equal status with other subject at Blackfriars. It is based upon the values of the Gospel, reflected in the community through Christian living, faith development and knowledge of Catholic and Dominican traditions.

As a Dominican educational community, Blackfriars hopes its students will "experience learning and living fully integrated in the light of faith" throughout all aspects of there lives. The Religious Education Department plays an important role in helping students achieve this goal.

The Religious Education Department provides a program of study for all students. The members of the department recognise that students come to Blackfriars from diverse religious backgrounds, and make no presumptions about the religious knowledge or practice our students bring with them. All Religious Education courses are taught as part of the academic curriculum with corresponding academic requirements.

Faith in God through Jesus Christ is a grace, a free gift from God. The purpose of the Religious Education Department is not to convince students of certain truth or doctrines or to make them into adult believers. Many students are not ready for an adult faith commitment. Some are closer to this point than others, but most have many questions to ask. As they search for answers, the Religious Education teachers function as guides and helpers.

As a Catholic school, the focus of the Religious Education program is on Roman Catholicism. The purpose of our program is not to indoctrinate students; rather, we hope to serve each student in his own religious quest and to provide the opportunity for students to explore their own religious traditions and beliefs.

The academic nature of the RE program distinguishes it from other types of religious formation that takes place in our school and in the individual student's faith community.

Christian Service

Blackfriars Priory School is committed to instilling in its students the belief that what we learn is to be put in service of all God's creation, especially people in need. The Christian Service programme is responsible for organising a curriculum, programmes and events that provide students with an opportunity to appreciate and experience the vocation to service.

Christian Service at Blackfriars offers a process of building relationships with others, not just doing something for others. The process involves recognition not only of the needs of others but also their gifts. It is about allowing others to share their gifts, promoting an experience of ministry and in doing so that can be mutually beneficial. Such service can enable those who are invisible, voiceless, or devalued in our society to become seen, heard, and valued.
Education for justice and service to others are essential elements of a Blackfriars education, and our students make a progressively greater commitment to service throughout their six years in the senior school.

Finally, Christian Service and the Solomon Islands Project help to move each student beyond self-interest in his relationships. Through service of others he will appreciate even more the satisfaction of giving oneself for other people. He will be more capable of putting himself in another person's place and understanding what that person is feeling. Through the love and acceptance the student will give to others and receive from others, he will come to love and accept himself even more. Blackfriars wants each student to realise that love calls for a decision to give of oneself and follow through on that commitment by doing the work that love calls forth.

Spirituality & the retreat programme

The Retreat programme seeks to provide every student with the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Retreats are an integral part of the way each student is challenged to grow in Christian self-understanding, to develop a life of prayer and worship, and to respond to Christ's call to serve others.

Year 8 Retreat

This is held in Terms 2 & 4 as single day experiences. It is a non-residential retreat. The Retreat is a student-focused retreat combining off-campus with on-campus group activities. Staff guide the Year 8s through discussions, Mass and various activities intended to help them develop class unity, friendships among one another, and a more active relationship with God.

Year 9 Retreat

This is held over two terms and incorporates the year level camp and outdoor education experience. The Retreat is a one day off campus Retreat. It is a meditation on the life, ministry and message of Jesus in Galilee. It is a practical experience in which students walk along the beach in the footsteps of Jesus and imagine themselves in several scenes from Jesus' life in Galilee. Students are encouraged to connect these incidents and teachings with their own lives.

Year 10 Retreat

This Retreat offers today's disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity. This is the very essence of the discovery, discipleship, acceptance and growth. This is a residential retreat of 2 days as part of the year level camp. Whether sharing a meal together, spending time in prayer and discussion, or engaging in spontaneous games, participants learn from one another the lesson of faith, respect, compassion and brotherhood.

Year 11 ENCOUNTER Retreat

This Retreat is an essential component of the Year 11 Christian Service program. It is the "reflection" element when students are given an extended period of quality time to reflect on their two full days of service. This is a residential retreat of 3 days. Students have an opportunity to share their experiences in a variety of settings and to make decisions about future commitment.

Year 12 Retreat

Our senior students are given the opportunity to reflect on goals, their relationship with Jesus and others and encouraged to deepen and enrich that relationship through different styles of prayer. This is a residential retreat of 3 days.
 

GABY HACKETT
Dean of Religious Education
(E-mail address: ghackett@bps.sa.edu.au)