Religious Education promotes the holistic development of the person. It facilitates the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and moral development of students. Religious Education provides a particular space for students to encounter and engage with deep questions relating to life and meaning. It encourages students to reflect, question, critique, interpret and imagine in their lives. The students’ own experience and continuing search for meaning is encouraged and supported.
Religious Education supports the development of students by helping them-to explore how religious and other beliefs are expressed; engage with life’s big questions; and reflect on moral values for life. As students learn to live in an increasingly pluralistic world, Religious Education has a critical role to play in the curriculum in providing opportunities for students to consider the variety of religious beliefs found in Ireland and elsewhere. It encourages respect and understanding of different beliefs, perspectives and ways of living, including both the religious and non-religious response to human experience. It promotes an understanding of religions that are diverse and evolving over time. Religious Education within an Irish context offers students an opportunity to develop an understanding of how different religions, and Christianity in particular, have contributed to the society in which we live.
People today are faced with many concerns, many of which require an ethical response. Religious Education has an important contribution to make in encouraging students to engage critically with belief systems and principles of moral behaviour which can serve as a foundation for decisions.
Religious Education helps to equip students with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to support their life journey and enable them to participate in their communities and in the world as informed, respectful, responsible and caring members of society.
Here in Portumna CS Religious Education is an exam subject for Junior Cert and non exam for Leaving Cert. This years first years 2020/2021 are the first year to be following the new Junior Cycle course.
During this time there are Apps which students may find useful and fun to use in connection with RE; Apps:
Bible YouTube ( 360 tours of places of worship/significance) Spotify (create a relaxation/meditation playlist) Google Earth Plickers
1st Year Students visit The Church of Ireland in Portumna February 2020
Beatitudes for Educators.
Blessed are those who care for the young Blessed are those who foster sharing Blessed are those who encourage risk Blessed are those who show possibilities
Blessed are those who make learning fun Blessed are those who take time to reflect Blessed are those who show patience Blessed are those who build teams
Blessed are those who recognise potential Blessed are those who engage the learner Blessed are those who inspire confidence Blessed are those who foster creativity
Blessed are those who believe in others Blessed are those who affirm and encourage