RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Education at Avila nurtures faith and provides knowledge. At each year level, students address the topics of Scripture, Jesus, the history of the Church, the importance of community, Liturgy, Sacraments, Morality and Justice. Students are challenged to reflect on and explore their Christianity, both philosophically and actively, through the classroom program, Christian Living Days and camps, and community outreach programs.
Year 7: Religious Education in Year 7 welcomes the students to the Avila community and introduces them to the Christian lives of the women from which our school vision expands.
Year 8: The focus in Year 8 takes a broader look at the concept of community, focussing on the school community and expanding to the wider community of the Church, using Jesus as our role model.
Year 9: At this level, students are introduced to various themes in Religious Education, ranging from exploration into various forms of prayers to making choices in life. Year 9 students are introduced to a range of relevant and important issues pertaining to adolescence.
Year 10: With a major focus on community service, the Year 10 course focuses on justice and serving others, making moral decisions and acting according to our Christian values. A week of Community Service is an important part of the program.
VCE: Religious Education is compulsory at years 11 and 12.
Year 11: At Year 11, all students must complete a semester-length unit of Religion and Society. Most students undertake Unit 1 - Religion and Society which explores the religious identity of persons and groups and how the complexity of the relationship between religious traditions and society can be understood. Some students choose to take up Units 3 & 4 in Year 11, but these units may also be under taken in Year 12.
Year 12: Unit 2 is offered at Year 12 only. At Year 12, the majority of students undertake the Ethics unit (Unit 2 - Religion and Society) which identifies the ways we, as Christians, respond to contemporary ethical issues. However, some students elect to undertake Unit 3 & 4 - Religion and Society (The Search for Meaning and Challenge and Response) which allows them to delve further into their faith and explore the central beliefs within the Christian traditions, particularly the Catholic tradition.
Religious Education plays a vital role in the life of the Avila Community and because of this each year level has at least one special day which is referred to as a Christian Living Day. This is an opportunity for students in a particular year level to work together, to reflect and to implement their faith. Some of the themes used include Family, Serving Others, Aboriginal Spirituality and A Search for Meaning.
