A message from the Leader of Religious Education
Sarah Gardiner
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
St Paul’s encouragement to remain steadfast in hope and prayer speaks beautifully to the work taking place in our Religious Education classrooms this term. Across Years 7–12, our students are encountering God in new and life-giving ways — through prayer, sacrament, justice, relationships, and the responsibility of learning.
Year 7 – Faith in Action
Students are exploring how Christians encounter God through the sacramentality of life, expressed in prayer, liturgy, and the Sacraments. They are developing active reading skills to engage more deeply with Scripture and are learning how prayer supports human flourishing in daily life. Their formal assessment, a reflective Prayer Journal, will be uploaded to Compass by 9am on Monday of Week 8 (8 September).
Year 8 – Faith in Justice
Year 8 students are engaging with Catholic social teaching and Jesus’ radical challenge of unconditional love to all. They are considering how Christians today live their faith through action for justice and service. Their formal task, a Letter to an MP on a chosen social issue, will be written during Week 8 lessons.
Year 9 – Caring for Our Common Home
Year 9 focuses on ecological responsibility and the call to care for creation. Their formal assessment is due on Compass by 9am Monday of Week 8 (8 September).
Year 10 – Growing in Loving Relationships
Year 10 students are reflecting on the theme of relationships, preparing for the Diocesan Religious Literacy Examination on Wednesday of Week 9 (17 September), with a catch-up scheduled for Monday of Week 10 (22 September) for those on work experience.
Year 11 – Preparing for Final Exams
Students are completing final preparations for their Year 11 examinations. Studies in Catholic Thought students are revising the topic Reimagining Creation, while Studies of Religion students are preparing for exams on Nature of Religion and Beliefs and their tradition studies.
Year 12 – Leading the Way
Our inaugural HSC cohort has completed their final school-based assessments, including the CSSA Trial exam. Teachers are finalising feedback as students turn their focus to revision. Their dedication and leadership have set a strong example for the whole College community.
As we move through the term, we are reminded that the work of faith is never only about tasks and deadlines, but about becoming people of prayer, justice, and hope.