Project 1

ACTION PLAN 1

Talks by the Bishop, Mother provincial, Sr Alexandra and other speakers were fruitful and informative. Such meetings are encouraged to be held on a regular basis to promote the teaching of religion.

The distributed resources helped with the implementation of the lessons.

Challenges:  Liturgical calendar of all the feasts to be sent.

Modelling values and showing fidelity to the school’s Mission Statement:

  • We noticed that when the educator leads by example it leaves greater impact on the children. E.g. daily visit to the blessed Sacrament by educators encourages children to follow by example;
  • Through stories and daily reminders, educators remind the children of Christian values. When negative behaviour is noted, the educator compares the situation to how Jesus would have acted in such situations, according to his teachings.

Plan a religious program:

Challenge – the Liturgical calendar of all the feasts has still to be sent.

  • Brother Francis videos and the booklet of Rites and Celebrations not yet available.

Before every Mass, educators explain importance of the real presence of Jesus in the host

Challenge – It is hard to find a priest who is at par with the children’s level. Their unavailability is a disadvantage.

During the months of October and May they recite one mystery of the Rosary and they are encouraged to sing Marian hymns.

Provide opportunities:

Challenge – Chapel was unavailable on Thursdays when children would spend some time in Adoration.

Students … life as Catholics:

  • Bible was used to highlight important liturgical events during the year and educators explained that the life and story of Jesus is in the Bible;
  • The Bible is on display in the classrooms
  • After every Bible story narrated, a video clip is shown to help children understand better
  • Bible stories were supported by the filling in of their own “religion book” where pictures or crafts are displayed
  • Through role play – using masks and costumes – and stories, children are encouraged to learn important values. Educators continually emphasized the need to respect the planet during outdoor activities.

Students … the poor:

  • Children collected money to sponsor a child in Guatemala, to pay for an oven for poor families etc. Through class and school fundraising activities the children were made aware of others’ sufferings, for example the poor and children at war.

Students learn … ways:

  • On a daily basis educators emphasized the importance of kindness and caring for others in many practical ways.
  • During the day children were reminded to pray for those in need.