H
hardtofind
Guest
Hi there
I’m looking for advice from parents of primary-school aged children. I’m a teacher in a systemic Catholic school in Australia. I am still trying to fill in many gaps from my own education in one of these schools and I am very passionate about helping the students in my class gain a better understanding of what it means to be Catholic and the traditions, beliefs and practices of our Church.
What sorts of things would you like your child to learn about in a Catholic classroom? What does a Catholic classroom look and sound like to you?
We do have a Religious Education syllabus but so many of the students I teach go to church occasionally, rarely or not at all so they lack basic catechism and education about Catholicism. For example, last year my students knew the Our Father and Hail Mary but not very many knew the Glory Be. Even fewer knew what the rosary was or how to pray it. For the most part, students who have been confirmed know the name of their confirmation saint but very little about that Saint’s life. They know Jesus died on a cross and that he rose again but not that it was three days.
Each semester we have the opportunity to go to a parish weekday mass and reconciliation. As a school we have mass another 2-3 times a year. We also have liturgies (I’m not sure if this is the right word - maybe prayer rituals is better) for a range of events such as Holy Week, ANZAC Day, Rememberance Day, feast day of our school’s namesake, feast day of the founder of our parish’s order, etc. Once a week we have a prayer assembly where a class leads the upper school (five year levels) in prayer. Sometimes we have great opportunities such as a seminarian from our parish come to visit us.
We have morning prayer (most mornings - this is something I worked really hard on improving last year). It’s led by myself sometimes and by students sometimes. We read scripture, pray the psalms, give thanks, prayers of petition, Christian meditation, sing hymns, read traditional prayers and more…not all on the same day of course!
Two years ago I decided I to finally learn the Nicene Creed so my students and I learnt it together. Most of the class memorised it by the end of the term. This was such a wonderful experience for the students, myself and the parents. Several parents, who do attend church regularly, commented to me how thrilled they were to hear their children join in the prayer.
Our assistant principal frequently reminds us that for many students in our school, their only experience with the Catholic Church is through the school. In the past year this really hit home when I realised that a very beloved relative of mine will be one of these students soon. He was baptised as an infant and I don’t think he has been in a church since. I love being a teacher and helping students improve as readers, writers, mathematicians and thinkers. It humbles me to be in a position where I can help them grow in faith as well.
I would love to know any thoughts or ideas you have on the Catholic classroom. What what would make you happy to see?!
ETA: I feel like I should add that I am not a parent myself. I teach children in the 8 to 11 year old range.
Many thanks!
PS: As I said, I am still learning many things myself. I love these forums for this reason! So if you see me make a mistake or show ignorance, please help me by letting me know.
I’m looking for advice from parents of primary-school aged children. I’m a teacher in a systemic Catholic school in Australia. I am still trying to fill in many gaps from my own education in one of these schools and I am very passionate about helping the students in my class gain a better understanding of what it means to be Catholic and the traditions, beliefs and practices of our Church.
What sorts of things would you like your child to learn about in a Catholic classroom? What does a Catholic classroom look and sound like to you?
We do have a Religious Education syllabus but so many of the students I teach go to church occasionally, rarely or not at all so they lack basic catechism and education about Catholicism. For example, last year my students knew the Our Father and Hail Mary but not very many knew the Glory Be. Even fewer knew what the rosary was or how to pray it. For the most part, students who have been confirmed know the name of their confirmation saint but very little about that Saint’s life. They know Jesus died on a cross and that he rose again but not that it was three days.
Each semester we have the opportunity to go to a parish weekday mass and reconciliation. As a school we have mass another 2-3 times a year. We also have liturgies (I’m not sure if this is the right word - maybe prayer rituals is better) for a range of events such as Holy Week, ANZAC Day, Rememberance Day, feast day of our school’s namesake, feast day of the founder of our parish’s order, etc. Once a week we have a prayer assembly where a class leads the upper school (five year levels) in prayer. Sometimes we have great opportunities such as a seminarian from our parish come to visit us.
We have morning prayer (most mornings - this is something I worked really hard on improving last year). It’s led by myself sometimes and by students sometimes. We read scripture, pray the psalms, give thanks, prayers of petition, Christian meditation, sing hymns, read traditional prayers and more…not all on the same day of course!
Two years ago I decided I to finally learn the Nicene Creed so my students and I learnt it together. Most of the class memorised it by the end of the term. This was such a wonderful experience for the students, myself and the parents. Several parents, who do attend church regularly, commented to me how thrilled they were to hear their children join in the prayer.
Our assistant principal frequently reminds us that for many students in our school, their only experience with the Catholic Church is through the school. In the past year this really hit home when I realised that a very beloved relative of mine will be one of these students soon. He was baptised as an infant and I don’t think he has been in a church since. I love being a teacher and helping students improve as readers, writers, mathematicians and thinkers. It humbles me to be in a position where I can help them grow in faith as well.
I would love to know any thoughts or ideas you have on the Catholic classroom. What what would make you happy to see?!
ETA: I feel like I should add that I am not a parent myself. I teach children in the 8 to 11 year old range.
Many thanks!
PS: As I said, I am still learning many things myself. I love these forums for this reason! So if you see me make a mistake or show ignorance, please help me by letting me know.