As a Roman Catholic school our religious beliefs permeate all aspects of our curriculum and are the foundation for our positive, Christian ethos.  Religious instruction and observance are an important and vital part in the education of Roman Catholic pupils. Whole school masses are celebrated regularly in our local parish of St Mary’s and as a parish community we celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Primary 3), Holy Eucharist (Primary 4) and Confirmation (Primary 6 or 7).

Since the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence, our Religious Education programme is guided by the Document “This is our Faith”.  The key sources on which it is based are Sacred scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the General Directory for Catechesis.

At every stage our aim is:

• To help children become aware of their experience of living on the world with others (Experiential)
• To reveal to children some aspects of God’s plan for our salvation (Doctrinal)
• To help them respond to God’s offer of salvation in the sacraments and to respond to it (Sacramental)
• To help them respond to God’s love in their own lives (Moral)
• To help them respond to God in prayer

The content is conveyed through the use of themes based on the life experiences of children.  We also use “God’s Loving Plan” to guide us in the teaching of sexual, moral and relationships education.

Our Primary 6 and 7 pupils can take part in the Pope Francis Faith Award Scheme. It invites them to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to see how they can bear fruit in their homes, schools and parishes. It is directly connected to what our pupils learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Father McShane is our chaplain and frequently visits the school, instructing the children and giving advice and help to the teachers.

Rights of Parents / Carers

Scottish Government Ministers consider that religious observance complements religious education and is an important contribution to pupils’ development. It should also have a role in promoting the ethos of a school by bringing pupils together and creating a sense of community.

There is a statutory provision for parents to withdraw children from participation in religious observance. This right of parents’ wishes will be respected. Where a child is withdrawn from religious observance, schools will make suitable arrangements for the child to participate in a worthwhile alternative activity. However, in Catholic schools parents should consider that in choosing a denominational school for their child’s education, they choose to opt in to the school’s ethos that is imbued with religious faith. It is therefore more difficult to extricate pupils from all experiences which are influenced by the school’s faith character.

In a letter of guidance issued by the Scottish Government in February 2011, it is acknowledged that Catholic schools take a distinctive approach to the provision of Religious Observance:

• • Scottish Government Ministers welcome the tradition that, in Roman Catholic denominational schools, Catholic Liturgy will largely shape the nature and frequency of religious observance activities in the classroom and in the wider school community.  So, at times, children and young people will be invited to participate in, and sometimes to lead, prayer and reflection in classrooms and at assemblies.  At other times, to honour particular occasions or feast, chaplains will lead school communities in the celebration of Mass and other forms of liturgical celebration.

Equalities

Integral to this guidance is the principle of mutual respect.  The diversity of belief and tradition provides an ideal context in which pupils can learn about, and so learn from, what is important in the lives of themselves and others.  South Lanarkshire’s guidance recognises and welcomes diversity and promotes respectful understanding.