Mission statement
The Religion department embrace and value every student as a unique child of God, enabling them to think spiritually, ethically and theologically to meet the demands of everyday life. By the quality of our work and relationships, we strive to inspire, nurture and develop in each individual student a deep understanding of their self-worth and endless potential.
Religious Studies Teachers
- Mrs Emma Higgins (HOD)
- Mrs Ciara Hoey
- Miss Alanah McGlinchey
- Mrs Yvonne McGreevy
- Mrs Martina Keenan (Year Head)
- Mrs Maria Gallery
- Ms Eilish Camplisson (Retreat co-ordinator)
Extra-Curricular
The Religious Studies Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:
- Pope John Paul II Award
- Mini Marillac’s
- Anam chara (new for 2018-2019)
- Social Justice Committee (new for 2018-2019)
- Whole School Masses, Year group masses, Class masses
- Tuesday morning masses in the oratory
- Vincentian programme in Year 13 and 14 with many volunteering opportunities
- Carol Service and Passion service
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Charitable and fundraising activities
Retreats
Each Year, Year 10 and 11 students attend Clonard Monastery for a day retreat with their classes. The students enjoy this experience as it allows them to connect with their class, take time out and reflect on their relationship with God and others.
KS3 Curriculum
At KS3 we follow the revised Core Curriculum for Religious Education, covering the four Core Objectives of:
- Revelation of God
- The Christian Church
- Morality
- World Religions
Taking into account the different learning styles of our pupils, a variety of methodologies and forms of assessment are adopted in our classrooms. Opportunities are also provided for pupils to improve their thinking skills and develop their personal capabilities. Students are provided with many opportunities to develop their moral reasoning, prayer life and relationship with God.
KS4 Curriculum
At Key Stage 4, the Religious Studies Department offers Religious Studies at GCSE Level. Students study two units:
Unit 5: Christianity Through a Study of Mark’s Gospel (50%)
This unit aims to gives pupils the opportunity to study key events in the life of Jesus and key themes found in St. Mark’s Gospel. In this unit pupils are required to consider the significance of these stories for Jesus, his disciples and for modern Christians. This unit is externally assessed in the form of a written examination lasting 1 hour 30 minutes at the end of Year 11.
Unit 6: An Introduction to Christian Ethics (50%)
This unit aims to introduce students to ethics within the study of religion. Students explore personal and family issues, matters of life and death, developments in bioethics, contemporary issues in Christianity and modern warfare. In this unit, pupils are required to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion, exploring the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices and ways of life and express their personal responses and informed insights This unit is externally assessed in the form of a written examination lasting 1 hour 30 minutes at the end of Year 12.
Religious Studies OCN
Students can choose to study Religious Studies with Open College Network Northern Ireland. Students complete nine topics which are externally moderated and assessed. Once completed students receive a Level 2 (B equivalent). There is no exam requirement. Students complete the following units:
- Matters of life and Death
- Prejudice and Reconciliation
- Exploring Religious Traditions
- World Faith
- Life of a Famous Person of Faith
- Exploring Personal Identity
- Charity and Religious Charity
- Addiction
- Marriage and Divorce
Personal Success and Wellbeing OCN
Following from the successful completion of Religious Studies, students complete OCN course Personal Success and Wellbeing which is also a Level 2 course. The units studies are:
- Body image
- Understanding Healthy Lifestyles
- Cyberbullying
- Communication Skills
- Teamwork
- Stress Management techniques
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Understanding and Dealing with Bullying
- Drugs and Substance Misuse
KS5 Curriculum
Students study two units at AS and two at A2:
AS Unit 1: Luke’s Gospel
AS Unit 7: Medical Ethics
A2 Unit 1:Synoptic Gospels
A2 Unit 7: Global Ethics
Vincentian Programme
All post 16 students study Religion weekly through the Vincentian programme. The Vincentian programme is an opportunity for students to focus on their moral, spiritual and ethical development. Students follow a classroom programme, engage with guest speakers and take part in community and charity projects.
Careers Information
Religious Studies helps many pupils secure places in third level education or other alternative work pathways. The skills developed at various Key Stages in Religious Studies have proven to be very beneficial in helping students to make the transition to academic study at university level.
Through a study of Religion, students develop critical thinking, analytical and interpretive skills. Students develop empathy, understanding and tolerance through a reflection on their own personal and the beliefs of others. The content of the Ethics units at GCSE and A-Level gives a meaningful moral and ethical backdrop to key areas such as Medicine, Journalism or Law.
Students who have studied Religious Studies to A-Level have pursued university courses and careers in areas such as:
- Law
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Priesthood
- Biomedical Science
- Computing with Education
- Psychology
- Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
- Business Management
- Nursing
- Social Work
