Religious Education

Introduction

Religious Education forms part of the core curriculum in Thornhill College.

All aspects of school life are underpinned by the teaching of Christ and the RE programme of study reflects this.

Faith Development

The academic and catechistical programme of Religious Education in Thornhill College incorporates many opportunities for students to develop their spiritual and moral selves. Faith Development involves supporting students in the process of recognising, articulating and reflecting on the experience of God in their lives. There are numerous opportunities for such Faith Development.

Celebrating the Easter Liturgy

Liturgy

The promotion of collaborative liturgy which reflects the Church calendar and includes the whole school community is a primary focus in supporting faith development within Thornhill College.  

There is much evidence of Faith development and Liturgical events throughout the school. Annual celebrations include, end of Year Masses (Yr 12/14), Ash Wednesday Services, Lenten reflections and Masses, Easter Liturgies, Staff Prayer Services, start of term School Masses, Year 8 Service of Light, November remembrance services, a whole school penitential service, Advent masses and Christmas Liturgies .

Each Year in October, our Year 14 Liturgy Prefects attended a Retreat in Linsfort Co Donegal. This experience provides a most welcome opportunity for the girls to focus on their Faith Development in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the Loreto Prayer House in Linsfort.

Many people from all areas of school life contribute to such celebrations at different times throughout the year. Particular support is given to the school community by our School Chaplain, Fr Gerard Mongan.

The Oratory

Bishop Hegarty has kindly given permission for the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the school Oratory. This is a most important and respected aspect of the school’s Catholic Ethos. The Blessed Sacrament is visited daily by many students and staff members who welcome the daily opportunity for peaceful reflection and tranquil meditation in the school Oratory.

                         The School Oratory

Religious Education at KS3

Key Stage 3 students follow the Fully Alive revised resource especially commissioned to suit the needs of the Revised Curriculum and in tandem with Diosecan guidelines. This resource is supplemented by the RE Department with units of work deemed appropriate to our school ethos and the revised curriculum.  To this end students of Key Stage 3 study the following modules:

• The life of Catherine McAuley and the Mercy tradition of the school;

• A specially designed RSE programme of study (Relationship and Sexuality Education);

• A unit on Sikhism as an introduction to World Religions.;

• Year 9 also visit two Christian Churches as part of their unit of work on Christian Denominations. This year students visited the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle Road and the neighbouring Methodist Church.

The Mercy Cross

GCSE Religious Studies

All students at Key Stage 4 take the AQA Syllabus A GCSE course in Religious Studies. Units of study include:

• Unit 4: Roman Catholic Ethic

• Unit 5:  St Marks Gospel

This Specification is accessible to candidates of any religious persuasion or none.

The AQA Religious Studies Specification encourages candidates to:

• develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for,a study of religion and its relation to the wider world;

• develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring the significance, impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning;

• express their personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments.

Each unit accounts for 50% of the total Full Course marks.

Assessment is by modular examination:
Candidates take 2 Written papers – 1 hr 30 minutes each

Religion plays an important role in our society and can influence what people think, feel, and believe. Through studying Religious Studies, students get a broad look at how religion and spirituality form the basis of our culture.
Religious Studies also helps students develop marketable skills and aptitudes including:

• analytical and strategic thinking;
• research skills;
• critical evaluation;
• the ability to work with abstract, conceptual ideas;
• an ability to 'understand both sides' and negotiate and resolve conflict;
• problem-solving skills;
• leadership skills;
• understanding of the impact of conflicting ideologies; and
• an appreciation of human diversity, belief systems, cultural and spiritual experiences.

These skills are particularly useful for future careers in law, education, social work, politics, medicine, administration or the media.
Course Content:
 

At Thornhill College we study CCEA 4612 AS/A2 Religious Studies.
The units of study are:

• AS1 The Gospel of Luke (50% Examination January Series);
• AS6 Ethics: Foundations and Principles (50% Examination June Series)

There is no coursework component and as of September 2008, students commence the revised specification which takes this in to account.

Students will sit their AS1 Luke module in January 2010

This course appeals to students who:

• enjoy stimulating and lively discussion;
• enjoy finding out answers, not just being told them;
• want to develop an enquiring mind; and/or
• want to research and develop independent learning.
   

Thornhill College Religious Education Department