RE at Our Lady Star of the Sea

 

The primary content of all religious education material is the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church and their implications for the lives of people today, and particularly for the lives of the pupils. Religious education material must, therefore, always present the three key elements of the Christian faith:

 

• - that every human event is marked by the creative activity of God which communicates goodness to all beings;
• - that the reality and power of sin limit and numb every person;
• - that the life, death and resurrection of Christ, communicated by the Holy Spirit, give believers the hope of a definitive ‘fulfilment’.
• - Material not incorporating those three elements “cannot be authentically Christian”. 

 

Other faiths are addressed as a consequence of, and in the context of, Catholic teaching. Catholic teaching about the action of God in the world requires an informed and respectful approach to other faiths. By a study of the action of God in these faiths, Catholics can come to a deeper appreciation of the revelation of God in Christ. Catholics can also learn from the practices of other faiths (e.g. patterns of prayer, fasting, pilgrimages etc. cf. GDC para. 200).

 

The syllabus incorporates attainment targets: learning about the Catholic faith (AT1) and learning from the Catholic faith (AT2). These are set out in the form of specific key learning objectives for each module.

 

Foundation Stage

 

F1 – God’s World – children will have the opportunity to learn that God loves and cares for each one of us and to reflect on this. They will hear about and respond to the things God created for us and know that God has asked us to care for the world. Think of ways in which we can help to do it.

 

F2- God’s Family – children will have the opportunity to become aware that God made them to be part of his family and that everyone else is part of it too.  God made us to know and love him and to show our love for God by helping one another

 

F3 – Getting to know Jesus – children will be given the opportunity to learn that Jesus loves each one of us and to think of ways in which we can show our love for Jesus.  To hear that Jesus cured people who were ill and to think of ways in which we can show our love for people who are ill.  Children will also hear the story of the Wedding at Cana and begin to know that Jesus shows us a God of love and compassion.

 

F4 – Sorrow and Joy – children will have the opportunity to understand that we should always try to be kind to each other and to understand that sometimes we forget to be kind to each other.  They will learn that we can say sorry when we hurt someone and Jesus can help us to do this – we need to ask Jesus to help us to be kind to others.

 

F5 – New Life – children will hear that because Jesus rose from the dead we experience Easter joy. They will have the opportunity to know the story of Jesus meeting with Mary Magdalene when he rose from the dead and to begin to understand why this story is important. The children will hear about the joy and peace Jesus gave to his disciples and to know the story of Jesus going back to his Father in heaven.

 

F6 – Church –  children will be given the opportunity to know that we call the Church the family of God and that a church building is a holy place where we can all pray and are welcome.  They will learn that Jesus is present in a special way in the tabernacle and we can visit him and why Sunday is a special day for Christians.

 

Year 1

 

1.1 God’s Great Plan - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of God’s beautiful world. It also helps the children appreciate that God created them because he loves them and that each person should thank God for the gifts of creation and help God look after the world.

 

1.2 Mary, Mother of God - improves the children’s knowledge and understanding of Mary and her role in God’s sending of his Son, Jesus. It introduces the children to the stories of the Nativity of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel which are told from Mary’s point of view. The topic also gives opportunities for the children to learn about the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas and their respective rituals, signs and symbols.

 

1.3 Families and Celebrations - fosters the children’s knowledge and understanding of what it means to belong to the family called the Church. There are opportunities at this point to explore the celebration of Baptism. It introduces the topic by exploring what it means to belong to a family and the school community. The topic also gives opportunities for the children to know that God is our Father in heaven and about special celebrations that take place in Church. The children will learn about the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and that the title ‘Jesus, light of the world’ comes

 

1.4 Following Jesus - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The topic gives opportunities for the children to learn about Jesus’ choice of his first disciples or friends – the fishermen. The children will hear the Parable of the Good Samaritan and reflect on its meaning. They will listen to the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and think about how they can welcome Jesus. They will learn that Jesus died on Good Friday and that God raised him from the dead on Easter Sunday.

 

1.5 Resurrection - encourages children’s knowledge and understanding of the Resurrection of Jesus and its message. The children will learn that Easter is the most important Christian feast because Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. They will learn about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and reflect on times when their own sadness turned to joy. They will be introduced to Thomas the apostle and reflect on the importance of his story.

 

1.6 Miracles - children explore the role of miracles in the life of Jesus. The children will learn that Jesus had the power to perform miracles and that he performed miracles to show his love and care for others. They will hear the stories of the Calming of the Storm, the healing of the paralysed and blind man. They will reflect on the message of the miracle stories and on how they act towards others.

 

Year 2

 

2.1 The Chosen People - helps the children appreciate that they are chosen and gifted by God to do him some definite service: to help others. It also develops the children’s knowledge of Abraham, Moses and Daniel and gives some understanding of their faith and trust in God.

 

2.2 Mysteries - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of the term ‘mystery’ and of the Christian understanding of God as ‘Trinity’. The topic goes on to outline the story of Jesus’ birth and the role played by the Father and the Holy Spirit through the characters of Mary and Joseph.

 

2.3 The Good News - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of the joy that Jesus brings and to reflect on how we can bring joy to others. The children will learn that Jesus brings the good news of God’s love through his miracles and so turns sadness into joy.

 

2.4 The Mass - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of the celebration of the Mass. The children will learn about the readings at Mass and why they should listen to them. They will know what happens at the Offertory and that the bread and wine are changed into Jesus.

 

2.5 Eastertide - develops the children’s knowledge and understanding that Jesus rose from the dead at Easter and is present with us today. The children will learn about the appearance of Jesus to his disciples and his Ascension to heaven. They will learn about Pentecost and the symbols of the Holy Spirit.

 

2.6 Birth of the Church -  develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of the beginning of the Church. They will learn that the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to spread the Good News and about what the early Christian community was like. The children will reflect on how they can spread the Good News.

 

Year 3

 

3.1 The Christian Family - This topic is intended to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism. Through the topic children explore what it means to belong to a family and the Christian family.

 

3.2 Mary our Mother - This topic is designed to help the children reflect on the role of Mary. The children will develop their understanding of Advent as a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus and are encouraged to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

 

3.3 Called to Change - This topic is designed to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and how he helped people change for the better. The children will reflect on the process of reconciliation and know that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s love and forgiveness.

 

3.4 Eucharist - This topic is designed to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of the Mass. The children will reflect on the importance of Sunday and why Catholics go to Mass. They will learn about different parts of the Mass like the Liturgy of the Word, the offertory, words of consecration and sign of peace.

 

3.5 Celebrating Easter and Pentecost - This topic is designed to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of Easter and Pentecost through the Story of Emmaus and through Acts 2: 1-13 (Pentecost). The children will reflect on the celebration of new life and on the signs and symbols of the Easter season. They will reflect on the importance of belief through the story of ‘Doubting Thomas’. They will learn about the symbols and fruits of the Holy Spirit and reflect on how the Holy Spirit helps them to live their lives.

 

3.6 Being a Christian - This topic is designed to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of living as a Christian. They will learn about the how St. Peter became a follower of Jesus and how Paul became a Christian. The children will reflect on how they can use their gifts to live as a Christian.

 

Year 4

 

4.1 The Bible - In this topic, the children will learn that the Bible tells us about God and his love for us. They will learn some Old Testament stories and be introduced to some important religious themes like trusting in God and prayer. They will be given the opportunity to develop their research skills by looking up Bible references.

 

4.2 Trust in God - In this topic, the children will learn Jesus’ teaching on the importance of trusting in him. They will explore the importance of trusting in God as well as the difficulties it brings through the stories of Zechariah, Mary and Joseph.

4.3 Jesus, the Teacher - In this topic, the children will learn that Jesus was a teacher who came to show us how to live. They will explore Jesus’ early life and learn about his presentation in the Temple. The children will know that Jesus used parables in his teaching and reflect on the meaning of the Parable of the Sower and Unforgiving Servant.

 

4.4 Jesus, the Saviour - In this topic, the children will learn that Jesus came from God to share our life so that we can share in the life of Jesus. They will reflect on how Jesus is like us and how he is like God. They will consider ways in which they can share in the life of Jesus. They will learn about the events of Holy Week, particularly Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

 

4.5 Mission of the Church - In this topic, the children will learn about the mission entrusted by Jesus to his followers to tell everyone the good news. The children will focus on Peter who was chosen by Jesus to be leader of the disciples, the first Pope. They will also learn about Stephen, the first Christian martyr and St. Paul. The children will learn about Pentecost and reflect on the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

 

4.6 Belonging to the Church - In this topic, the children will learn what it means to belong to the Church community. They will explore the nature of community, the importance of identity and commitment, and relate this to the Sacrament of Baptism and the Creed.

 

Year 5

 

5.1 Gifts from God - This topic outlines some of the key beliefs about the creation of the world and the creation of human beings. The children are encouraged to reflect on the meaning of being made in God’s image as well as the story of ‘The Fall’. They will reflect on their stewardship of creation and on their care for others through work on St. Francis and St. Vincent de Paul.

 

5.2 The Commandments - In this topic, the children will be introduced to the Ten Commandments. They will learn that God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses as a gift to help us to live as God wants. In the latter part of the topic the children will learn how God sent Jesus, his only Son, to help us live the commandments.

 

5.3 Inspirational People - In this topic, the children will learn about the qualities possessed by followers of Jesus through the theme of inspirational people. They will be introduced to inspirational followers of Jesus like Fr. Damien and be encouraged to reflect on how they can follow Jesus in their own lives.

 

5.4 Reconciliation - In this topic, the children will learn that God heals our friendship with him and others through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

5.5 Life in the Risen Lord - In this topic, the children will understand the Jesus is risen from the dead and is present to us in different ways. They will hear the story of Jesus appearance to Mary of Magdala. They will have an opportunity to learn about different ways of praying and Jesus’ teaching and example of prayer.

 

5.6 People of Other Faiths - In this topic, the children will learn about some of the similarities and differences that exist between Christianity and other world faiths. They will have an opportunity to learn about beliefs, behaviour and places of worship.

 

Year 6

 

6.1 The Kingdom of God - In this topic, the children will be introduced to the concept of the Kingdom of God. They will explore the concept of the Kingdom of God through some of the parables and miracles of Jesus and ways in which people respond to Jesus’ invitation to belong to his Kingdom.

 

6.2 Justice - In this topic, the children will learn what justice is and know that they are called to work for justice in the world. They will explore the concept through work on the prophet Elijah and John the Baptist as well as more modern day Christians like Oscar Romero. In the latter part of the topic the children will explore the meaning of Advent and the customs associated with Advent and Christmas.

 

6.3 Jesus, the Bread of Life - In this topic the children will learn about the different parts of the Mass, particularly the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They will learn about the first Passover and show an understanding of the links between it and the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples. They will reflect on the importance of the body and blood of Christ for Catholics.

 

6.4 Jesus, Son of God - In this topic the children will learn that the miracles Jesus performed led many to believe that Jesus was God’s Son. They will reflect on the reactions of people to the miracles and come to know that opposition to Jesus’ actions led to his arrest. They will learn about the events of Holy Week and consider their importance for us.

 

6.5 The Work of the Apostles - In this topic the children will learn that the apostles of Jesus were ordinary people who answered the call to follow Jesus. They will reflect on their own calling to be a follower of Jesus. They will know how the apostles changed when they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and reflect on how they can be changed. The children will know something about how the early Christian community lived and learn that the life of the first apostles was not easy.

 

6.6 Called to Serve - In this topic the children will learn that they are called to serve God by loving one another. They will reflect on their own calling to follow Jesus and explore how they can use their gifts in the service of God and other people. The children will learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation and how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given through it. They will explore how Marriage and Holy Orders are ways through which people can serve God.