Suggested approach:

The information in Section One of the Black Book(Edition 2/2020) (p 10-17) and Section Two of the Black Book(Edition 2/2020) (p 22-51) is contained within various documents under the “Unpacking RE Curriculum” tab on the RE Curriculum Google Site.  In order to connect the link between the hard copy book and the Google site it would be very advantageous to read Section One and Section Two of the Black Book (Edition 2/2020).  Seeing the information in its sequential entirety makes it easier to connect the information on the Google site.

When presenting the information to teachers, the PPT - Unpacking the RE curriculum sums up the info in Section One and Section Two of the Black Book (Edition 2/2020). Reading these sections will help to supplement the information on the slides.

The PPT entitled “Short Cycle Planning” has very relevant information about assessment in Religious Education as well as explaining cognitive verbs in relation to Religious Education.

Both PPTs are included in the drop down  “Unpacking RE Curriculum” and will be instrumental when presenting the revised RE Curriculum to staff.

Engaging with Section One and Section Two will give APREs a good knowledge of the background of the curriculum and the ‘why’ that then clarifies the ‘how’.  The information on Powerful Pedagogies (p 26-28) gives relevance and credence to thoughts on learners and their innate capacities to learn.

Section Three of the Black Book (Edition 2/2020) contains information on the Religious Life of the School P-12 (RLoS).   This section includes four strands and deals with the background and relevance of each aspect in a Catholic school.

• Religious Identity & Culture (p 207-211)

• Evangelisation & Faith Formation (p 212-215)

• Prayer & Worship (p 215-218)

• Social Action & Justice (p 218-222)

Also included in Section Three are the Elaborations – p 223-234 (the how to ) on the Religious Life of the School.  These elaborations  can be very helpful as an aid to critique current practice and to further enhance the spiritual and faith development of students.  As stated in the Black Book (Edition 2/2020), “Schools should ensure a range and balance of elaborations from across all four components are represented in the Religious Education curriculum.” (p 222) A very useful tool.

These elaborations have been further categorised on the RE Curriculum Google site into categories that reflect the responsibility of implementation between the classroom teacher, administration and leadership and those at the governance level. These are located under the RLoS tab as well as buttons on the RLoS 1st dropdown page.

Not all information from these sections has been replicated on the Google site.  Taking time to read through these sections will give you as APRE further insight to the revised RE curriculum. It will be a great help in assimilating information to relate to staff about the curriculum as well as the teaching of religion in a Catholic school.

We encourage all staff to engage with the RE Curriculum through the CEDR Google site as the content and pedagogical approach reflect the context for the Diocese of Rockhampton.