No 76 Term 3 2010 SPREADING GOOD NEWS IN THIS LIFE WE CANNOT DO GREAT THINGS. WE CAN ONLY DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE. Mother Teresa
My dear SRE Teachers and Assistants, Welcome back to each of you for a new term. We are very fortunate to be able to attend the State schools to give our Scripture lessons. TRAINING DAYS From the oral teaching by the Apostles and the letters circulating among the Churches down to the most modern means, catechesis has not ceased to look for the most suitable ways and means for its mission, with the active participation of the communities and at the urging of the priests. This effort must continue. (Catechesi Tradendae 1979) Last term was a busy term. The two Training days went off very well at Narromine and Dunedoo. As always we try to put too much into the day. But they were both well attended and I m sure the SRE Teachers who attended went back to their communities and their classes with renewed vigour and encouragement to try something new especially in the use of resources. At the Narromine day Rev. Kaye Colwell, Education Officer from the Anglican Church and I presented the training. The topics led to much discussion and shared ideas. The Dunedoo day was presented by two ladies from Maitland/Newcastle Catholic Diocese. Mary and Zofia were very generous in sharing their skills and resources. The SRE Teachers and Assistants went home with renewed enthusiasm. JESUS THE CHRIST at a later time. The Resource Centre has the DVDs available. ETHICS There is information on the ICCOREIS web site. Every few days more is added. We receive information through the CCD Office at Wollongong from Bishop Peter Ingham. Continue to pray about the Ethics Program as there are genuine interviews given to the media, and people are misquoted. Bishop Peter Ingham and an ecumenical delegation will meet with Adrian Piccoli, the Shadow Minister for Education, to state our case for the retention of the status quo in the teaching of SRE. At the last ICCOREIS Board meeting the executive would organise a meeting with the other Faith Heads of Church. We are not the only players, so we need to present as a cohesive group. EDUCATION WEEK As to date the Order of Service for Education Week has not been put on the Department of Education and Training, Curriculum Support web site. Education Week 2010 will be celebrated in the schools during the week Sunday 1 st to Saturday 7 th August. TERM THREE OVERVIEW of PROGRAMS WALKING WITH JESUS PATHWAYS TO DISCIPLESHIP Jesus the Christ is the next econference from the Broken Bay Institute. It will be on the 16 th September. Please take the opportunity to attend or to listen to, in your own time, the econference. Register with Virginia Ryan for the conference vryan@bbi.catholic.edu.au If you are not able to listen on the day, you can listen to the conference Jesus said, I am the vine you are the branches John 15:5 The students will realise that Jesus is working in our lives. They will be challenged to recognise models of discipleship and to research specific models in great saints.
Nourished and Sustained will further develop understanding of Jesus presence in the Eucharist. Revise the story of the Disciples on the road to Emmaus. Reinforce that the Eucharist nourishes and sustains us in our lives. Revise the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Renewing awareness that we are responsible to share. Prayer continues to be a very important focus in the lives of the students. Lessons explain how prayer, sacraments and liturgical action are integral to the faith life of a Catholic. SUNDAY SCRIPTURES ALIVE Sunday Scriptures Alive continues in Ordinary Time. The readings are from Luke s Gospel chapter 10. The feast of the Assumption goes back to Luke 1: 39-56. In my missal the gospel reading is Luke 11:27-28. Both readings are appropriate. The rest of the term, the lessons continue to come from Luke s Gospel. Please be aware that there are four worksheets for the students to use. Be selective. CONNECT His love for us is wonderful; his faithfulness never ends. Shout praises to the Lord. Psalm 117:2 This term you will use the Blue C2 Teacher s Manual. The first four weeks the lessons come from the books of Kings. God chooses his Kings. The divided Kingdom. God is faithful to his promises and the Faithful Kings. The second part of the term looks at God as a loving Father, the Good Shepherd, loving people and giving to the needy, and using Matthew s gospel to build trust in God. Prayer continues to be a central part of the lessons. GODSPACE I m sorry I don t have a copy of this program. CODE OF CONDUCT 3. Duty of Care for SRE Teachers & Assistants The school owes a Duty of Care to its employees, which includes SRE Teachers & Assistants, and students. It is expected that an SRE Teacher & Assistant will contribute towards the fulfilment of this legal duty. SRE Teachers & Assistants will exercise with diligence, the duty of care that they owe to the student. In addition to this, SRE Teachers & Assistants are expected to take all reasonable steps to protect students from risk of harm. This may require making formal notifications/reports to government agencies as well as referring matters of concern to relevant personnel within the Catholic Diocesan Offices of Bathurst. SRE Teachers & Assistants are also expected to cooperate with the school to maintain a workplace environment that is positive, open and healthy for members of the school community. Each volunteer has a significant role to play in achieving and maintaining this objective. If SRE Teachers & Assistants were having difficulties in this area they should talk with their school SRE Coordinator and Parish Coordinator. The role of SRE Teachers & Assistants is to enhance the student s educational opportunities through Faith Development and Religious Education. Whilst in this role, the SRE Teacher & Assistant also has an obligation to fulfil Duty of Care requirements. SRE Teachers & Assistants must comply with the arrangements for student supervision put in place by the school for all activities where the student is under the Duty of Care of the SRE Teacher & Assistant. DUTY OF CARE INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING: Punctuality Reporting incidences of bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour to the appropriate school authority. Attending the needs of ill or injured students and notifying the supervising teacher or
school SRE Coordinator of whatever action has taken place. My responsibility as SRE Teacher & Assistant is to -Sign In at the school -Notify the school of my absence from a lesson so classroom teacher can make alternate arrangements for their class. -I encourage you to have prayer as an important part of your lesson. SURVEY We finalised the survey on Friday 11 th June for our Diocese when Mr. Shukri Sanber came to Orange to interview Father Carl Mackander PP, a group of Parents with children attending a Catholic school or a State school and going to classes of Scripture, two SRE/Scripture Teachers, two Teachers who teach Religious Education at a Catholic school, Dr. Angelo Belmonte from the Catholic Education Office and me. It was a full day but very rewarding. Mr Michael Croke provided a comfortable room for us to use at St. Joseph s school and the Staff made us feel very welcome. The result of the survey will be presented at the CEC/CCRESS Forum on the 27 th September. These days don t just happen so I m very grateful to all who worked with me to bring it to completion. Thank you. CANONISATION OF MARY MACKILLOP canonisation it will provide us with an opportunity to continue the spiritual renewal and evangelising work in our parish communities. There will be more information through our parish bulletins as the time nears. Coming Soon Jen Charadia is currently in production of a new CD in honour of Mary MacKillop s upcoming canonisation. (Approved by Sisters of St. Joseph North Sydney) http://www.renewalproductions.com.au Reflection Days The following two days have been organised. SENSING OUR SPIRITUALITY FORBES 2 nd JULY 2010 DUBBO 3 rd JULY 2010 Presenter REV. CHERYL CLENDINNING Baptist Pastor Open to all Special Religious Educators and Assistants The Diocese of Bathurst has set up a Mary MacKillop Canonisation Celebration Committee and one of the activities planned is a Mary MacKillop Exhibition which will visit each parish for a week. The dates are on a separate sheet. It is a wonderful time for the Australian Catholic Church as we prepare for the auspicious occasion Mary s This program is for each Special Religious Education Teacher and Assistant. It will be an opportunity for reflection and prayer. The day will begin at 9.30am for a 10.00am start and conclude at 2.00pm. Morning tea will be provided. You are asked to bring your lunch. Contact people
FORBES: David & Julie Virtue (02) 6852 1366 DUBBO: Helen C. Ryan (02) 6884 5848 CATHOLIC RESOURCE CENTRE NEW RESOURCES The Centre is processing a number of new resources into the collection. A few are noted below that may be of interest to catechists and scripture teachers. There are stories about God, a scripture activity book and a ready reference resource. 238.2/HOR 231./HOR Hore, Gerard Horan, Clare What Catholics Believe: a reference for parents, catechists, teachers and staff-members in Catholic schools. [St. Paul Publications, 2010] Wonderful God This book features multiple wonderful images of God... [St Pauls Publications, 2009] For information about borrowing resources or other services, contact Call/Order No: F:GAT F:GAT Author: Gately, Edwina Gately, Edwina Title - summary God Goes on Vacation. [Paulist Press, 1994, 2009] - Stretches the conventional notion of the divine using humour and whimsy to promote a greater understanding of God. A profound children s book from Paulist Press, an authoritative Catholic publisher. God Goes to School [Paulist Press, 2009] In the same vein as God goes on Vacation above, this story emphasises how each of us is unique and special. Mary Liesch or Anne Griffin Telephone: (02) 6331 8255 or (02) 6332 3077 (Catholic Education Office reception/switch) Fax: (02) 6332 4284 Email recentre@ceo.bathurst.catholic.edu.au Directory CCD SRE Helen C. Ryan PO Box 720 DUBBO NSW 2830 Home Phone: 02 6884 5848 Mobile: 0407 001 196 Email: hcryan@nsw.chariot.net.au 268.432/ANS Anstey, Liz The Gospels in Playdough : a hands-on approach to teaching children about Jesus. [Barton Books,:Barton, ACT 2009] - Stories from John the Baptist, Jesus birth through to the Ascension are included as 73 scripture based lessons. Vicki Mair 169 Keppel St. BATHURST NSW 2795 Home Phone 02 6332 2835