Religious education is an essential and integral part of the life and culture of a Catholic school. Through religious education, students are invited to develop the knowledge, beliefs, skills, values and attitudes and prayer life needed to build a relationship with God and community through the person of Jesus Christ.
Religious education has four essential characteristics:
- It is Trinitarian. It recognizes God as the creator of all things who gives us Jesus. It is Jesus who reveals God to us, and in turn reveals God’s Spirit, through whom we understand our faith.
- It is based on Sacred Scripture through which we hear the mystery of God revealed, we hear the call to be in relationship with God and each other, and we learn how to pray.
- It is based on the life experience of the students through which they are invited to discern signs of God in their daily lives.
- It is presented within the tradition of the Catholic faith community which, based on Church teachings and sacramental and liturgical life, provides students with experiences of faith, prayer, and love.
RS1
Religious Studies 1 centers on the Person of Jesus Christ and inviting relationship with God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. Students gather to pray and focus on their life. They respond to God’s call and his grace through prayer and reflection on their experience. They pray, sing and explore the ways the faith speaks to their lives.
RS 2
Religious Studies 2 focuses its lessons to be Christocentric (centered on Jesus), Trinitarian (relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and Ecclesial (lived in the Church). Students are encouraged to respond in prayer, faith, and life. They are invited to respond to the message of the lesson. Through prayer, song and actions that express their beliefs, students are called to live out their role of discipleship among their peers, their families, and their school and parish communities.
RS3
Religious Studies 3 aims to focus on Jesus – His Person and His Works from the Sacred Scriptures and Church Teachings. Like other RS classes, RS3 offers education that prepares students for a life of learning and service. The lessons are arranged and prepared for a successful preparation and readiness of the students for the First Confession.
In this level, all students who are baptised will undergo the preparation and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They will read Bible stories, have a good understanding of the doctrines, know different prayers and compose basic prayers. Also, they will know very well the purpose of the sacrament, attend recollections and conference and participate in the ceremony of the Sacrament of the Reconciliation.
RS 4
The major theme of Religious Studies 4 is learning more about the Ten Commandments. In this year, students are led to understand the commandments that will help them to love God and love others. They will also learn about the Church and its history and teachings, the Mass and the sacraments, and their call to be disciples of Jesus.
In this level, students are also prepared for the reception of their First Holy Communion. They will be led to a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to help them recognise and appreciate Jesus, the Bread of life that they will be receiving in the sacrament. Students will also have recollections and other spiritual exercises as sacramental preparations.
RS5
Religious Studies 5 aims to focus on the Sacraments – the grace we receive and the call to mission. RS 5 is a year to learn and appreciate the value and the purpose of the sacraments celebrated in the Church, choose and make good decisions in life, pray for ourselves and for others, share God’s love to one another, share our faith, live a life filled with love and values, serve God and the community. And, to become disciples of Christ.
Students will reflect on the Bible passages, make an intention prayer and regularly create a graphic organiser of each sacrament. They will also have an opportunity to interview people about their vocation as they realise their own.
RS6
The major theme of Religious Studies 6 is learning more about God’s love for his people, and his action in their lives throughout history. In this year, students will learn about the covenant between God and his people as proclaimed in the Old Testament division of the bible, and how this covenant is fulfilled in Jesus as revealed in the New Testament division.
Students in this class will have group discussions and activities that will help them learn about God’s love for His people as stated in the books in the Bible. They will be led to reflect on the faith-experiences of God’s people and reflect and relate them to their personal faith in God. Thus, their awareness will lead them to a deeper desire to have an intimate relationship with God.
RS7
Religious Studies in Year 7 is entitled Knowing Jesus, Loving Jesus, and Following Jesus through the Bible. The course begins with an introduction to the Bible, which gives a basic knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures particularly on the structure, number of Books, major divisions, and brief descriptions of each section. Its emphasis is on the Gospel writings as the main source for knowing Jesus. It touches on the land of the Bible and the history of the people around the time of Jesus to help the students understand some texts in the Gospel writings that record the historicity of the Man, Jesus Christ. The bulk of the course is on the words and deeds of Jesus and the major events in his life that give meaning to our Christian life today.
RS8
Religious Studies 8 is the first year of the 2-year Confirmation of Program of SMM. In this level, students are led toward a more intimate union with Christ, a lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit- his gifts and actions in our life. This catechesis for Confirmation, therefore strives to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.
The confirmands are led to an active life of faith by assuming roles in the school, parish and/or the wider community according to their capacity. This is called community service project, which is meant to be initiatory, and not simply an obligation or requirement to accomplish. Thus awareness of their talents and abilities help the candidates decide what parish ministry they could serve well and hopefully continue to serve after their Confirmation.
RS9
RS 9 aims to prepare the students in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. They have series of class discussion on the Works and Value of the Blessed Trinity and Service in the Church. They have prayer groups which is a venue to be of service in the community. There will be series of Recollections and Conferences for the students, parents and god parents in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students are led to a deeper awareness of their talents and abilities that will help them decide what parish ministry they could serve well and hopefully continue to serve after their Confirmation.
