Catholic Life

Religious Education at Holy Spirit College

Holy Spirit College is centred on the example of Jesus Christ, giving our Catholic school its purpose: the formation of the whole person. The College embraces the responsibility to be integral to the Church’s mission to proclaim the Good News to all people. Accordingly, the fundamental role of Religious Education at Holy Spirit College is to provide opportunities for the spiritual development of students, staff, and the broader College community.

The College is a centre for evangelisation and religious instruction, and supports the broader work of the Church in catechesis. Staff at Holy Spirit College model gospel values, and in so doing propagate the example of Jesus Christ. Religious Education is a mandatory component of the 7-12 College curriculum. Upon enrolment, parents, caregivers and students agree to support our Catholic ethos. This includes compulsory attendance at College reflection days and retreats. These events are aligned with both gospel values and the needs of the relevant year group. The cost of reflection and retreat days is incorporated within annual College fees.

College Liturgical Life

The College facilitates a range of opportunities for students, staff and the community to be involved in the fullness of Christian life. This is through Daily Prayer, College Masses and Memorial Services. Youth Ministry Leaders and the Student Representative Council are leaders of the College community. As such, it is expected that they would take an active and leading role in the preparation and running of the various liturgical events held by the College.

The College pauses during Homeroom each morning for Daily Prayer. Youth Ministry Leaders share, on a roster system, leading Daily Prayer via the College PA. Where a morning assembly has been scheduled selected Catholic Studies classes will lead College prayer.

The College aims to provide a number of opportunities for students to attend Liturgical and Eucharistic Celebrations throughout the year. Occasions during which these celebrations are traditionally held include Ash Wednesday, Easter, Year 12 Graduation Mass and Christmas.

Ritual and liturgy offer an important way of dealing with death in our Catholic context. Hence the College commemorates an annual Mass for deceased members of the the community. Additionally, students who experience the death of a family member are customarily offered a prayer service at the discretion of the College Principal (or Assistant Principal or Leader of Mission in their absence). Typically, this service is offered in the instance of the death of a parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling or current student of the College. The prayer service, organised by the Religious Education team, is intended to express solidarity and support of the family, particularly of the affected student/s. Family members are invited to attend the service, along with the year group and Pastoral Coordinators of the student/s.