Religious Education Coordinator

Mr Colm McCaughan

Term 3 is always the busiest term in the RE curriculum department, with the two juggernaut exam blocks of the Trial HSC and the Year 11 Preliminaries dominating the scene and often swamping the team with essays! Studies of Religion is a content heavy course requiring boys to not only recall different beliefs and practices of different faith traditions, but also to analyse how these religions still impact the daily lives of adherents. The boys performed admirably but will be hoping for further improvement in the HSC exams.

That being said, we had some wonderful moments of evangelisation this term. We saw twelve boys receive Sacraments this term, with Christian H of Year 12 being baptised on Saturday 13 September at St Kevin’s, whilst Kevin R (9), Darren C (10) and Eric C (11) were baptised on 25 September at St Charles, Ryde by Bishop Danny Meagher. Thomas and Samuel L (10), William O (10), Tyler S (7), Marlon B (8), Daniel J (11) and Nathaniel F (11) also received Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation at this combined Mass with Holy Cross. As an REC, it is being able to witness events like these that truly encapsulate what my role is all about.

We hosted two Reflection Days this Term. Year 9 in Week 3 hosted David Kobler from ‘Your Choicez’, which specialises in teaching teenagers about respectful relationships and what true masculinity in the sight of God looks like. The boys engaged wonderfully in this topic and entered into some thought provoking discussion.

Year 12’s Reflection Day on 19 August theme was ‘A Future Full of Hope.’ The boys were asked to reminisce about their time at the College and how far they have come. They were encouraged to always turn to their faith and recognise it as a source of hope that they can use to be true Marist Men (Good Christians and Good Citizens) in the community. 

This was an excellent preparation for their Graduation Mass and Ceremony on 23 September, where they were sent out into the world, armed with the outstanding education they have received here, but also with a quiet, determined faith that will always bring hope to them and others. For me the most moving part of this Mass is the Candle Ceremony, presented to each of them by captain Rocco B. It is a reminder of the ongoing bonds of friendship and community that have been formed at the school and how they are to bring the light of Christ into the world.

It was also a big term for Ms Grace Mathews, our YMC, who led the charge in bringing forty Year 10 students to the 10:10 Conference at Good Samaritan, Hinchinbrook, where boys were able to engage in discussions surrounding right relationship with God and others. Our boys had a very informative and life shaping experience.

In summary, it’s been an exhausting but very rewarding term. May God continue to bless our efforts.