New resources launched in Mullingar to support faith and RSE in schools
Two new educational resources designed to support Catholic post-primary schools in teaching Religious Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) have been launched in Mullingar.
The new school year began with the launch of the resources during a two-day event held in the town on September 3 and 4.
The event marked a new phase for Religious Education and RSE in Catholic post-primary schools across the island of Ireland, with the launch of a new Curriculum Framework for Senior Religious Education and the Living Love Senior Programme, a new resource for RSE in senior-cycle classrooms.
Both programmes were commissioned by the Irish Bishops’ Conference and developed over an extensive period, with teachers from across the country involved in consultation and development.
Hazel Mc Wey, Secretary to the Council for Education and Publications and Project Manager with the Irish Bishops’ Conference, said the Mullingar event represented a new approach to supporting schools with the introduction of resources developed by the Conference.
“At this event we have gathered those who engage with our Catholic schools directly to support them in having these resources come alive in our schools,” she said.
The new Religious Education framework is intended to provide a more structured approach to RE during the senior years of post-primary education.
It aims to give students an opportunity to explore questions of faith, meaning and purpose at an important stage of their lives as they move towards adulthood and prepare for life beyond school.
Meanwhile, the Living Love Senior Programme has been developed to assist teachers in delivering RSE in an increasingly diverse educational environment.
The programme addresses relationships, sexuality and personal development while seeking to respect differing beliefs, life choices and sexual identities within the Catholic ethos of schools.
The Mullingar event brought together patrons, Trust Body representatives and post-primary Diocesan Advisors involved in supporting Catholic schools across Ireland.