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The question that many teachers
and parents are asked when they explain to someone that they
are involved in a multidenominational school is "Is religion
taught?". In order for any National School to be recognised
by the Department of Education it is required to have a written
religious Education Policy. In the Kilkenny School Project
religion is concerned with social, civic and moral education.
It implies education about religion as distinct from nurture
in a religion. In that way, Core Curriculum does not conflict
with denominational Religion Instruction.
What
are the main elements of the Core Curriculum?
The main elements of the Core
Curriculum are:
a)Personal Development: Nurturing
in children those aspects of personal, social, moral, ethical
and spiritual development which facilitate the growth of self-understanding
and knowledge and understanding of life within the pluralist
society in which we live.
b)The World: Enabling children
to contribute positively to the school community, the wider
community and environment in which the child lives and to
society in general ( in a manner appropriate to the child's
stage of development).
c)Explicit Religious Topics: Acquainting
the children with the religious and other thought systems
which they will encounter in school and in the wider community
and to develop an understanding of the basis of these beliefs.
d) Other topics of relevance to
the children.
Who teaches
the Core Curriculum?
The Core Curriculum is taught
by the class teachers in the KSP and it is the officially
recognised religious education programme taught in the school.
Two and a half hours of class time per week are devoted to
the subject.
What
is the difference between the Religious Education Core Curriculum
and Denominational Religious Instruction?
Denominational Religious Instruction
differs from the Core Curriculum in that its aim is to teach
children the doctrines and beliefs of a particular church
or religion. The practical organisation of Denominational
Religious Instruction is left to groups of parents who set
up committees to organise the classes and appoint teachers
with the agreement of the B.O.M. Parents must decide whether
or not they wish their child to attend these classes and inform
the appropriate committee on an annual basis.
Assemblies
As part of the Core
Curriculum, assemblies are ongoing in the school. They offer
the pupils the opportunity to come together as a whole group.
Each assembly has a particular theme. Past themes have included
Autumn, Friendship, Easter, Divali, Christmas, Farewells,
Chinese New Year and "I am Special". At the heart
of each assembly is a presentation from two classes. The presentation
might be a short play, a poem, a song interpretation or a
story. Notices, school news, commendations and names of pupils
who have recently had their birthdays are also included.
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