Clontarf Aboriginal College recently celebrated its Religious Education (RE) Week, following the success of the inaugural RE Week in 2017.

The College’s RE Week 2018 included guest speakers, activities and events supporting students and staff to engage with religious education, grow in their faith, and explore the links between the Catholic faith and Aboriginal spirituality.

Returning guests from 2017 included The Most Reverend Don Sproxton, Father Joseph Tran and Dr Angela McCarthy, who brought along a very rare St John’s Bible for students to examine. These guests were joined by The Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, Mr Peter Yensch, CEWA Deputy Executive Director, boxing great Danny Green and Vanessa Corunna, a Noongar/Palkyl woman and traditional land owner.

In keeping with the 2018 theme Year of Youth, there was a focus on including young presenters, with Sacred Heart College Year 11 student Madison Heady speaking to students about the importance of her own faith journey. There were also visits from Youth Mission Team Perth throughout the week.

Thanks to the week’s program of talks and events, students and staff had opportunities to engage in topics ranging from Aboriginal spirituality, inclusion, personal faith testimonies, personal life experiences, social justice issues and theology.

The students also participated in a series of competitions and games throughout their lessons and at recess and lunchtime, including the Clontarf Amazing Race, which saw students racing around the campus answering RE, college and campus based questions in their bid to be the champion.

A group of students also visited Prendiville Catholic College to work with students there to make their own glass crosses. Activities took place in other Learning Areas also, with all students commencing their mathematics and literacy classes with RE-based activities. The week ended with a musical gala where staff and students performed.

Christian Service Learning featured throughout the week with a group of Year 12 boys preparing meals for Shopfront, Year 7 students preparing food, students fundraising for LifeLink and a group of students visiting Ronald McDonald House to lead activities and meet the children staying there.

The week once again energised and inspired the College, and enhanced the learning taking place in the Religious Education curriculum.

RE Week is now firmly fixed within the Clontarf Aboriginal College calendar.

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