Turnbull High School Religious Education and Chaplaincy
Educating for Eternity
As term got underway we have been privileged to welcome back our partners who enrich our RE curriculum. S2 have had talks as part of their study of the sacrament of marriage and the Caritas class welcomed Joseph from Aid to the Church in Need.
In preparation for the S1 welcome Mass, S1 pupils completed their induction with their S1 retreat. The retreat comprised of games, learning and prayer that helped the young people to reflect on our school Values and Virtues.
Our new Caritas class visited St Mary’s in the Calton for a commissioning Mass with the Archbishop. Miss Morrison, who is leading Caritas from this year, said that the young people represented the school in an exemplary fashion and we hope that this is a sign of great things to come from this year’s group.
Our annual S3 Vocations Day took place on the 25th of September. Our young people participated in discussion groups with clergy and a religious sister who have served the church in many different ways. From a young curate to a retired priest who served as a missionary in Africa, a musician and liturgist to one of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life, pupils entered into conversation about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to follow one’s vocation. 
A brand new documentary about our school oratory has been produced by pupils from our CREDO club. Over the last couple of years, pupils have interviewed current and former staff about the history and significance of what is our mini church.
The final production, edited by Keith in S6, explains the origin of the art work, the stained glass, the altar and the spiritual significance of the oratory as the center of prayer. At the center is the tabernacle, where Our Lord waits for us and dwells with us as we learn and grow each day. Well done to the young people involved in this project. It will make a significant impact on our community for years to come.
Congratulations to our first ever Higher RMPS class who achieved great success in their exams. 64% of the class exceeded their target grade and of those pupils, 75% of them did so by two bands or more! Overall, Turnbull High School ranked third out of the eight High Schools in East Dunbartonshire for Higher RMPS.
Our aspirational core RERC curriculum gives our young people to grow in spiritually and in their intellectual grasp of the faith. Higher RMPS is an additional opportunity for young people to deepen their learning and gain accreditation in a subject that is desirable to universities and a range of employers.
Now that the Higher is up and running, the RE department are introducing National 4 RMPS for all pupils. This will be achieved through our core RERC curriculum over S3 and S4. This will provide a progression of qualifications from S2-S6 that young people can achieve in recognition of the outstanding work that goes on in our core RERC courses.
It was the first day of May, the month of Mary and the feast of St Joseph the worker. What better day to make a pilgrimage? And what better day to learn about how we can become saints. A group of S1 made the journey to St Patrick’s Church in the Cowgate, Edinburgh to visit the national shrine of Venerable Margaret Sinclair.
Pupils enjoyed a presentation from the dedicated team of volunteers about this ordinary girl who is on the path to sainthood. Learning about the joys and sufferings of an ordinary life at the turn of the century, our young people gained a deeper appreciation of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus- not being boring and cut off, and not necessarily by receiving great revelations from God, but through the ordinary things of life, done with love for God and others.
Then pupils made a prayer walk around the church, pausing to ask questions about the many relics of the saints and works of art that have been brought there by the new Oratorian community. Deepening their understanding of the church building, the young people revisited many foundational beliefs and practices including why and how we genuflect, the real presence, baptism at the font, may crowning of the statue of Our Lady, veneration of the saints, intercession, the power of the Holy Spirit, the Litany of St Joseph and the Angelus. The pupils participated in a Mass that was reverent and beautifully celebrated with the priest addressing them in his homily on St Joseph and the holiness of offering our daily work to God, and finding Him in it.
After a picnic in the sun, we walked to Blackfriars Street where venerable Margaret used to live and on our return, the chairman of the canonization committee gave a talk on the process by which a person is declared a saint.
The young people were perhaps the most respectful, inquisitive and affable group that we have every taken on this trip. They were an absolute credit to the school and to their families. We hope that they were inspired to consider how they might invite God into their everyday life, to love Him in the Blessed Sacrament and to discover a life of prayer.
As part of our school almsgiving, the RE department hosted a sponsored silence during which BGE pupils had to keep shtum for a whole period!
Well done and thank you to all pupils and their families for raising an incredible £927. 95. This does not include the donations made to the foodbank. Well done to one of our S1 pupils who raised a very substantial sum.
The RE department would like to wish all of our pupils, parents and colleagues a joyful Easter! As the young people have been learning in class, the resurrection is the miracle of miracles- the central belief of Christianity because, if it is true, then Jesus really is the Son of God and he really has defeated sin and death. S1 have studied the account of the Holy Women in Mark’s gospel, S2 are studying Luke’s account and examining the various ’empty tomb theories’ and S3 are focusing on the road to Emmaus, covering the post resurrection appearances. So happy Easter! And remember that Easter continues for fifty days- longer than Lent!
It is with this hope of the resurrection that we heard the news of the death of Pope Francis. As the funeral Mass says, ‘life is changed, not ended’ and so we commend Francis’ soul to the mercy of God as his life finds it’s fulfillment. Our Friday prayers that week were led by Miss Morrison and the CREDO club who guided us through a service, praying for the Pope.
It has been a while since I have managed to get an update in the Turnbull Times or on our blog- it has been such a busy year so far! Here are just a few insights into the last few months at the Turnbull High School RE department!
Our amazing Caritas class raising funds and awareness for Aid to the Church in Need!
Our Caritas class leading the Rosary on our Patronal Feast Day.
S2 after their AGAP Rosary Drama workshop.
In other news, our first ever Higher RMPS class are doing really well and have just finished their assignment. Our S2 pupils are just completing their SQA Religion Beliefs and Values award on Jesus as the Son of God. Our successful Caritas pupils have been submitted for their award and everyone in the class has achieved a combination of the Caritas Award, two units of the SQA Religion Beliefs and Values at Level 6 and the Saltire Award!
Taking our donations of baby products to the Sisters of the Gospel of Life at the Cardinal Winning Pro-Life initiative who provide support to families who are struggling.
Our Advent Rorate Mass
One of our lovely S1 classes after receiving a presentation and the gift of a New Testament from ‘Good News For Everyone’ formerly, The Gideons.
Our S3 pupils participating in their NET retreat.
Our S3 pupils benefiting from a presentation on the 5K’s from one of their peers during our topic on Sikhism.
Our brand new outdoor stations of the cross were blessed and prayer for the first time at the start of Lent.
Some pupils praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament during a retreat.
Our S3 pupils meeting priests and religious as part of our S3 Vocations Conference
S5 studying the scriptures at their FireCloud Retreat
S2 pupils sending cards to Pope Francis while he is in hospital.
