A message from the Leader of Religious Education
Sarah Gardiner
"Hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5)
Pope Francis reminds us in Spes Non Confundit for the Jubilee Year 2025:
"Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring."
As we begin a new year in Religious Education at Catherine McAuley, I’m excited to nurture the spirit of hope within our school community. Whether in the classroom, in conversations, or in moments of reflection, hope encourages us to look forward with faith and curiosity, embracing the journey ahead.
Welcoming New Faces
This year, we welcome several new teachers to the RE team:
· Maegen Morrissey
· Taylor Joyce
· Madeleine Stoneman
· Ellie Madden
· Oliver Stephens
· Thomas Bentley
We’re also excited to welcome our new Year 7 cohort as they begin their journey at CMCC. Their first term will be all about exploring what it means to belong to a faith community—starting with the idea of faith itself and how the Church’s story connects to their own experiences in a Catholic school. While the year ahead is full of unknowns, we encourage them to approach it with faith, curiosity, and hope.
What’s Happening in RE?
· Year 8 are the first to encounter our new curriculum, beginning with A Living Faith. This module explores what it means to be part of the Church today—its structure, mission, and how each of us can play a role in shaping its future.
· Year 9 will dive into life’s big questions about faith, meaning, and how people experience God. Through discussion, art, literature, and scripture, they’ll reflect on different perspectives and the role of wonder and awe in faith.
· Year 10 start the year with God and the Search for Meaning, tackling deep questions about suffering, evil, and belief in a loving God. They’ll engage with philosophy, scripture, and Church teaching to explore how faith offers hope in difficult times.
· Year 11 have stepped into their final stage of high school and settling into their chosen RE pathways. As they navigate new challenges and opportunities, we encourage them to embrace the hope that comes from learning, growth, and reflection.
· Year 12 are already deep into their programs. Studies of Religion students have received feedback on Task 1, while Studies in Catholic Thought students will receive theirs after submissions in Week 4. As they prepare for their final year, we hope they find reassurance in the progress they’ve already made and in the support of those around them.
No matter what year level, each student’s journey in RE is an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and discover how faith connects with their own lives. Through learning and discussion, we see that hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s something we choose to carry with us in the way we think, act, and engage with the world.
I’m looking forward to all the ‘good things to come’ in 2025—here’s to a year of learning, growing, and walking together in hope!