Learning & Teaching

The school curriculum is underpinned by the Awakenings Religious Education Document and the Victorian Curriculum

Our core curriculum of Religious Education, Literacy, Numeracy and the Victorian Curriculum are specifically delivered in Units (Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3/4  and Year 5/6). The Victorian Curriculum is the curriculum designed for all Victorian schools encompassing subject areas such as Civics & Citizenship, the Arts, Languages, Science, Humanities, Communication, Design, Creativity & Technology, Health & Physical Education, and Information & Communication Technology.

St. Paul's utilizes the 'Inquisitive' approach to effectively deliver essential learning components of the Victorian Curriculum. This innovative method encompasses science, history, geography, civics, citizenship, economics, business, cross-curriculum priorities, and general capabilities. In each 'Inquisitive' lesson, research-based methodologies are employed, incorporating explicit teaching, work examples, and empowering strategies. Moreover, the 'Inquisitive' approach is closely aligned with our Structured Literacy approach, further enriching the educational experience for our students.

Religious Education

All teaching staff are required to plan and teach Religious Education lessons from the Awakenings website https://awakenings.ceob.edu.au. The content of the Awakenings Curriculum Framework reflects the major topics of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Directory for Catechesis, and the Religious Education frameworks across Australia. These strands are overlapping and interwoven in describing the key knowledge, understandings and practices of the Catholic tradition and history. Teachers follow a 2-year planning cycle when developing units of work. 

Resources and Support

All classes have a copy of the NRSV Catholic Youth Bible on their prayer table. This is the only Bible that teachers should use to refer to scripture. 

Staff regularly participate in the best practice of Catholic Education by:

: Demonstrating the Gospel values of the Catholic faith. 

: Undertaking professional learning that relates to prayer/ liturgy, scripture, catholic social teaching, theology, or religious education.

: Supporting the sacramental program. 

: Engaging in classroom and staff prayer, liturgy and Mass.

Prayer

Prayer is a gift from God who loves us and speaks with us.  It is an encounter with the mystery of God and each person is invited into a relationship with God through this encounter.  It is through prayer, that a person is able to recognise God as the source of life and love, whether praying privately or with the school community. All classes regularly engage in prayer with a sacred space that is used to display symbolic elements of the Catholic faith. For example, a Bible, candle and cross. Prayer cloths are displayed and changed according to the Liturgical season. 

Our school prayers

St Paul’s School has a school prayer that staff and students can familiarise themselves with during prayer time. 

Beginning of Day Prayer

Good morning Heavenly Father

As we come to school today

We put our hands together, and this is what we say.

Thank you, Father, for a good night sleep.

Thank you, Father, for the food we eat and

Thank you, Father, for the friends we meet.

We love you Heavenly Father

Today Lord, help us to listen to each other

Share with one another.

And to work and play as friends.

Amen

Lunch Prayer

For the food we are about to eat

We thank you Father.

For the people who prepared our food

We thank you Father.

Help me not to waste my food.

Amen

End of Day Prayer

School today has ended Father, as we turn our heads for home.

Before we go, we want to pray

To remember we are not alone.

You are with us on our journey.

You help us to work and play.

For the times we have done this well we say ‘Thank You’

For the time we have made mistakes, we are sorry to each other.

And will try to make tomorrow a better, bright, brand-new day.

Amen

Unit Masses

Each Unit organises a Liturgy/Mass each term. Parents and friends are invited and welcome to attend the unit masses.

Sacramental Program

Saints Anne & Joachim Catholic Parish organise the Sacramental programs. These include Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. St Paul’s staff support these celebrations in many ways from planning and coordinating to attendance.

Accreditation

Leaders and teachers in Catholic schools play an essential part in seeking to ensure that students experience a quality education and are invited to encounter God and develop their knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic faith and tradition.

The accreditation process aims to support leaders and teachers entering and continuing service in Catholic education to develop the knowledge and skills that will support authentic witness in and across all Victorian Catholic schools.

Our teachers are required to gain and maintain Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School.

Our teachers of Religious Education and leaders are required to gain and maintain Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or Lead in a Catholic School.