CONNECTIONS INSIDE >>
2022 TERM 2
EVANGELISE + GATHER >< SEND >
3-5
FROM THE DESKS OF CCD STAFF
6-7
IN OUR CLASSROOMS
8-9
FEATURE STORY
12
FLEXIBLE LEARNING SPACES
VOL 27 ISSUE 2
FROM THE DIOCESAN COORDINATOR The SRE Curriculum
W
Walking with Jesus: Pathways of Discipleship
inter greetings to all our coordinators and catechists across the Diocese. I hope and pray that you and your families are keeping well during the flu season, particularly with Covid also still rampant. Even with ongoing disruptions and student absences due to illness, it is wonderful to be in schools teaching about God’s love and God’s presence in our lives. Children and young people, like all of us, can have hope in the future in the knowledge that God’s loving presence is always with us.
From time to time, catechists will ask if they can teach a lesson which they have written themselves or has been written by someone else that is not from the authorised curriculum. This typeof action poses a risk to the SRE program across NSW. Each year, our Bishop is required to provide an assurance to the Department of Education that our SRE teachers are using the curriculum which he has authorised. Our continued presence in the schools is subject to compliance with this requirement.
This term I’d like to draw attention to the curriculum requirements that are regulated by the Department of Education for Special Religious Education teachers (catechists). In NSW public schools, SRE is enshrined in law – the NSW Education Act 1990. There are certain legal requirements under the Act that apply to the teaching of special religious education. Two significant subsections cover the authorisation of the people who teach SRE and the authorisation of what they teach to the students in their classrooms.
Sometimes, we hear concerns from catechists that particular tenets of our faith are not taught in the curriculum. Whilst not every topic is covered every year because it would be impossible to do so, given the short timeframe we have in schools, be assured that the spiral curriculum which has been developed does cover the essentials of our Catholic faith across the scope and sequence of Kindergarten to Year 12.
Section 32(3) of the Act requires that the religious education to be given is in every case to be the religious education authorised by the religious body to which the member of the clergy or other religious teacher belongs. This means that by law SRE teachers must use the authorised curriculum of the Diocese of Broken Bay, which is Walking with Jesus: Pathways of Discipleship. This curriculum has an Imprimatur from the Bishop of Broken Bay, Bishop Anthony Randazzo and is the only curriculum authorised by Bishop Anthony for use in all the public schools of our diocese.
If you have never read the scope and sequence diagram in the front of your teachers’ manual, it might be worth a look. You will notice that we cover five curriculum strands in our lesson plans - 1) God, Revelation and Human Destiny; 2) Jesus: Human and Divine; 3) Church and Discipleship; 4) Prayer and Sacraments; and 5) Sacred Scripture. These have been incorporated into the curriculum framework in an age-appropriate manner that meet the developmental stages of children from Kinder to Year 12. The way we present the Christmas story for example to kindergarten children is very different to how we would teach that material to Year 11 or 12 students. Our teaching for discipleship model incorporates both learning outcomes and faith outcomes (which we call discipleship responses).
CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE BROKEN BAY Caroline Chisolm Centre 423 Pennant Hills rd PENNANT HILLS NSW 2120 PO Box 340 PENNANT HILLS NSW 1715 ALISON NEWELL CCD Diocesan Coordinator P: 8379 1637 M: 0424 737 911 E: alison.newell@bbcatholic.org.au SHARON DA ROZA Diocesan CCD Admin (NSH & NB Regions) P: 8379 1638 E: sharon.daroza@bbcatholic.org.au
KRISTY KOMADINA North Shore Region P: 8379 1639 M: 0400 809 644 E: kristy.komadina@bbcatholic.org.au SUE-ANNE SHERWOOD North Shore Region P: 8379 1639 M: 0416 141 508 E: sueanne.sherwood@bbcatholic.org.au JOHN DONNELLY Northern Beaches Region P: 8379 1640 M: 0437 964 072 E: john.donnelly@bbcatholic.org.au
2 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 24 2022 2021 | VOL 26, 27, ISSUE 42
Central Coast CCD Resource Centre 12 Ashton Ave THE ENTRACE NSW 2261 (Behind OLOR Church) PO Box 390 THE ENTRANCE NSW 2261 MICHAEL TEBBUTT Central Coast Region P: 8379 1641 M: 0407 218 677 E: michael.tebbutt@bbcatholic.org.au
COLLEEN SMITH Central Coast Admin P: 8379 1642 E: colleen.smith@bbcatholic.org.au Registrations for CCD Training P: 8379 1643 E: registrations@bbcatholic.org.au WWJ Curriculum Resources P: 8379 1642 E: ccdresources@bbcatholic.org.au
Join the conversation on our social media pages. instagram.com/ccdbrokenbay facebook.com/ccdbrokenbay
FROM THE DIOCESAN COORDINATOR Our curriculum is grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Sacred Scripture. There are six elements of curriculum design that have been employed by the curriculum writers to engage the students in the material. We call these the 6Rs and you will notice them in your lesson plans. They are: ·RECOGNISE students’ life experiences of the topic or issue ·RELATE the Christian Story (Sacred Scripture) ·RESPECT the Christian/Catholic Vision and/or Church’s Story & Vision ·REFLECT upon one’s life experience and/or Church’s Story & Vision ·RESPONDing as a disciple is the challenge to students ·REJOICE in a celebration worship (often linked to other elements)
You may notice that not all six elements are used in every lesson plan, but they will be found across each unit of work. They are not used in the same sequence each time. However, the fundamental goal of each unit of work is to elicit from students a discipleship response appropriate to their stage of faith development. For example, if a young student decides to forgive one of their friends who has been mean to them following a lesson based on the Lost Son, then this is a discipleship response to the learning from that lesson. Our lessons plans use symbols which are intended to engage the senses including music and song, objects and pictures, digital material, gesture and movement, smells and sounds. As you prepare for each unit of teaching, read the unit outline which provides you with background material that support the lessons which follow. As you prepare your lessons each week, the best way to stay on task is to ensure that your teaching aligns with the Lesson Aim, which cannot be changed. This allows you to bring your own creativity to the lesson plan, but ensures you are sticking to the curriculum outcomes. A lesson planning template is available on our website at the following link: Walking with Jesus Lesson Planner Template
The focus on education in the 21st Century classroom is on the student (the learner). The teacher facilitates the students’ learning and allows them to learn through interactive engagement with the curriculum content through the teacher, the other students and with the resources which are used to bring lessons to life. We ask you to trust the curriculum material and the design of what is taught across the years of schooling. If ever you need support to teach this material, we ask you to contact one of the CCD Regional Coordinators or Administration staff so that we can provide that support to you, either through our training programs or through mentoring in the classroom. If you have access to technology in the classroom and would like to use our PowerPoint resources to complement your lessons, they can be downloaded from our website at the following link: Walking with Jesus PowerPoints If you teach high school SRE, the authorised curriculum is Pathways of Discipleship. We also have digital resources available to complement these lessons. Email registrations@bbcatholic.org.au for a link to this material. A final word on SRE teaching – always remember the greatest resource you take into the classroom each week is yourself and your witness to your faith. The joy you exude in the classroom will become infectious. Children will never forget what you have taught them about the love of God through how you interact with them and how you enjoy your lessons. Thank you for all you do. God bless,
Alison Alison Newell 3 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 1
GREETINGS FROM OUR TEAM Sue-Anne Sherwood North Shore Region From rain to cold this term. But we’ve had 2 terms of teaching in schools, with no more interruptions in sight - and nothing can dampen that good news. A lovely moment for me was when I was doing gratitude prayers with my class and a lovely child thanked Jesus for their Scripture teacher. My highlights have been attending the CCRESS Conference and seeing what and how much is done by great people to keep Scripture in our schools and to witness the cohesion and collaboration that happens across all the Catholic Diocese’s in NSW & ACT. In addition, mentoring and training new Catechists has been a joy and it is so good to still be welcoming new Catechists to our family throughout the year. Keep at it, everyone. God will provide Catechists. We just have to open our eyes to notice and use our voices to invite them as God has already called them in their hearts. Please help your Co-ordinators. Try invite one person at every Mass. Ongoing training with the Secondary Catechists at Epping Carlingford has just proved what a wonderful team they are! This is leading to some new Curriculum work in August which is exciting and will complete this Curriculum review cycle as it is High School Curriculum’s turn now. Wishing you all a good winter break and renewal time during the holidays. God Bless +
Kristy Komadina North Shore Region I absolutely love this time of the year. Winter is truly upon us as we warm ourselves in the afterglow of the Christ's ressurection at Easter. The season of Easter came to a close on Pentecost Sunday but the joy and vigour continues as we, just like those first Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit and are compelled to go out into the world and share the 'Good News' with thousands of kids in public schools each week. I never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in our ministry. The Spirit is not given for a moment but accompanies us on our journey in the footsteps of Jesus. The Spirit gives us power to participate in the work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our strength in times of weakness, our guide in times of doubt, our consoler in times of sadness, our advocate who always pleads our cause. The Spirit is there, in the classroom with us, in every difficulty, trial and challenge, and in those moments of understanding, learning and pure joy. The coming of the Spirit provided the apostles with the energy, the courage, and the love to get on with the task Christ had given them as it also does for us as Catechists today. “It is the Holy Spirit who gives the Apostles power to witness. It is the Holy Spirit who explains to the faithful the deep meaning of the teaching of Jesus and of His mystery. It is the Holy Spirit who disposes the individual to be receptive to that proclamation of the gospel.” (Pope Paul VI) I pray that the Holy Spirit inspires and invigorates you to proclaim Him, to evangelise, and to lead others to the “yes” of faith in Jesus Christ.
4 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
Sharon da Roza Admin Assistant North Shore
I have just returned from three weeks of leave. Mmm…bit of a brain fog. What is it that I actually do? My backlog of emails is slightly overwhelming my brain; so trying to write a piece for Connections is almost beyond my capability at the moment. I just relaxed at home, enjoying the cooler weather, catching up with friends and imbibing the odd glass of wine sitting in front of a warm fire. I was not looking forward to returning to work today at all. However, one of the good things that has come out of the lockdown and working from home, is that our CCD team meets every morning via Zoom for a short prayer and work catchup. It has remained as part of our daily work life. So, it was a good way to get back into the rhythm of work, to start the day reconnecting with my colleagues, take a deep breath and tentatively wade into my tasks. I do recall a couple of Parish Coordinators meetings from last term, where we met in person and not via Zoom. I have really missed the personal contact with catechists that we have not been able to experience over the past couple of years, so it certainly was a highlight to catch up with the Northern Beaches and the North Shore Parish Coordinators face-to-face. Amongst my sea of emails, I see that I there are many applications for 2022 Service Awards and that always warms my heart – as I like to see our wonderful volunteers acknowledged for their amazing efforts in the ministry. My thanks to Colleen for holding the CCD admin fort its entirety while I was away, being carefree and not giving a single thought to work.
Michael Tebbutt Central Coast Region
Last term saw a lot of the parishes here on the coast juggling the teachers who were able to return to the classroom to make sure as many children received their SRE classes. Thankfully with a few more recruits taking up the reins, the pressure has been relieved a little but as Jesus once said, “… the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” It is consoling to realise that Jesus had a similar problem 2000 years ago as we do today. It has been great working with the new catechists who have undertaken the CCDMI and Level 1 training via Zoom this term.I am always encouraged when new people turn up for this training. It is a sure sign that the ministry is alive and well. I am looking forward to meeting the new catechists face to face in the workshops which are focusing on music, drama and storytelling. I encourage you all to keep turning up to teach your lessons, with a warm greeting and smiles for both our students and the school staff. God’s Spirit will be with you always.
John Donnelly
Colleen Smith
Admin Assistant Central Coast Well, the pace has slowed a little in term 2, but this has allowed me to catch up on some of the administrative tasks that had been put aside earlier this year. I was also able to take some annual leave in April to enjoy some time away with my husband in our caravan. We had several days at Old Bar on the NSW North Coast (near Taree) and then onto spending time with my husband’s extended family on his nephew’s farm at Dungog. Having grown up on a farm in the NSW Central West, I love spending time on the farm and with the animals and nature, I feel close to God in this quiet, tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of life in suburbia. It is nice to have catechists starting to visit me again looking for resources at the Central Coast CCD Resource Centre at Our Lady of the Rosary at The Entrance, I have missed seeing everyone in person and it is nice to hear how your classes are going and being able to offer resources again to assist with engaging the children in lessons. If you are a catechist on the Central Coast and would like to come and visit the CCD Resource Centre, please call me on 8379 1642 to ensure that there is someone there to meet you as at times staff may be required elsewhere in the Diocese and the centre may be closed. Well, I hope you are all keeping warm with the sudden cold change and the start to winter. I have certainly noticed the difference this year as for the last two winters I have worked from home due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. I look forward to hearing from you all at some stage when you register for either training or other CCD events currently being offered. To register for events phone 8379 1643 or email registrations@bbcatholic.org.au.
Northern Beaches Region Welcome to winter everyone. Recently I attended a couple of lessons in a number different schools. I am reminded of how different each school community operates. Some are friendly and welcoming and others just seem to tolerate us because they have to. My challenge is be ‘Christ like’ wherever I go. Another interesting reminder I have had is how different classes respond to the same lesson. I currently present the Stage 3A lessons to a Year 5 group and later in the week to a Year 6 group in another school. Whilst my preparation time is reduced I am still adjusting to the literacy, learning styles and group dynamics of each class. The differences were very noticeable when I presented the Coming of the Holy Spirit lesson a few weeks ago. Some students were keen to lead the reading, one class read the chorus parts together very well, and one class really engaged in discussion about the symbols of the Holy Spirit while the other were looking for some individual bookwork to do. Student learning preferences can be challenging but catering to them effectively is what makes good Catechists great! Enjoy the differences.
Check out the sacred space I created for one of my lessons. Usually I only set up on a low table but this enabled students to see better.
5 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
PENTECOST IN THE CLASSROOM What's been happening in the classroom?
A
s Catechists, we embrace this mission by evangelising in State Schools. From sport activities through to extended work commitments, our busy modern lives often put pressure on the ability of families to attend Church on weekends. In light of this, I asked myself what I could do to encourage children to come to Church? Perhaps, if they couldn’t come to Church physically, there was a way I could have them attend symbolically? This would allow us to feel their presence and pray for them at the Liturgy. Then it came to me: having them create an artwork would give them a physical presence at the liturgy and allow us a visual, physical connection with them. As the children we teach range from Kindergarten through to Year 6, so the artwork would have to include elements that were appropriate to their skills. Pentecost provided the perfect context to achieve this. I had the younger students colour in doves and flames, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and the older children write their intentions to the Holy Spirit. One Sunday, whilst having lunch with my dear friend, Catechist Theresa Oo, I mentioned this idea. She immediately embraced and supported it. Being the talented artist that she is, she offered to paint the background. That’s how the Spirit moves! Some of the other Catechists volunteered to collage the artwork. We let our creativity glow and flow. Two artworks were produced, one for Willoughby Public School and one for Northbridge Public School, and invitations sent home inviting families come to Church on Pentecost Sunday to see the magnificent artwork their children had produced. Parents were warmly welcomed by the Catechists and Parish Community. The children were rightfully very proud of the artwork, and, by the number of pictures taken of it, their parents were too! Aida Moore
Lower North Shore
Aida Moore, Juanita Tuesta, Theresa Oo and Zoe Vodden with the artworks.
6 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
T
he catechists from the Lower North Shore Parish were recently challenged by their Parish Catechist Coordinator Henny Theodorus to come up with some crafty ideas to mark the end of the Easter season and to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost in a special way with their students. Boy did they step up to the PLATE! New Catechist Stephanie Nunn came up with this easy activity for her year 1 class that many of the other Catechists in the group also decided to do with their class. The children created doves using paper plates. They decorated them with beautiful designs and some of the classes incorporated the gifts of the Holy Spirit in various ways.
IN THE CLASSROOM
O
ccasionally as a Catechist you will teach a class that goes really well both from the perspective of you, the students and the content of the lesson. This happened to me a couple of weeks ago teaching my year 6 class at Balgowlah Heights Primary School. They are a good class comprising 20 students with more girls than boys. The class was 3.3.3 on Mother Teresa. Whilst telling the students about Mother Teresa, I was able to add a personal touch as 13 years ago I had been part of a pilgrim group travelling through India when we visited Mother Teresa’s house on Ash Wednesday. I found several photographs on my iPad which I was able to share with the students and they were very interested especially to see some of the sisters at work in Kolkata. I was able to tell them that she was originally a Loreto sister and had obtained dispensation from the then Pope to establish a new order and the rest is history. Sometimes in a class all the stars align and when they do, you feel really encouraged and blessed in the catechist work that you do each week. As we all know, not every week is gold but when it happens , it is exciting.
The Holy Spirit is always at work
I
only began the SRE year with my Year 2 class In May. (I also taught them in Year 1 until the end of Term 2 last year and then we went into lockdown.) In our first lesson, we were discussing that our curriculum is called “Walking with Jesus” and that He walks with us every day. A little girl had a very puzzled look on her face and asked, “is He actually still alive?” One of the boys, who I remembered as a bit of a handful last year, waved his arm in the air saying “I know, I know where He is … He is in our hearts...you told us that last year!” Goes to show, you may not think the students have been listening but the Holy Spirit is always working in them.
Brian Hamer
Catechist, North Harbour Parish
Alicen van Bokhoven
Parish Catechist Coordinator, Lakes Parish
Brian and his wife Gai who are both Catechists in the North Harbour Parish.
I have to tell you all a funny story that was told to me by a Catechist many years ago. This Catechist was teaching their class of young primary school students about the Holy Spirit. The lesson was going well and they were learning all about how the Holy Spirit appeared as dove. Suddenly a pigeon flew in through an open window and flew around the classroom, causing quite a stir! They somehow managed to shoo the bird back outside again and it took several minutes to settle the class down after all the excitement. As the Catechist composed themselves to continue with the lesson, they noticed a student at the back of the classroom with their hand up. "Yes, what is it?" asked the Catechist. The child responded, "Miss, I'm very glad the Holy Spirit wasn't an elephant!"
Alison
7 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
CATECHIST FORMATION The Feast of Pentecost
T
he Feast of Pentecost or Shavuot, using its Hebrew name, was a great pilgrim feast that the Jewish people observed and gave thanks to God for God’s benevolence in blessing the first fruits of the early wheat harvest. The Jewish people also believe this remember the Moses receiving the Torah, (The Law) on Mt Sinai. This feast is tied to the celebration of the Passover and is celebrated 7 weeks after the Passover. It is a pilgrim celebration as the people gathered in Jerusalem to await the High Priest’s blessing of two loaves of bread made from the new wheat. His prayer and blessing looked forward to a successful conclusion of the final harvest in the coming months. In Luke’s Gospel, Luke has Jesus reminding the apostles that everything that had happened to him had been written in the Jewish Scriptures and had to happen. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:44 – 53) Acts of the Apostles, the story of Pentecost points out the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostles. Once the Holy Spirit had descended on them while they waited prayerfully in the upper room, they were super charged. They could not contain the Good News, the Kerygma, that Jesus, the Son of God, had died and rose from the dead, over coming sin and death, once and for all.
8 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
This is demonstrated by Peter, who goes out and addresses the crowd who had gathered outside and he gives a systematic account of what the Jewish Scriptures were telling them but they did not understand. Beginning with the prophet Joel, Peter declares that: "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” What a transformation in Peter who had denied Jesus three times on that Good Friday!
So what is the challenge for us? Are we going to let Pentecost 2022 be another celebration in which we acknowledge what happened in the Acts of the Apostles and then leave it at that? Each day, we are invited by God’s Holy Spirit to be fully immersed in God’s love and to be involved in the world with all its joys and sufferings. As catechists, we are the face of Jesus for the children whom we teach. To be truly the face of Jesus, we need to be fully engaged with the world in which we live. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to transform us as the Apostles were transformed on that eventful day when the Tongues of Flame appeared above their heads.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send us your Spirit and we shall be recreated. Through the work we do in Jesus’ name, the face of the earth shall be made new.
Michael Tebbutt
A CATECHIST'S STORY
Honouring the Work of John Quirk
I
n the Gospels, we see God’s tender heart for children. His willingness to devote time to them, His recognition of their societal status, and His zeal for protecting their innocence, demonstrated His high regard.
Our dear Catechists, as you follow in Jesus’ footsteps, you take God’s Word deep into your hearts. As heard on the Bible in a Year Podcast, ‘God is having His way with your heart by his Word. Your gift is lending your voice to God to speak.’
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them for it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. (Mt19:14)
One such special catechist is John Quirk. I had the pleasure of working with John when he was a Yr 6 Catechist at Lindfield East and other schools. When he retired from his career, one day he heard a call for Catechists in his parish and within a month he was in a classroom teaching SRE. John has been a Catechist for 31 years. Teaching scripture in public schools to God’s children was a special part of John’s life (in addition to ministering in hospitals). John now says that he takes great comfort as he draws near to his maker, that he has been able to devote time to God’s little children, teaching them as a Catechist and knowing he was doing God’s good work. The children loved John and his kind, gentle ways. Just one of the things he would do is to make Christmas cards with the children for the lonely people in Aged Care. John just let Christ shine out in everything that he did. A bright light and definitely the face of Christ to the children. John was always up there talking at Mass to help with Catechist recruitment. He was passionate about this calling as he was passionate about his family. John loved to laugh. He cared. He checked up and checked in with people. John is ‘salt of the earth’. As I write this, today’s reading in ‘Pray As You Go' (an online prayer app) says, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Thank you John, for letting your light shine on the hundreds of children you have taught about God's love over 31 years as a Catechist. We honour you and your good work. Thank you! You and your family are in our prayers as your return to our Father in Heaven.
Sue-Anne Sherwood
North Shore Regional Coordinator
We acknowledge with sympathy that, since this article was written, John Quirk passed away to his eternal reward. The CCD team and the catechist community of Broken Bay offer our sincere condolences to John’s family. “Well done good and faithful servant”. Mt 25:23 9 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
FOR THE CLASSROOM SAFEGUARDING
Thank you to Viviana Roberts from Wyoming Parish for this activity
Loaves and Fishes Find-a-Word
Luke 9:11-17
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Flexible Learning Spaces
I
n the April school holidays, we were fortunate enough to be able to offer a hands-on, in person training session for experienced Catechists in classroom management, with a particular focus on flexible learning spaces. Increasingly more classrooms in schools are foregoing the traditional classroom design where the teacher stands at the chalk board and talks whilst the students sit at desks in neat rows and face the front of the room.
In the end it was well worth the effort as we all learnt something to put into practice in the SRE classroom. For some it was safety procedures, for others new learning activities, and for many it was a timely reminder that facilitating student learning doesn’t mean doing all the talking.
We were very privileged to have the use of two flexible learning spaces at Corpus Christi Primary School in St Ives for our training. The setting provided the attendants an immersive opportunity to experience the space from the perspective of the teacher and the student. At times the participants found the different seating options confronting and challenging. The idea of choice for the students was was also a new concept for many and in the class we were able to unpack many of the benefits as well as the challenges a flexible learning space presents. The classroom also posed challenges for us as facilitators on the day. John Donnelly, who facilitated the session explained, "As a trainer I was challenged by this learning environment and had to adapt in order to facilitate the various parts to the session. Finding a focal point when giving an explanation or instruction. Moving around the furniture to engage with individuals and groups. Directing participants movement in order to show a video. Each activity called for consideration, planning and careful instructions." A view through the connected classroom doors
WHAT WE LEARNED... Students are able to make choices about their own learning – what space will be best for the task at hand. Catechists can assign suitable spaces more conducive to different tasks (small group, independent, individual, etc.) Classrooms look and feel more engaging and inviting The flexible layout promotes collaboration and communication. Students love working in the flexible spaces. They enjoy being able to choose their working space according to the task they are completing Consider how to best utilise the space for your lesson. Should you stand at the front? Should you move around the room? Where is the focal point?
Group work in the different seating modes in the flexible learning space 12 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
TRAINING AND FORMATION
Latest in Training and Formation We have some great opportunities for training and formation coming up in the next couple of months. Level 1 Workshop Days are open to any catechist who would like to be inspired and upskill in using music, stories and drama in their lessons. Whether you are a newly trained catechist or have been in ministry for years, this worskhop has something for everyone. Compulsory Ongoing Safeguarding training is essential for all Catechists to complete every 3 years. If it was 2019 the last time you did Safeguarding, it's time to do it again. Your coordinator would have been in touch with you about registering, but if you're not sure, please contact Colleen at the registrations desk and find out if you're due. CCD Ministry Induction training is essential for all new recruits. We are offering the next block of CCDMI units over Zoom beginning in August.
For enquiries and bookings for any of these courses, email: registrations@bbcatholic.org.au or phone 8379 1643
Get on the waiting list for initial safeguarding training!
Join us for
Level 1 workshop days
Safeguarding Children / Child Protection Sometimes people join our ministry at various times of the year. Whilst it is essential for every new Catechist to complete the CCD Ministry Induction course to receive their green Authorisation Card, there are occasions where there is a need to get a new recruit into a classroom to assist with covering classes.
everybody welcome!
P ost p Sessions 12, 13 & 14
When the next CCDMI training is run (in this case August), these people will be expected to complete the rest of the training units in order to obtain full authorisation (green card) Contact Colleen at Registrations: registrations@bbcatholic.org.au or phone 8379 1643
northern beaches region - 9:30am - 2:30pm on ed T o be r esc he Sacred Heart Parish Centre d u le d 1 Keenan Street, Mona Vale
North shore region - 9:30am - 2:30pm Sessions 12, 13 & 14
Our registrations whizz Colleen Smith keeps a list of new recruits who are looking to get into the classroom more quickly, and every couple of weeks we run a bespoke "Safeguarding/Child Protection" unit to assist with getting these people into classrooms sooner on provisional yellow cards.
REFRESHER TRAINING FOR ALL CATECHISTS
Monday 20 June
Fr Harry Davis Room, Caroline Chisolm Centre, Pennant Hills
central coast region - 9:30am - 2:30pm The Entrance Parish Centre Sessions 12, 13 & 14
Monday 27 June
239-243 The Entrance Road, The Entrance
in g n i tr a a ge e r p M o the r ov e 13 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
CCD MINISTRY INDUCTION
on
y ulsor Comp ing Train
6:30PM - 8:30pm
Suitable for new OR yellow 2 AUGUST card catechists, or any mission and ministry of the catechist catechist as a refresher 9 AUGUST
People can attend all sessions, the ones they need to complete for full authorisation, or the ones that might interest them.
SRE Teacher in the Parish and the School
16 AUGUST Safeguarding Children / Child Protection 23 AUGUST Lesson Planning: Teaching the Authorised Curriculum
register no later than 1 week prior to each session registrations via email
30 AUGUST Development of the Child and Adolescent 6 SEPTEMBER
registrations@bbcatholic.org.au
classroom management
COURSE HANDOUTS AND ZOOM LINK WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU CLOSE TO THE TRAINING DATE
13 SEPTEMBER introduction to the bible
20 SEPTEMBER Lesson Planning: Using Digital Resources
14 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Powerpoint Lessons Don't forget about our Walking With Jesus Powerponts. There are new lessons being updated all the time. They are the perfect companion for your classroom lessons as they contain all the visuals and audios that you need for your lesson.
Social Media Are you following our Facebook and Instagram social media pages?
By regularly sharing our posts, you raise awareness of our ministry amongst your family and friends.
facebook.com/ccdbrokenbay instagram.com/ccdbrokenbay
15 | CCD NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2022 | VOL 27, ISSUE 2