Religious Education in Term 2

Semester One so far has been a rich and meaningful time in Religious Education at Saint Ignatius College Geelong, with students continuing to deepen their understanding of faith, identity, community and service through learning, reflection and encounter.

A highlight of the term was the Year 9 Encounter Day, which provided students with an important opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday school life and engage more deeply with themselves, others and God in a personal and authentic way. Grounded in the Ignatian tradition that shapes our Catholic Identity, the day encouraged students to reflect on who they are becoming and how they are called to live as people of compassion, courage and service.

We were privileged to welcome Sam Clear as our guest speaker for the day. Sam shared his powerful personal story of faith, resilience and transformation, inspiring students to consider the importance of gratitude, hope and meaningful relationships in their own lives. His message challenged students to recognise the dignity of each person and to reflect on how authentic encounters can shape both individuals and communities.

Throughout the day, students participated in a range of activities designed to foster connection, reflection and belonging. These experiences encouraged students to engage thoughtfully with their peers, build positive relationships and consider the ways in which they can contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive community.

The Encounter Day concluded with a mass that invited students into prayerful reflection and contemplation. In keeping with the Ignatian tradition, the liturgy created space for stillness, gratitude and openness to God’s presence in everyday life. Students were encouraged to recognise that faith is not simply something learned in the classroom, but something lived through sacrament, relationships, service and encounter.

Alongside these formative experiences, the Religious Education Learning Area has also been engaged in significant curriculum development throughout the term. Our Year 9 curriculum is currently under review as we continue to strengthen opportunities for students to engage critically, personally and spiritually with contemporary issues and the Catholic tradition. This work reflects our commitment to delivering a Religious Education program that is both academically rigorous and authentically connected to the lived experiences of our students.

Term 2 has also seen St Ignatius College Geelong participate as a pilot school for the trialling of new Year 10 Religious Education units developed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). As part of this important process, our staff and students are providing feedback to the MACS Curriculum Writing Team regarding the strengths of the program as well as opportunities for further refinement and improvement. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of Religious Education curriculum development within Catholic education.

Looking ahead, MACS will also host a Religious Education Symposium later this term. This two-day conference will bring together a range of highly acclaimed and qualified speakers in the fields of theology, Catholic Identity and Religious Education. The symposium will focus on contemporary approaches to strengthening Catholic Identity and achieving excellence in Religious Education across Catholic schools.

A team from Saint Ignatius College Geelong, led by Mr Michael Exton, will attend the symposium to engage with current research, emerging practices and innovative approaches within Catholic education. We look forward to bringing these insights back to the College community as we continue to enhance our identity and faith formation programs in ways that are contemporary, authentic and grounded in the Ignatian tradition.

At Saint Ignatius College Geelong, Religious Education continues to play a vital role in forming young people who are intellectually curious, spiritually aware and committed to living for others. We thank the staff, students and guest presenters who have contributed to what will be another positive and enriching term within the Religious Education Learning Area.