» In Our Primary Schools
» In Our Secondary Schools
» In State Schools

In Our Primary Schools

1998 saw the initial implementation of new Religious Education (RE) Guidelines for Catholic Primary Schools and Secondary Colleges in Cairns Diocese.

For this purpose, Bishop of Cairns, James Foley has mandated the Perth Archdiocesan RE Guidelines for use in Catholic Primary Schools in the Diocese.

Subsequent to a period of evaluation and reflection on the merits of the major RE Guidelines in Australia, the Perth RE Guidelines were selected as best suited to our present needs here in the Cairns diocese. They were valued over other RE Guidelines due to the importance they give to:

• Beginning each unit of work with a topic relevant to the life-experience of the children
  
  
• Relating this life-experience to important facets of our Catholic Faith Tradition (eg, Sacraments, Scripture, etc)
  
  
• Exploring the relevance of this life-experience and Faith Tradition to the individual student
  
  
• Providing copious back-up materials for teachers in their lesson preparation and
  classroom use
  
  
• Providing relevant references and quotations for teachers from the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church.

During 2003, the revised RE Guidelines from Perth were introduced into Cairns Catholic schools and by the beginning of 2004, all schools had implemented the revised RE materials.

In Our Secondary Schools

2005 saw some major changes in Religious Education Curriculum in Secondary Schools across the Cairns diocese. After a number of years of using the Perth Religious Education Programme, a review of the use of these guidelines was undertaken in 2004. After significant consultation among Secondary APREs, Principals, CES staff and other stakeholders, it was decided to adopt the Brisbane Archdiocesan Religious Education Programme. Bishop of Cairns, James Foley mandated this for use in our Secondary Schools, commencing in 2005 with compulsory use across the diocese in 2006.

The Brisbane Archdiocesan Religious Education Syllabus was introduced to the Brisbane Archdiocese in 1998. This syllabus is still mandated for use in Brisbane schools, however in light of current educational practice, it has recently been revised to include Outcomes, and 41 Modules have been written for use from Years One to Ten. This Outcomes based approach is in line with that employed in other Key Learning Areas and it is considered advantageous to situate RE on the same educational footing as other subjects.  

The Programme is based on sound theology expressed in contemporary language, articulated in accessible Teacher Background material which provides support even for teachers without a strong foundation in Religious Education. The Religious Literacy approach, on which the programme is founded, is inclusive of students who have not benefited from prior Religious Education as well as those who come from a Catholic primary school background. It is also possible for students from other Christian traditions and other faiths to participate effectively in RE classes. In this way the programme adequately caters for the diversity of both staff and students in our secondary colleges.

The modules make use of a wide variety of best practice teaching strategies and contemporary resources including internet and multimedia which ensures a high level of engagement with the material presented, provides variety and maintains interest for both teachers and students.

The Brisbane Guidelines are also in use in Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville dioceses.  

2005 has been a year of significant change and transition with substantial professional development provided for all secondary RE teachers. Mark Elliott, an Education Officer with Brisbane Catholic Education and one of the writers of the modules, spent considerable time in the diocese in 2005 working both with APREs and directly with RE teachers.  

2006 sees our first full 'official' year of use of the programme with enthusiasm for what is a fresh and enlivening approach to religious education in our Secondary schools.

Effective faith education occurs within co-operative partnerships between the home, parish and school. If any parent wishes to receive more specific background on their child's Religious Education, please do not hesitate to contact the school or college. Copies of the Brisbane Archdiocean RE Programme are available for perusal or limited borrowing during business hours from the Diocesan Resource Centre .

In State Schools

Religious Education for Catholic children attending State Schools is provided by a dedicated group of volunteer Catechists at many schools throughout the diocese. Children attend classes at the discretion of their parents. In most cases classes are conducted once a week. Sacramental preparation takes place within these classes in conjunction with the Parish and families.

Catechists are organized by volunteer coordinators within each Parish. The diocese has also appointed part-time Coordinators who direct and support the activities of Catechists. There are three Coordinators, one for each Deanery: Northern - Greater Cairns City, based at St Joseph's Parish, Parramatta Park; Southern - based at St Clare's Parish, Tully; and Western - Tablelands, based at St James' Parish Malanda. The Coordinators report directly to their respective Dean and are supported by the Diocesan Faith and Religious Education Coordinator at Catholic Education Services.

For information relating to State School Religious Education please contact your school Principal or the Parish Priest in the parishes mentioned above.