New Document on the Secondary Understanding Faith RE Curriculum from the National Centre for Religious Studies

Poipoia te kakano kia puawai � Nurture the seed and it will blossom. Following the release of the Primary RE Bridging Document earlier this year, teachers of Religious Education (RE) in Catholic secondary schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand will have access to a new curriculum guide provided by the National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS). 

NCRS is providing secondary RE teachers with the Secondary Religious Education Bridging Document (SREBD). The SREBD is designed to support teachers in �looking anew� at the mandated Understanding Faith Religious Education Curriculum in today�s secondary school setting. It is the result of significant consultation and reflection and is designed to be a practical, living document.

NCRS Director, Colin MacLeod, said �This document links with the primary REBD to support deep consideration of Religious Education in all our Catholic schools. It is important to be clarifying what RE is all about and developing a shared vision of what we �hope� for the young people in our care. The SREBD revisits our teaching of RE, placing the person of Jesus at the centre of what we do.  It provides a foundation and encouragement for RE teachers and reminds us of the �why� and the �who� (Jesus) which give meaning to RE in our schools and is the reason for �what� we teach.�

Colin goes on to say, �the SREBD revisits what is currently a 20-year-old curriculum while the formal, longer process of preparing a new RE Curriculum begins. It is produced only in electronic format only, in response to Laudato Si� and the digital climate, and is available on FaithCentral.nz.�

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference President, Bishop Patrick Dunn, said, �The Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand give thanks for all who teach Religious Education in our parishes and schools, we encourage you in your work, and assure you of our prayers as you participate in nurturing the seed of faith in our young people.�