In 2018 I registered as being interested in being a Developer for the new RE Curriculum being developed in the Parramatta Diocese. I was accepted onto the Stage 4 Team. We were extremely blessed to spend 3 days together at the Fairmont Resort in Leura, not only to start the huge task of developing the new curriculum but to also come together as a group to build relationships to support and help one another.
In our very first-morning prayer session, we looked at St Luke’s gospel where Jesus told the disciples to set out into the deep waters. The deep waters or at least being very uncomfortable not knowing how deep we were really into the process became a constant thought and continues with us on our journey currently trialing some new Learning Cycles for stage 4. However, for myself, I have been in these deep waters since I accepted my position at St Luke’s Catholic College. I have been on a steep learning curve into the Inquiry Process since starting with year 7 in 2018 and have seen how students both engage and are challenged in this process.
The process of developing the curriculum has been one of two steps forward, one step back and then hopefully moving forward again. Revisiting different steps and being critical friends has been part of the journey which has been in constant movement for at least a good 12 months so far.
We are currently in trial mode. For me, this means I am currently teaching two learning cycles, one with year 7 and the other with year 8. Year 7 is being taught with an integration with English in which we are looking at the liturgy through the eyes of poetry. In terms of progress here I have found that whilst the students are new to the Inquiry process this is partially slowing us down, however, the gains are seen in the students taking responsibility for their learning and seeing the deeper understanding and questions which come from this. Initially, students were mostly focussed on the poetic side of things. However, through linking to previous experiences held at the College students were challenged to find meaning within the liturgies held. Workshops in scripture, Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, Biblical Poetry have all taken place. Our next steps deal with looking at the order of the Mass and the use of imagery found within it and also having Deacon Tony come in and talk about the Eucharist, about Christ’s presence and how other things are able to enhance the Eucharistic celebration.
Year 8 are more familiar with the Inquiry process and are progressing quite well. Year 8 are looking at how Jesus was a rebel in his time and are required to find a real need in a real community and actually get in and give a helping hand. We have already jumped into the scriptures and have identified how Jesus challenged others and why and looking through the eyes of the senses of scripture have gained a deeper understanding of the laws of the Jewish in Jesus’ time. We have had Claire Thomas from Jesuit Social Services into visit and talk to the students and tell them stories of real children in the communities she works with. Our next steps are to develop pitches/ideas for helping these communities.
I find the hardest thing currently is keeping up with everything!! Students directing the learning, developing resources that are differentiated and relevant to all students and writing programs whilst actually trialing learning cycles. It is important that the students do direct the learning, therefore this is looked at regularly with the students.
Of course I am still finding my way in the uncomfortable deep waters, I do sometimes feel as though I am drowning but I hope to come out the other side feeling like I have, and my students have delved deeply into the Catholic Faith and have learned a great deal which they have directed within the Inquiry Process that we use at St Luke’s.
I look forward to becoming more familiar with more learning cycles. It certainly would be easy to go back to Sharing our Story but where would we find our deep water within it? I am so uncomfortable with where I am at that I am now used to this feeling and am constantly looking for further challenge.
Bring it on!!