WelCom December 2018:
The National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS) is one of the three organisations, along with the Tertiary Education provider (PTE) and the Nathaniel Centre, that forms The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCI). NCRS produces religious education and catechetical programmes at early childhood, primary and secondary levels for schools and parishes. The centre also produces adult education courses and teacher formation programmes. NCRS has recently released the following three resources.
Secondary school RE curriculum revisited
NCRS is providing secondary schools’ religious education teachers with a new curriculum guide. Entitled Poipoia te kakano kia puawai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom – the guide has been produced as a bridging document for use by RE teachers while a new Years’ 1–13 curriculum is being developed.
NCRS Director Colin MacLeod said the document revisits the 20-year-old curriculum. ‘It links with the recently released primary schools’ bridging document to support deep consideration of religious education in all Catholic schools.
‘It is important to clarify what RE is about and develop a shared vision of what we ‘hope’ for the young people in our care. This document revisits our teaching of RE, placing the person of Jesus at the centre of what we do. It provides a foundation and encouragement for RE teachers and reminds us of the ‘why’ and the ‘who’ of Jesus, that gives meaning to RE in our schools and is the reason for ‘what’ we teach.’
The document is online at FaithCentral.nz
Guidance for Catholic schools on gender diversity
NCRS is providing guidance to Catholic schools throughout New Zealand on gender complexity. Endorsed by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, the guidance is for principals, boards of trustees, staff and whānau. Entitled Gender Complexity in Schools, the document provides a point of reference in the support and accompaniment of children and young people who may be experiencing gender dysphoria in our schools.
NCRS Director Colin MacLeod says, ‘This document is intended to provide appropriate and practical guidance regarding this complex issue in our schools. It does not cover every aspect but acknowledges the need to treat every person with love and respect and to support students in their growing self-identity in a kind and sensitive manner.’
Gender Complexity in Schools, guided by faith, spiritualty and the sacraments, sets out principles for the Catholic school community, which has a responsibility to ensure all young-people are respected and accepted.
The document is available online at tci.ac.nz/ncrs
‘Each and every person, female and male, is created in the image and likeness of God and is to be accepted as a gift and blessing of God.’ – Donum Vitae, Part II, A,1
Booklet celebrates family
NCRS has produced a group reflection and discussion booklet entitled Blessed to be Family. It is based on Pope Francis teachings in Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) released in 2016 following the 2014 and 2015 Synods on the Family.
NCRS’s Blessed to be Family is about pastoral care of families and love in family life. It sets out a programme for parishes and others to work through in small groups through conversation, reflection and prayer.
The new booklet is the latest in NCRS’s series to encourage discussion and growth around faith and community.
The booklet is free until the first 500 copies donated by NCRS are used. The cost is then $1 each plus pp for orders of 10 or less; 10 or more pp included. To order go online to catholicenquiry.org.nz/booklet/parish-resources/ or contact Colin MacLeod at email c.macleod@tci.ac.nz for more information.