SPECIAL CHARACTER OF ST THERESA'S SCHOOL

 

RATIONALE

St Theresa's is a Roman Catholic School. Its whole School Community, through the general school programme will be exposed to religious instruction and observances. The School has the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ as they are expressed in the Scriptures; and in the practices, worship and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

The whole school community includes the pupils, parents and teachers and all others who have connection with the school.

 

PURPOSES

1. To bring together all facets of school life in the light of the Gospels.

 

2. To nurture and encourage a Christian way of life in all pupils.

 

3. To provide opportunities for the pupils to learn about the beliefs, and take part in the practices and observances of the Catholic Church.

 

GUIDELINES

Pupils, through their classroom opportunities and experiences will be:

• Provided a systematic and structured course in religious education.

 

• Involved in organising arrangements for regular Masses and other appropriate liturgies for the whole school and groups within the school.

 

• Provided regular access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

• Provided opportunities to take part in daily prayers.

 

Parents will be:

• Kept informed of the Religious Instruction programme.

 

• Invited to participate in class and school Masses and liturgies.

 

• Kept informed of children's progress through interviews twice a year and comments on reports.

The Wider Community will be involved in:

• Planning with the Parish Priest so that school and class Masses and classroom visits occur on a regular basis.

 

• Liaising with the Parish Liturgy and Education Groups in the Reconciliation and Eucharist programmes.

 

• Maintaining a close relationship with the St Theresa's Parish through involvement in school Masses and liturgies and through communications in the Parish Newsletter.

Staff will be:

• Involved in weekly meetings of prayers and reflection, aimed at building staff morale

 

• Supported when they have not previously taught religious education; through discussions, instructions, demonstrations and co–operative planning and evaluation with their peers as appropriate.

 

• Provided staff training for religious education teachers through in–school meetings, school visits and training sessions taken by the Catholic Integrated Schools Board advisers. This aims to ensure all teachers are up–to–date with current developments and methods of teaching and planning.

 

• The Director of Religious Studies will be provided regular training through attendance at the Religious Education Centre courses.