Mr Danny Dunn Head of Learning Area - Religious Education Email Mr Dunn

The Learning Area of Religious Education

The Religious Education program at Mercy College aims to help students learn the teachings of the Gospel as proclaimed by the Catholic Church and to develop a sense of the nature of Christianity and of how Christians are trying to live their lives.

Faith development is an integral part of both the RE Curriculum as well as the liturgical celebrations the classes participate in. Each year, the Year Seven team prepares students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Apart from the RE Curriculum, (which includes a study on World religions), the Year Eight team involve the students in a live and Interactive Internet Webcast where Archbishop Hickey officially launches his Lifelink Day initiative.

In Year Nine, Friday masses are a way of encouraging students to feel a part of our Mercy community and strengthen our links with Our Lady of Mercy Parish. In Religious Education the students have been involved in preparing to celebrate many solemnities and feasts with a focus on Mary and the rosary.

Bringing Social Justice to life whilst studying the Curriculum is the hub of the Year Ten RE Program. Guest speakers from organizations such as Caritas are invited to address the students in order to raise awareness of the inequalities in our world.

In Year Eleven the study on Beliefs and Values focuses on people of different faiths as well as study on our own Catholic tradition. The students have guest speakers such as Br Steve Bowman from the Edmund Rice Centre speak on the Islamic faith and Rabbi Freilich from the Perth Hebrew Congregation visit and talk about their religions and how they differ from Catholicism.

One of the highlights for our Year Twelve students is their retreat. A team of highly skilled staff are involved in four days and three nights of activities and faith sharing. We know the students remember the bonds they make and always look back on their retreat days with fond memories.

Across all the Learning Centres, students are continually challenged in their Religious Education classes and kept motivated by various activities, retreats and days of reflection. Students not only focus on the learning through text books but are inspired to help others around them and gain from life experiences. Through close association with the College Chaplain and Liturgical Assistants students are encouraged to be aware of those in their community, pray for them at their masses but to also lend a helping hand.