The RE Department helped to formulate the school’s mission statement:
"St.Patrick’s High School & Arts College creates an environment in which young people are encouraged to grow in faith and moral responsibility".
The RE Department not only strives for the best academic standards for their subject, but we also plan, manage and organize the Spiritual life of the school. Our nine year Partnership with Just Youth- the Spiritan order have enriched the faith lives of St.Patrick’s pupils – past and present with the Retreat days and other key spiritual events. The Department has its own Liturgy Group which co-ordinates First Friday Masses, Advent Liturgies and Holy Day Masses. In addition the School Feast Day is celebrated with 3 simultaneous masses in 3 different venues.
The Liturgy Group meets every Wednesday in Miss Hart’s Room- M20. New members are welcome!!
Why is the world as it is? What is the point of loyalty? Friendship? Sin? Suffering? What really matters for humanity? What may we hope? What will give us courage for life, and what for death?
An eight level scale for spiritual development might have Cruella Da Ville and the Kray Twins at Level 1, working up through Bart Simpson (2), Hermione Granger (aiming for a 6). Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela (exceptional performance)… only joking! What is more realistic is to be aware of your RE teacher’s approach and your own Spiritual insight. Ask your RE teacher for the Questionnaire entitled: Spiritual? Me?
As a core compulsory subject our exam results matter. Assessment in RE in both key stages involves tracking of progress, self assessment and various methods of Peer Assessment. We also use comment decoders to feed back to pupils. For GCSE pupils there are a variety of self assessment methods for both Paper J- Catholic Christianity and Paper C- Religion and Life based on a study of Catholic Christianity
All St.Pat’s pupils have an entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. The RE staff at St.Pat’s select experiences and opportunities that meet the specific learning needs of individuals and groups of pupils. We plan for a range of different learning styles and build self esteem.
RE is the treasure chest by which human understandings of wisdom and reality are passed from one generation to the next.