RE: Religious Education Unit 5.

3 Confirmation

Dear Parents/Carers,

Religious Education is identified as the first learning area within a Catholic School. The
Bishops of Western Australia seek to uphold this premise, recognising the responsibility to
ensure that Student’s are taught using an approved Religious Education program.

As such, the teaching of Religious Education is a compulsory requirement for all Student’s
attending Catholic Schools. Thus, your child will engage in a thirty-minute Religious
Education lesson each day, which will serve to provide a comprehensive understanding of
the Christian messaged divulged through the Catholic Church. Meaningful learning
experiences will be provided to all students, as they are guided on their faith journey.

The next Year 5 Religious Education unit will provide students with the foundation to further
extend their understanding of freedom, choices, responsibility and the role and influence of
the Holy Spirit. Initiated with wondering at the concept of freedom and free will, the unit
will encapsulate one’s ability to make choices, while recognising the corresponding
consequences. The Students will learn that as people grow, they can improve their decision
making abilities to live and behave as God intended.

The leads Student’s to wonder at God who created human freedom, while exploring ways in
which Jesus sought to model said freedom. Correspondingly, this unit also emphasises how
Jesus taught people to follow God by loving one another and living out the Commandments.
Student’s will explore how the Commandments influence one’ s daily life and the choices
made within. Further, the influence of the Holy Spirit will also be acknowledged.

Following on, the unit explores the strength and influence of the Holy Spirit. The promise of
Jesus to send the Holy Spirit as a guide to followers will be investigated, as will the fruits of
the Holy Spirit, which influence one’s decision making process. Significant figures whom
were initially influenced by the Holy Spirit, including Mary and the Apostles, will also be
identified. Students will correspondingly seek to explore how all followers can be filled with
the Holy Spirit, and be guided by the fruits which it provides, through the Sacrament of
Confirmation.

Throughout the duration of the unit students will engage in meaningful learning
experiences, created with the intention to provide opportunities to wonder at the Creator,
recognise their responsibilities and experience the strength of the Holy Spirit.
You could further assist your child throughout the duration of this unit by;
Encouraging your child to recognise the choices and consequences for actions.
Praise them for responsible decision making.
Sharing the necessity for rules and laws to help increase responsibility.

Yours Sincerely,