The Religious Education Curriculum provides the Catholic Schools of Aotearoa New Zealand, with a systematic approach to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Religious Education Curriculum, although intentionally educational, does aim to help students to develop a relationship with God and to witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ by the way they live. The programme also aims to teach material that is theologically sound.

Years 7 & 8 Programme

The Year 7 & 8 classes follow the Religious Education Programme For Catholic Primary Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand as approved by the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand. As they have composite classes of Year 7 & 8, they follow a Year A & B timetable.

Learning Strand - GOD – TE ATUA – IO MATUA KORE

Year 7 Focus: God’s desire for Humanity

Year 8 Focus: The Mystery of God

Learning Strand – JESUS CHRIST – HEHU KARAITI

Year 7 Focus: Saviour and Liberator

Year 8 Focus: His values and the Role of Disciples Today

Learning Strand – THE HOLY SPIRIT – TE WAIRUA TAPU

Year 7 Focus: The Holy Spirit in Scripture

Year 8 Focus: The Mission of the Holy in the Church and in the World

Learning Strand- CHURCH – Community of Disciples – TE WHANAU A TE KARAITI

Year 7 Focus: The Teaching Church

Year 8 Focus: The Living Church

Learning Strand – SACRAMENT - HAKARAMETA

Year 7 Focus: Called for others

Year 8 Focus: Commitment

Learning Strand – COMMUNION OF SAINTS – TE KOTAHITANGA O TE HUNGA TAPU

Year 7 Focus: Choices

Year 8 Focus: Life, Death and Christian Hope

Year 9- 13

Year 9-13 classes follow Understanding Faith, the Religious Education Programme for Catholic Secondary Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand as approved by our Bishops.

Year 9 Topics:

9A MY STORY, OUR STORY

9B THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS

9C EUCHARIST AND THE CHURCH’S YEAR

9D THE CHURCH’S STORY – THE BEGINNINGS

9E CREATION AND CO-CREATION

9F THE BEGINNINGS OF THE CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

9G RECOGNISING SIGNS OF GOD

9H SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Year 10 Topics:

10A DISCOVERING OUR IDENTITY

10B JOURNEY STORIES

10C THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EUCHARIST

10D THE CHURCH’S STORY – THE MIDDLE AGES

10E INSPIRING MEN AND WOMEN

10F SINFULNESS AND RECONCILIATION

10G THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS

10H EXPRESSIONS OF CATHOLIC LIFE

Courses and Qualifications Offered in Years 11-13

At Years 11, 12 & 13, students have the opportunity to sit approved Achievement Standards and to gain NCEA credits at Levels 1, 2, & 3. Each Achievement Standard is worth 6 credits and a minimum of 18 credits is offered at each level. These AS are all internally assessed.

As required by the NZ Catholic Bishops, the Understanding Faith Curriculum continues to be studied while NCEA assessments are focused on three of four broad areas: Sacred Text (Scripture), Ethics, Sacred Beliefs and Church history.

Many students will also have the opportunity to work on more practical or creative units in spirituality and faith. A few may work on relevant Unit Standards where these are available.

YEAR 11

Level 1 Achievement Standards towards NCEA LEVEL 1

Sacred Text: Understanding the Gospel Story

Ethics: Moral Decision Making

Belief: The Trinity and Reverence For Life

History: The Reformation

YEAR 12

QUALIFICATION:

Level 2 Achievement Standards towards NCEA LEVEL 2

Sacred Text: Biblical Studies

Ethics: Christian Morality

Belief: Loss, Death, Grief and Dying

History: Christian Art, Architecture and Music

YEAR 13

Level 3 Achievement Standards credit for NCEA LEVEL 3 and UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE

Sacred Text: Who is Jesus the Christ?

Ethics Current Religious Issues e.g. Bioethics.

Belief: Exploring Meaning