Nuku October 2017
Kia Ora Principals, Directors of Religious Studies and Heads of Religious Education
Welcome back to term four. I hope you are in health after a restful, wind-swept, spring break.
As I write I am contemplating the question, “Why am I given this day”?
It is interesting to reflect on this given an acknowledgment during the holidays of
World Homelessness Day. The concept of ‘World Homelessness Day’
emerged from online discussions between people working to
respond to this issue in various parts of the world. It had its genesis in 2010
and aims to draw attention to the needs of homeless people in our community of
Tāmaki makaurau and beyond. As educators, I know many of your schools
are making a difference in this issue by educating your communities about
homeless concerns, supporting and celebrating good works and highlights local
issues. The Gospel imperative urges us to continue to do this and deepen our
engagement with this issue in our place.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PD for term 4 (PD Calendar attached)
Liturgical Music PD
If you read this before Sunday October 15th you will realise that David Hass, American Catholic liturgical composer is visiting Auckland. I’m not a gambling Catholic, but chances are you may be singing some of his songs in your parishes or schools. I know some of you have already enrolled - well done. Venue -Christ the King Parish, Owairaka 1-4pm, 5-7pm. Koha entry
RE Regional Community meetings will continue in November. Their focus will be on 1) Juniors & Advent 2) reviewing RE programmes for 2018. They are for all RE teachers. RSVP to the contact person below in the host school. The dates and locations are:
Nov / 15 / Wed / RE Learning Community meeting WestRSVP Stateira D'Souza () / Marist College / 4-5.15pm
Nov / 16 / Thur / RE Learning Community meeting Central
RSVP Dan Stollenwerk () / St Peter’s College / 4-5.15pm
Nov / 22 / Thur / TBA / 4-5.15pm
Nov / 23 / Thur / RE Learning Community meeting Shore
RSVP Steve Mills () / Rosmini College / 4-5.15pm
RSTAANZ, the Association representing teachers of Religious Studies is holding a meet and greet afternoon for members. It will be held at St Cuthbert’s College, Tuesday November 7th 4.30-5.30pm. Come and meet teachers of Religious Studies from schools broader than Catholic eg Presbyterian, Islamic, State, Anglican.
Diversity Centre, Otago House, Queen St.
Augment the religious literacy of your RE teachers by participating in this term four course. This is helpful for those teaching World Religions in Yr 12 or Analysing Religion in Aotearoa NZ in Yr 13. Also good for any Jesus unit eg 7-11, as we know that Jesus was Jewish not Catholic and his family name wasn’t Christ! Details below.
Note: Class meets on Monday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm for 8 weeks during the school terms. Try the first one as a taster for free. www.rdc.org.nz/courses
TERM 4: Western Religious Traditions
1 Mon 23 October 2017 Course Introduction
Ancient Mesopotamian Civilisation and the Rise of Monotheism
2 Mon 30 October 2017 Zoroastrianism
3 Mon 6 November 2017 Judaism
4 Mon 13 November 2017 Christianity
5 Mon 20 November 2017 Islam
6 Mon 27 November 2017 Other -isms: Manichaeism, Mandaeism, Bahá’í Faith
7 Mon 4 December 2017 Ethical Ideologies: Atheism, Agnosticism, Rationalism and Humanism
8 Mon 11 December 2017 Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism and Terrorism
2018 Dates for your diary
Teachers New to Catholic Schools Secondary:
W Wed 24th of January 2018 St Columba Centre 9-3pm (flyer to follow)
W Thursday 8th March 2018
Catholic Education Convention Wellington June 13-15th
TCI UPCOMING TCI COURSES January 2018
Do you have RE teachers with little background or qualifications? Or RE teachers who need support in the classroom? Work towards a Diploma in RE where the papers are teacher friendly and contextual for the NZ curriculum.
The RE papers offered TERM 1, 2018 are:
RE 502 ‘Spirituality for Teachers’….Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th January plus 6 hours online component. Held at St Columba Centre, Ponsonby; 9-4pm
This course will provide an opportunity for participants to explore the meaning of spirituality and ways of nourishing it in their own lives. It will also provide participants with practical suggestions for appropriate prayer with individuals SCHOOL context.
RE 501 ‘Religious Education Today’----Thursday 25th & Friday 26th January plus 6 hours online component. Held at St Columba Centre, Ponsonby; 9-4pm
This course will introduce participants to the philosophy of the Catholic school, the role of the teacher, the principles, general aims, contexts, teaching approaches, assessment and language of Religious Education by examining the Religious Education Curriculum Statements for Catholic primary and secondary schools.
To conclude, “Why am I given this day”?
Perhaps is deepen appreciation of that which I take for granted. Thinking about the homeless and their place of sleep, I am given this day to bless the little things. I finish with a blessing from Br David Steindl-Rast
“Source of All Blessings, you bless us with beds,
Where we were conceived, where we are born, and where we die.
What a blessing to die in a bed, rather than in a car crash or bomb shelter.
May I never forget those who sleep in the street;
May I delight in even in a monastic cot, where it is warm enough,
Where I can dream and daydream and spin out some of my most creative thoughts”.
Do take care all and blessings on your prizegivings, farewells and end of year liturgies.
Ngā mihi nui,
Philomena Clare
Secondary Religious Education Advisor
Catholic Diocese of Auckland
Mobile:021 - 0789109
Web: www.catholicschools.org.nz