Stage 1 Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning

Subject Description

Australia is a land of many spiritualities and religions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spiritualities are at least 65,000 years old, forming part of the oldest continuous cultures on the planet. Since Australia was colonised in the late 18th century, spiritualities and religions have arrived with many different groups of migrants, making this country one of the most multicultural and religiously diverse in the world.

In this subject, teachers and students use one or more ‘big ideas’ to frame inquiry questions; to explore key issues and concepts; and to reflect on personal and shared meaning within one or more spiritualities and/or religions. 

Students engage in reflective analysis in response to images, artefacts, texts, documentaries, or feature films to explore how spiritualities and/or religions represent a particular big idea. They collaborate with others to develop, apply, and reflect on spiritual and/or religious principles that underpin social justice actions within the school or broader community. They use inquiry and communication skills to present informed opinions on contemporary issues.

The Made In The Image of God (MITIOG): Human Sexuality and Respectful Relationships Curriculum is a component of this course that allows students to explore the dignity of the human person, honouring the individual’s worth and their right to experience respectful and healthy relationships.

Student learning in Religious Education interacts appropriately and regularly with the complementary aspects of the religious life of the school, including personal and communal prayer, liturgy, social outreach, and youth ministry.