Growth in holiness is a journey in community, side by side with others … Living or working alongside others is surely a path of spiritual growth". (Pope Francis, On the Call to Holiness in Today's World, 141
Saint Mary's Catholic College is dedicated to empowering learners who are confident, creative, successful, active, and informed. These learners enrich their own lives and the lives of their community. Our goal is to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities necessary for thriving in a globalised, technological society while living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our approach to learning and teaching is deeply rooted in Christian values, reflected in both the classroom and the religious life of the school. The Religious Education Curriculum is designed to set high expectations, maximising and advancing students' learning from Prep through to Year 12. We emphasise the alignment of learning, teaching, and assessment, ensuring that high-quality education is visible and effective across the College. Our vision for learning encourages inquiry, creativity, and reflection, fostering persistent, interactive, and hope-filled learners.
The vision for Religious Education highlights the complementary nature of its two dimensions and outlines the College's aspirations for students' religious literacy and faith formation. This vision starts with 'the end in mind,' aiming to produce students who are challenged to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who are literate in the Catholic and broader Christian tradition. These students are prepared to participate critically and authentically in faith contexts and society.
The distinct and complementary nature of both dimensions of Religious Education is captured in our Model for Religious Education. In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, teaching religion and teaching people to be religious are informed by the Christian tradition, considering local contexts and the ecumenical and multi-faith realities of contemporary culture.
Effective learning and teaching in Religious Education are guided by the BCE Model of Pedagogy, which places students at the centre of learning. This model integrates principles and practices that lead to success for all learners, arising from the beliefs and values of the Brisbane Catholic Education Learning and Teaching Framework. It is an evidence-based approach that ensures all students progress in their learning and development.
Religious Education aims to develop students' religious literacy in light of the Christian tradition, enabling them to participate critically and authentically in contemporary culture. As students become religiously literate, they gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to confidently interpret and use language in faith contexts and the wider society.