SRE Newsletter - No 82 - Term 1 - January 2012

No 82 Term 1 2012

Spreading Good News

Welcome people …………..

Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message.

If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies.

Everything should be done in a way that will bring honour to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen 1Peter 4:9-11

My dear SRE Teachers and Assistants, As we begin another year in ministry to students in State schools, I would like to say welcome to each of you who so generously give of you time as Catechists to go into classrooms to share your knowledge of God’s love for each child. May the Lord bless our work in His vineyard with abundant, if unseen success. As a group of volunteers who carry the gospel message to the students in our State schools, I am sure the message given to the students, will help them to understand the meaning for their lives and inspire attitudes of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

CATECHIST SUNDAY Catechist Sunday will be celebrated in the Diocese of Bathurst on Sunday 26th February.

If you have anything, e g photos or stories that could be used for the Observer, would you forward them to observer@bathurst.catholic.org.au before the 3rd March. Any Easter pictures from last year would be acceptable.

Catechist Sunday is a celebration for the generous volunteers who go to the State schools. It is an opportunity for SRE Teachers /Assistants to promote the work they do each week for Scripture lessons in Special Religious Education. (SRE) Coordinators , could you meet with your Parish Priest to discuss the Liturgy plan for that weekend.

YEAR OF GRACE The Year of Grace is the Australian Bishops’ gift to the Church to celebrate and renew our faith and life as Catholics. Catholic people of Australia have been called to a Year of Grace which will span the time from Pentecost

2012 to Pentecost 2013. It is an exhortation from the Bishops of Australia to commit ourselves to start afresh from Christ.

More information on the Diocese of Bathurst website.

CODE OF CONDUCT Interaction with the Students *Behaviour that may cause psychological harm to a student: *Targeted and sustained criticism, belittling or teasing; *Excessive or unreasonable demands; *Hostility; verbal abuse, rejection or scapegoating; *Using inappropriate locations or social isolation, outside of school’s discipline policy, as punishment; SRE Teachers/Assistants must always treat students in a consistent manner without inappropriate or spending ‘special time’ with any student.

Some indicative behaviours that may suggest a student is not being treated in a consistent manner could include: *Giving gifts to a child (for example giving birthday gift to a particular student when this is not the practice with other students, or asking the student to keep the gift as a secret from others ;) *Showing special favours; *Allowing a student to over-step rules, except where it is clearly articulated in a student’s Individual Education Plan or Individual Behaviour Management Plan; *Sharing secrets with a student; *Inconsistent consequences or allowances; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES Requirements of all SRE Teachers & Assistants, by the DEC is that we have on

record all Volunteers who go into the schools, have signed a NSW Working with Children Check – Volunteer/ Student Declaration as required under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998. The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst has in place a process where the forms signed by you are kept at the Chancery Office and I have to sign an Authorisation of Teachers of Special Religious Education Form 2012 for the DEC to say I have on record your signed form before you go to the schools.

The revised Policies and Procedures Documents are on the DEC website.

TERM ONE OVERVIEW of PROGRAMS CEP CONNECT PROGRAM CYCLE B1 The question is asked ‘Who is Jesus?’ The focus is on Luke’s Gospel. Growing with God – beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus calls people, has power to forgive and to heal.

The Easter story. Jesus’ power over life and death. His Resurrection and Ascension.

The SRE Teachers who work with Sunday Scriptures Alive follow the Sunday readings, Year B, Mark’s Gospel Ch 1 – 9.

The third, fourth & fifth Sunday Gospel readings of Lent are from John’s Gospel.

Included in the sheets are appropriate worksheets for each stage.

FORMS Again we need to fill in the SRE Return forms.

I’d like these forms to be sent to me by MARCH 5TH , please.

AUTHORISATION CARD All SRE Teachers and Assistants ensure that you have a current ( purple ) Authorisation card signed by your Parish Priest. Carry this card each time you go to your class. The Principal of the school may ask to see your card.

TRAINING DAYS BATHURST 1st February Venue Christian Life Centre Corner Gilmore & Hereford St Topics -Classroom Management -Craft -Stage Groups preparations of Lessons Contact & registration Mr Steve Howes 6331 5251 ORANGE 15th February Contact person Rose Cooke RYSTONE

9th March

WARREN

12th March

WALKING WITH JESUS – PATHWAYS OF DISCIPLESHIP Diocese of Broken Bay 2006 The first lessons focus on God’s love in the world and His love for all creation. The Teachers will work with the students to encourage responsibility in their actions in caring for God’s creation. The students listen to and recount some stories of Jesus life, His Death and Resurrection.

CHRIST OUR LIGHT AND LIFE Archdiocese of Sydney 2010 People are God’s special creation. We all make choices – good and bad. Lent & Prayer. Stories of events leading up to Holy Week. The signs of Jesus’ love for each one of us.

GODSPACE Beginning the term with an introduction for the students about God, Jesus and the Bible.

Continuing with the Creation story.

To give an insight into who Jesus is, and his close friends. Jesus’ model of prayer using the Lord’s Prayer.

Also the story of Joseph, one who trusted God. Easter.

CRE PROGRAM What is made reveals something about the maker. The Bible is the best source of information about God. Jesus chose others to help him. Everyone is special Jesus put care of others first. Jesus actions help us to know who He is.

Easter.

SAFE CHURCH AWARENESS WORKSHOPS 9.30am – 3.30pm ORANGE FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY Contact: EMMA PARR 82674290 Venue: Uniting Church Hall DUBBO SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY Contact: EMMA PARR 82674290 Venue: Wesley House (Dubbo Uniting Church Hall) 64 Church Street, Dubbo A requirement of Volunteers teaching Special Religious Education is Child Protection Awareness. Participants are asked to contribute $15.00 per person to attend the workshop.

This helps cover the cost of course materials.

Please bring own lunch.

CROSS AUTHORISATION FORM It’s important for this form to be filled in by all Church groups, all SRE Teachers and Assistants and signed by the Church authority with whom they are affiliated. This form is to be Copied, kept at the parish office and the original handed to the school.

SRE CELEBRATION AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE SYDNEY I’ve included a flyer with information about the celebration at Parliament House for SRE Teachers/Assistants to recognise the generous work you do in Special Religious Education.

CHURCH CALENDAR 2nd February Presentation of The Lord 11th February Our Lady of Lourdes 22nd February Ash Wednesday 26th February 1st Sunday of Lent 17th March St Patrick th 19 March St Joseph th 26 March The Annunciation of the Lord 1st April Passion Sunday th 5 April Holy Thursday 6th April Good Friday th 8 April Easter Sunday 15th April Divine Mercy Sunday th 25 April Anzac Day 26th April St Mark, Evangelist DIRECTORY Helen C Ryan CCD SRE P O BOX 720 DUBBO NSW 2830 Home: 02 6884 5848 Mob: 0407 001 196 Email: hcryan@nsw.chariot.net.au Mrs Vicki Mair 73 Freeman Circuit Lianarth BATHURST NSW 2795 Home: 02 6332 2835

CATHOLIC RESOURCE CENTRE A multi-media lending library operated by the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Bathurst PO BOX 725 BATHURST NSW 2795 GILMOUR STREET KELSO NSW 2795 Information, resources and services to support SRE are available from the Catholic Resource Centre.

Telephone: (02) 6338 3022 - If Centre is busy or unattended, please DO leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Fax: (02) 6338 3001 Email: recentre@bth.catholic.edu.au Hours – Term 1 – 2012: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday : 9 am – noon & 1 pm – 5 pm Tuesday: 2pm – 5pm - Outside these hours by appointment.

-Since there are odd, unscheduled times when the Centre may be closed during standard hours, it is strongly recommended that if you plan to visit the Centre, especially if coming from a distance, to telephone in advance to ensure staff availability.

PO BOX 725 BATHURST NSW 2795 GILMOUR STREET KELSO NSW 2795 Telephone: 02 6338 3022 Fax: 02 6338 3001 Email: recentre@bth.catholic.edu.au Online Catalogue Bookmark / save to favourites the URL below for quick access to the Centre’s online catalogue. A guide to using the online catalogue is available from the Centre. http://library.bth.catholic.edu.au/

WEB RESOURCES REsourcesBathurst has links to web sites for the primary religious education program used in Catholic schools in the diocese. Visit the link below and insert a tag such as ‘easter’ for a list of related links. http://www.delicious.com/resourcesbathu rst/ EASTER DVD’s – Selection available for loan The Jesus movie [DVD] On cover : Experience the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Back cover : ... transports children to Nazareth for the story of Jesus' birth, follows his life and miracles along the shores of Lake Galilee and ends in Jerusalem with his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection...simple, straightforward narrative. Animated.

The First Easter [DVD] A 3-D animation special telling the story of Jesus Christ though the eyes of a child to teach children ages 4-10 the meaining and significance of the crucifixion and resurrection. Meet Nate, a young street orphan, and his faithful companion, a loving, bravehearted little dog named Bark.

Together they wander the streets of Jerusalem seeking food and shelter until one day they come face to face with a man called Jesus. As Nate watches him suffer on the cross, his eyes are opened for the first time to witness the Light of God. Join Nate on his journey as he discovers a faith born through his encounter with Jesus Christ, whose resurrection forever changed the course of Nate's life... and his heart.

This story is metaphor for the Christian understanding of each of us as special, created and loved by God. Based on the book: You are special /

by Max Lucado ...Punchinello is covered with the gray stickers....and can't seem to earn even one gold star.

When he meets a most unusual Wemmick, Punchinello discovers that things can be different...and how special he is no matter what other Wemmicks think of him. Special features include an educational vocabulary section and interactive game. May need to use over two lessons as there is 60 minutes of content on the DVD. BIG BOOKS – Range of titles available for loan from the Catholic Resource Centre.

TERM ONE PROGRAMS A few related resources, contact the Centre for more suggestions In the beginning : based on Genesis 12:4 [Storybook + Compact Disc] / written by Andrew Chinn ; illustrated

by Jacqui Brown.

The Lord's Prayer [DVD] Main approx. 30 minutes. Bonus features: Optional scripture reference subtitles ; Adventure Quiz with 3 skill levels ; Bible scriptures in King James or NIV versions . Interactive for more features online. Summary : After Jesus' resurrection and ascension into Heaven, His disciples find their faith tested when Peter is arrested and cast into a Roman prison. As Herod plots Peter's death, the believers gather together and follow the example that Jesus taught. Through faith and persistent prayer, Peter's chains are broken and the Angel of the Lord opens the prison gates. --- Chapter index on inside cover.

Ascension and Pentecost [Big Book] Included stories: Jesus returns to his father ; The spirit comes.

You are special : a story about self worth [Book +DVD]