Part of our Religious Education program is ensuring that when students leave our school, they are religiously literate.  This means that they can understand and apply the key concepts, terminology, and teachings of the Catholic Church in their everyday life.  This ideal is based on the NSW and ACT Catholic Bishops aim that all students within our Catholic School system, from all religious and non-religious backgrounds, know, understand and can apply the core teachings of the Catholic faith, our scriptures, history and tradition, and how they are lived in the world.”  (Crossroads 2007).

Religious Education at St Clare’s High School, and in the wider Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, is not only based on providing the core values of the Catholic faith but educating students about the goodness that comes from following the example Jesus Christ and our patron saints Mary MacKillop and Clare of Assisi.  Thus, a high level of religious literacy enables them to function effectively in our current Australian environment as they learn about being good people and religion to break down barriers and encourage social cohesion.

Religious Literacy Test Years 8 and 10

In the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, there is a focus on religious literacy throughout all Catholic Schools and students are tested in a diocesan-wide test in Years 8 and 10. 

• Year 8 will sit the Diocesan Religious Literacy Test on Wednesday, 31 May and this will form 30% of their overall Religion Assessment results for 2023. The test is based on the Christian Scriptures Unit.
• Year 10 will sit the Diocesan Religious Literacy Test on Wednesday, 13 September and this will form 30% of their overall Religion Assessment results for 2023. The test is based on all THREE units Year 10 will study in Terms 1-3.

Students will be provided an assessment task notification prior to their test date and the structure of the test will be discussed with students in class.  Students will complete a series of activities, formative assessments, and revision quizzes so their teacher can continue to assist them to develop their knowledge, understanding and application of content in written form.  We encourage you to discuss the Religious Studies content with your child and discover all that they have to share about their relevant units.

Tanille Gardner
Leader of Learning Religious Studies