Religion
OVERVIEW - Mrs Josephine Lavelle
The Religious Education department in St. Marys strives to encourage and develop the faith development of all pupils within the school. Parents are the first most important spiritual educators of their children. Every morning during registration class groups join in prayer. This is a special way to start off the school day. We at St. Marys encourage pupils to be actively involved in their own spiritual development through the delivery of a monthly school Assembly. Every pupil in the school will have the opportunity to become involved in this very important school gathering.
We also offer regular liturgies and are supported with these by our local priests.
The Department is actively involved in developing the pupils spiritually and morally. We try to build up pupil’s self-esteem and encourage pupils to have respect for themselves, others and other Christian denominations. Therefore, we encourage the pupils to help those who are less fortunate, for example, Trocaire Appeal, Children in Need and St. Vincent de Paul. We also support the local parish by preparing pupils to be involved in Sunday liturgies, for example First Sunday of Advent and Lent because we believe it is very important that the school is involved in supporting the local community.
Religious Education is compulsory for all pupils. We offer GCSE courses in Religious Studies. Academically there has been great success at this level.
We also offer regular liturgies and are supported with these by our local priests.
The Department is actively involved in developing the pupils spiritually and morally. We try to build up pupil’s self-esteem and encourage pupils to have respect for themselves, others and other Christian denominations. Therefore, we encourage the pupils to help those who are less fortunate, for example, Trocaire Appeal, Children in Need and St. Vincent de Paul. We also support the local parish by preparing pupils to be involved in Sunday liturgies, for example First Sunday of Advent and Lent because we believe it is very important that the school is involved in supporting the local community.
Religious Education is compulsory for all pupils. We offer GCSE courses in Religious Studies. Academically there has been great success at this level.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3 (Year 8, 9 & 10)
Key Stage 3 students study Religion 2 periods a week following the Fully Alive Programme. Pupils study the Bible, different/other world religions, the revelation of God and Christian Morality.
The course begins with them looking at themselves and then develops on to look at the life of Jesus, Sacramental life and faith development. Religion is enjoyable, fun and encourages a faith life.
The programme of study has four Attainment Targets which form the basis for student assessment:
Learning Objective 1: The Revelation of God.
Pupils develop an awareness, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of key Christian teachings about God, Jesus Christ and about the Bible; they develop an ability to relate the Bible to life.
Learning Objective 2: The Christian Church
Pupils develop a knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the growth of Christianity, of Christian worship, prayer and religious language; they develop a growing awareness of the meaning of belonging to a Christian tradition, and sensitivity towards the beliefs of others.
Learning Objective 3: Morality
Pupils develop their ability to think and judge about morality, to relate Christian moral principles to personal and social life, and to identify values and attitudes that influence behaviour.
Learning Objective 4: World Religions
Pupils are introduced to two world religions other than Christianity in order to develop an appreciation and a culture of tolerance towards the religious beliefs, practices and lifestyles of people of other religions in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The course begins with them looking at themselves and then develops on to look at the life of Jesus, Sacramental life and faith development. Religion is enjoyable, fun and encourages a faith life.
The programme of study has four Attainment Targets which form the basis for student assessment:
Learning Objective 1: The Revelation of God.
Pupils develop an awareness, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of key Christian teachings about God, Jesus Christ and about the Bible; they develop an ability to relate the Bible to life.
Learning Objective 2: The Christian Church
Pupils develop a knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the growth of Christianity, of Christian worship, prayer and religious language; they develop a growing awareness of the meaning of belonging to a Christian tradition, and sensitivity towards the beliefs of others.
Learning Objective 3: Morality
Pupils develop their ability to think and judge about morality, to relate Christian moral principles to personal and social life, and to identify values and attitudes that influence behaviour.
Learning Objective 4: World Religions
Pupils are introduced to two world religions other than Christianity in order to develop an appreciation and a culture of tolerance towards the religious beliefs, practices and lifestyles of people of other religions in Northern Ireland and beyond.
GCSE (Year 11 & 12)
At GCSE (CCEA) level students study religion over 4 periods a week. and follow a curriculum of St Mark’s Gospel and Christian Ethics.
The Unit St Mark’s Gospels includes topics like:
Parables
Miracles
Discipleship
The Kingdom of God
Death and Resurrection of Christ
This Unit is studied and externally assessed in Year 11
The Unit an introduction to Christian Ethics includes topics such as:
Personal and Family Issues
Matters of Life and Death e.g.Abortion, Euthanasia
Care for the Environment
Equality
War and Peace
This Unit is studied and externally assessed in Year 12
Each of these units are worth 50% of GCSE. There is no Controlled assessment.
Religious Studies and Careers
Specialist jobs directly related to Religious Studies are Teaching and Ministry, both Ordained and Lay. A qualification in Religious Studies can be useful for archaeology, law, journalism, nursing, social work and personnel management. Employers who like applicants to have knowledge of themselves and their role in society view it favourably.
The Unit St Mark’s Gospels includes topics like:
Parables
Miracles
Discipleship
The Kingdom of God
Death and Resurrection of Christ
This Unit is studied and externally assessed in Year 11
The Unit an introduction to Christian Ethics includes topics such as:
Personal and Family Issues
Matters of Life and Death e.g.Abortion, Euthanasia
Care for the Environment
Equality
War and Peace
This Unit is studied and externally assessed in Year 12
Each of these units are worth 50% of GCSE. There is no Controlled assessment.
Religious Studies and Careers
Specialist jobs directly related to Religious Studies are Teaching and Ministry, both Ordained and Lay. A qualification in Religious Studies can be useful for archaeology, law, journalism, nursing, social work and personnel management. Employers who like applicants to have knowledge of themselves and their role in society view it favourably.
