Faith Development/ReligiousEducation

I complete five years ofservice, in Faith Development, at the end of this year. 1 here have been many changes and developments in this aspect of College life.

Faith Development within our College, or any Catholic College, gives meaning and explanation to our very existence. With this in mind I have sought, in this role, to provide this for all staffand students. This has been accomplished in many ways. Through regular celebration of the Eucharist, Retreats and Reflection Days at all year levels. Development ofthe Society of St Vincent de Paul at Year 9, the Social Justice Group at Year 11, the extension of the Liturgy Group at Year 10, faith-based seminar program at Year 12 and the Liturgical Art Group at Year 8. The development of Holy Week Liturgies, the Elders Liturgy at Year 7 and Reconciliation Week. All these activities have engaged staffand students from all year levels and many curriculum areas. These programs have now reached out from the College into the wider community and allow the students, and the staff, an exciting opportunity to actively engage in their faith. It is encouraging to see the presence of God's spirit alive in so much prayerful activity.

Staff professional development days have engaged presenters from Catholic Education Office in Sydney and Melbourne and from the Carmelite Order. In the Year of rhe Jubilee Fr Brian Gore enlightened and challenged staff to live the Gospel and "bring good news to the poor".

There have been many highlights in this final year, one ofwhich was the Mass at the Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Dr G Pell. The College celebrated our feast, the Annunciation in our beautiful St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Archbishop spoke of the human encounter that happened between God and Mary on this day, when a young girl of great strength and courage responded to God in the most perfect way. Our Lady then becomes the role model for all our students. Her great love is evidenced in the way our students respond to one another and to their teachers. This is the very ‘thing that Faith Development seeks to give meaning to in our College, something I hope that I have achieved.

I have been privileged to serve in this role, and to be assisted by my family, students, staffand the College chaplains.

Mrs Mary Hennessy

Faith Development Coordinator

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Catholic schools are founded on the premise that religious education is a constitutive dimension ofeducation. At Ave Maria College Religious Education is

one of nine Key Learning Areas.

Religious Education as a

Key Learning Area is to be distinguished from the wider religious dimension, ethos and activity of the school. Religious Education as a school subject finds its usual context in the learning environment of the classroom and shares a

range of learning activities similar to those in other key learning areas that focus on linguistic, social, cultural and aesthetic development of our students.

This year has seen Ave Maria College provide an enhancement of the VCE courses. Texts & Traditions 3 & 4 have been introduced giving students a wider choice in Year 11. The Church’s ‘Option for the Poor’ was integrated into the Religion & Society 3 & 4 course, using Fr Brian Gore’s experiences in the Philippines as a case study. Also the guest speaker program at Year 12 was expanded to allow a wider reflection on the issues covered.

The academic study of Religious Education, provides our students with the framework for a deeper understanding and involvement in the wider dimensions of the religious and faith dimensions ofAve Maria's overall curriculum. This relationship was clearly seen in the involvement of many students in social justice activities, community service and liturgy, where their increased awareness and skills made them dynamic participants in these areas of the life of the College.

Mr Patrick Platt

Religious Education Coordinator

Year 12 Seminar Monica Cottee, Ms Petrina Burrell - State Youth Coordinator, St Vincent de Paul Society, Rachael Ferighetto, Diana Marcato

Mrs Mary Hennessy and Mr Patrick Platt Year 12 Retreat facilitated by the Disciples for Youth Mission team

Ash Wednesday distribution of ashes Year 12 Seminar Rev Tim Costello

Year 7 Reflection Day at Brimbank Park

SOCIETY of ST VINCENT de PAUL

Rebecca Muscat, Nicole Eglezos, Carissa Smart, Chelsea Calaguio, Jeanette Yaacoub, Belinda Sudano, Tania Di Lizio

LITURGY

Row 3: Gloria Cara, Andrea Lane, Stacey Burdak

Row 2: Sarah Upton, Sarah McGowan, Vanessa Spuria, Julie Farrugia, Megan Rizzoli, Stephanie Surace

Row 1: Lucinda Falk, Sandra Alexandrakis, Jacqueline Toohey, Rebecca Prenc, Alexandra Lewis, Sara Kaleta, Maria Mammone

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Row 3: Daniela Fusca, Patricia De Marco, Shuana-Maree Campbell, Diana Marcato, Carla Donato, Melanie Marantelli, Wilissa D'Souza

Row 2: Sian Whitaker, Monica Cottee, Carmel Tran, Laura Reilly, Rachael Ferighetto, Rebecca Crooke

Row 1: Tamara Sanders, Fiona Mullen, Erin Griffin, Mrs Anne Jorgensen, Lauren Pannell, Julia Ottobre, Alexandria Marsh