Workshops: Focus Areas

The RE Symposium will feature workshop and focus group areas. These workshops are organised into themes which respond to the different dimensions of the Catholic Identity of the School, and Religious Education. Workshops have various sizes, based on rooms allocated at MCEC, in non-reserved seating. At the end of the RE Symposium, schools will be invited to consider which of these workshop areas could be a focus for them in the coming twelve month. Schools will be invited to connect with others in focus groups for the coming year to continue to develop and improve towards excellence. The workshop areas are organised into three groups that reflect dimensions of the Catholic School.

  • Culture and Ethos of the School
  • Whole School Life of Faith
  • Religious Education Curriculum

Religious Education Curriculum

Religious Education Curriculum

Focusing on the content of the RE curriculum, this thematic area will open teachers and leaders to learning about the foundations of the curriculum. Workshops in this area will focus on the structure of the curriculum and implementation strategies useful for schools.

Pedagogy

Focusing on teaching and learning strategies in RE classrooms, this thematic area will encourage teachers to implement modern pedagogical approaches in classrooms alongside approaches to faith-based learning. Workshops in this area will focus on teachers and leaders learning about modern pedagogy and designing classroom learning experiences.

Scripture

Focusing on the use of scripture in RE classrooms, this thematic area will encourage teachers to implement solid techniques for teachers and students in learning about sacred scripture. Workshops in this area will focus on ways of knowing and teaching the scriptures that is critically reflective and open to personal engagement.

Whole School Life of Faith

Prayer

Focusing on the whole school life of prayer, this thematic area will address the use of spiritual prayer practices in classes that engage and motivate us to lift up our minds and hearts to God. Workshops in this area will focus on age-appropriate prayer practices which engage school communities to participate in prayer individually and communally.

Sacraments, Sacramentality and Sacramental Imagination

Focusing on three distinct but complementary areas of the school, this thematic area will involve school leaders and clergy exploring the differences between sacraments, sacramentality and the sacramental imagination of the school. Workshops in this area will focus on assisting schools and clergy working together to celebrate the liturgy, as well as preparing students to participate in the sacraments either for the fist time or in an ongoing way.

Mission Together

Focusing on the outward relationships of the school to the world, this thematic area will encompass ways in which the school community connects with other missions in the Church, such as the parish and social justice, to enliven the Gospel. Workshops in this area will focus on deepening relationships between schools, parishes, and the wider Catholic community in its mission to share the Good news of Jesus Christ.

Whole School Life of Faith

Leadership

Focusing on the ways in which leaders in Catholic schools develop and grow, this thematic area will open up avenues for teachers, leaders, and clergy to work towards the overall aims and objectives of Catholic schools. Workshops in this area will focus on the different roles of leadership in the Catholic school and how individuals can be assisted to grow into their leadership or emerge as leaders of the future.

Catholic Identity

Focusing on the ways of being Catholic, this thematic area invites schools and clergy to work closely together to celebrate and live the Christocentric identity of a Catholic School. Workshops in this area will focus on the expression of Catholic culture and identity in art, music, and community to express the central belief in Jesus Christ in schools.

Tradition and Shared Story

Focusing on the common ground of all people in the Catholic school, this thematic area engages schools and clergy to open themselves us to ways on knowing the shared story of the Catholic Church, as well as the stories of all in the community. Workshops in this area will focus on ways of incorporating cultural perspectives, from First Nations peoples, other Christian and cultural traditions, and other religious traditions including those with a Jewish heritage, in a way that enhances the Catholic life of the school.

Catholic Worldview

Focusing on the overall vision for the human person in Catholic schools, this thematic area invites schools and clergy to look holistically at the school in a way that is informed by the Catholic view of the world. Workshops in this area will focus on pastoral care practices, the Christian vision for the human person, respectful relationships, and our relationship to the world.