Religious Education

“Growth in religious understanding and faith occurs throughout life. The Catholic school, through its defining culture, its curriculum and its classroom-based religious education programs, plays an important formative role in support of families in the religious education of those to whom it ministers.” (p. 4 Diocese of Sale Religious Education Curriculum)

Religious Education is the heart of the curriculum at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Primary School. The school uses the Sale Diocesan Religious Education curriculum “To Live in Christ Jesus.” Students are educated, engaged and challenged with learning opportunities to inquire about the Triune God, the Life and Mission of Jesus, the Sacramental Church, Christian Life and Catholic Social Teaching. These strands of the curriculum are explored through scripture, Church tradition, Christian prayer and liturgy and religion and society.

At our school, we provide regular opportunities for students to celebrate communal prayer of the Church.

All classes participate in celebrating the Eucharist (Mass) and students who have received their first Reconciliation are given opportunities to receive this Sacrament throughout the year. The school community gathers to celebrate the Eucharist on certain feast days within the different seasons of the Church, as well as other significant events in the life of the school community.

Prayer occurs at the beginning of each school day and at different times during the week with the purpose of building and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sacrament Program

St Thomas the Apostle Parish has a Family-centred, Parish-based, School Catechist supported approach for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

The candidates for Reconciliation must be baptised Catholics and at least 7 years old. To enrol in the First Holy Communion preparation program, the children must have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The final Sacrament in the Family-Parish-School Catechist based program is Confirmation.

Details of these programs are advertised in the Parish and School newsletters. Enquiries can be made to the Sacramental Program Co-Coordinator at the Parish Office; telephone: 5998 0947.