Religious Education - Department Overview

Religious Education at Academy of Mary Immaculate has as its primary objective the faith formation of each student in its care during their time at the College.

Within the contexts of

• the Roman Catholic Tradition,
• the Sisters of Mercy charism,
• the heritage of school,
• the diverse and rich cultures present at the College,
• the challenges presented by the 21st century and
• each individual’s family background,

The Religious Education Department makes the best use of current research, theory and practice in education in leading its students ‘to be fully human and fully alive’ (John 10:10).  The units of work provide scope and opportunity for development of broad knowledge and skills required for gradual, meaningful, resilient and thorough participation in the broader community.  The word religion takes its origin from the Latin word ‘religare’, which means ‘to bind to’.  Religious Education’s rigorous and robust lessons aspire to connect or bind students to the rich reality of the world, others, themselves and God.  It promotes and invites the Christian paradigm of all creation as being good (Gen 1:31) and the call of all to love (Mk 12:30-31).

Academy of Mary Immaculate looks to the Guidelines for Religious Education of Students in the Archidiocese of Melbourne (1995), the Catecism of the Catholic Church, resources such as the Archdiocessan text “To Know, Worship and Love” and Victorian Curriculum Assessment authority accredited V.C.E. courses of Religion and Society and Texts and Traditions to connect it to the rich source and substance of Religious Education found in The Scriptures, Liturgy and Sacrament, Tradition, The Church, The Lives of People and The World Around Us.

Faith Formation is encouraged in a number of ways at Academy of Mary Immaculate.  Formal lessons, units of work, prayer, meditation, contemplation, silence, discussion, analysis, reading, argument, research, question, thinking, environmental stimuli, liturgical and para-liturgical celebration, guest speakers, reflection days, community work, justice groups and works of mercy, dialogue and feed back are a number of avenues for catecheisis and evangelisation.

The Department encourages continued development of programs that promote best practice learning and ultimate faith development.  The College Community participates in this evangelising and catechesis work of the Church in the Gospel spirit of Faith, Hope and Love preached by St. Paul of Jesus (1Cor 13:13).

Andrea Luscombe & Marguerite Buckley
Co-Directors of Religious Education