Go out into the Deep!

Most Rev. Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv DD, Bishop of Parramatta invites us to go out into the deep. It is wonderful to know that there are changes taking place in Religious Education in the Diocese of Parramatta.

What is unique about the new RE curriculum?

Student voices are the starting point of the new curriculum. There is an effort to bring RE to life for our students. In the traditional set-up, curriculum progresses from the writers/developers to students. In this new initiative, the ‘Big’ questions from students are taken to curriculum developers thus enabling educators to listen to the signs of the time. This collaborative process appeals more to the heart than the head.

The new RE curriculum calls for a different perspective. It is centred around the 21st century ‘Inquiry’ approach. Students are allowed to understand, immerse and create through constant reflection. The ‘immerse’ stage creates an opportunity for them to go out into the deep.

Jesus said to Simon, “Go out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” The deep is where we will find a lot of fish. We will not find them near the shore in shallow waters. To launch out into the deep is to move away from the comfort of the shoreline. It is not easy when we are challenged to do things in a new way but we are called to do it!

When Jesus said, “…let down your nets for a catch.”, he is reminding us to carry the right tools with us. As educators, it is imperative for us to equip our students with proper resources so that they can collect exceedingly abundant and meaningful experiences in their spiritual journey.

We and our students will be amazed at our catch (of experiences) if we step out of our comfort zones and launch out into the deep with Jesus.

While talking about the new RE curriculum, Michael McDowell, author of Rigourous PBL by Design asks us to look through the lens of our students. He emphasises the need for high level of communication and reminds us about the layers of complexities. Students can immerse in the process only when they see relevance in their lives.

What is the dream for purposeful RE in our Diocese?

We need to help students to know Christ, get inspired and follow his footsteps. They need to learn to look for Christ in the true messiness of our daily life by listening to the signs of the time. The RE journey should lead students from ‘curiosity’ to ‘clarity’ through christ-centred, contemporary, reflective, experiential, contextualised and personalised curriculum initiatives.

As co-creators, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a curriculum that will speak to a generation of students. Religious Education is the lifeblood of catholic schools and it is great to know that it will be leading other KLAs through the new ‘Inquiry’ approach. 

Let us together go out into the deep!