A lively and interactive scheme, “The Way, The Truth and The Life”, supports teaching and learning in this area. Taught by the class teacher, in the Early Years the children begin by learning about God’s world, His creation and their unique place in it. Later they come to understand the significance of the important festivals in the Church’s year as well as festivals from other faiths. As the children become more mature, they find out about inspirational people and discuss important issues such as justice and tolerance. In Year 3 we help the girls towards an understanding of God’s forgiveness and  love, supporting their preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

 

  

As we draw from a range of other religions and cultures, the study of other faiths is embedded in our scheme of work and we take every opportunity to learn more and share in the faith journeys of our children from other religions and cultures.

 

 

All these concepts and ideas are taught in lively, interactive and cross-curricular ways, making excellent use of ICT, role play activities which bring bible stories and characters to life, art, and writing short plays and reports. In this way, religious education is set in a meaningful and useful context for the children through other subjects, e.g. the story of Moses and the Exodus can be rewritten as a dramatic newspaper report, using skills learnt in English and then performed as an item on a news programme!

 

As a school we meet at least twice a week as a whole school for collective worship, where classes write and present their own assemblies for the rest of the school. On other days, children worship as a class with prayer times at the beginning and end of each day. Important events in the Church’s year are recognised and celebrated through liturgies and Masses, prepared by the staff and children. Parents are welcomed to share in these celebrations. 

 

  

Throughout their time at Holy Cross, the children are encouraged to relate what they learn to their own experience. The overall aim is to unfold to all our girls, God’s plan for our growth and help them to an understanding relationship with Him and His creation.