Bishop John Letter – Good Shepherd Sunday
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Pupils in S1-S3 will follow the “This is Our Faith” syllabus developed as part of Curriculum for Excellence for R.E. within Catholic schools.
As part of our continued commitment to the whole pupil, we offer all pupils the opportunity to participate in an annual retreat programme.
The retreat is designed as a day away from the usual timetable of the school, allowing pupils to work together, reflect together, share together and pray together.
The S1 retreat focuses on the life of Jesus through the mysteries of the rosary. The theme of the S2 retreat is ‘Gifts and Talents’, focussing on the important curriculum choices they will be making and highlighting that the pupils are equipped to cope with these important decisions with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit which they received at Confirmation.
Pupils in S4-S6 follow the newly developed “This is Our Faith” for the senior phase. S4 pupils reflect on issues of belief, the mystery of evil and suffering, religion and science and biblical imagery.
The school chaplain, will continue a programme of spiritual development and awareness with S3 pupils, offering them the opportunity to experience a variety of forms of prayer and worship in small groups in our school oratory. S3 and S4 pupils are also given the opportunity to participate in a day retreat which incorporates aspects of citizenship and global responsibility.
In S5 pupils focus firstly on Morality and Moral issues, and then “Via Veritas Vita”, a programme developed to consider issues relating to the right to life. The S5 course is complemented by our annual S5 conference. On this day of talks, workshops, discussion and prayer, we aim to create an environment where pupils have the possibility to experience the Church and their role within it.
S6 follow a range of topics that aim to lead pupils to reflect critically on society’s values and offers them the opportunity to consider Jesus’ command of love and his vision of the Church and again pupils are challenged to consider their place within the church and the world. The S6 course is coupled with a commitment to the Spiritual dimension of our lives with the annual S6 overnight retreat.
Pupils also participate in the S.C.I.A.F. 24 hour fast to raise awareness and money for Southern World issues. The role of the S6 students in generating the ethos of the school is encouraged through the S6 participation, as group leaders, during the S1 retreat programme and their contribution to the organisation of charity events.
Caritas Awards – The Caritas Awards were introduced in 2011 by the Bishop’s Conference of Scotland to continue the legacy of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, visit to Scotland in September 2010. The programme encourages students to become more actively involved in the spiritual and faith life of their school and parish and allows them opportunities to develop as their leadership skills by working with younger students in leading a range of activities including:
NDHS Pro-Life Cell, Supporting charitable organisations e.g. Mary’s Meals, Leading prayers at year group assemblies.
Each year S6 pupils take part in the school pilgrimage to Rome where they have the opportunity to experience the “Living Faith” in the “Eternal City”.
