Education Commons^™

The Perceptions Of Recently Assigned Secondary Religious Education Teachers, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

This article focuses on survey responses from newly appointed secondary Religious Education teachers from the first phase of a longitudinal study. The study was conducted in Catholic schools in three dioceses of Western Australia over two school years, from 1998 to 1999. The study focused on the teachers’ perceptions of implementing the Perth Archdiocesan Religious Education Units of Work. The article outlines briefly the demographic and professional backgrounds of recently appointed RE (RARE) teachers. Next, it reports upon how these teachers perceived their use of the instructional resources and teaching approach in the RE Units. The article then describes what …

Developing A Model For Teacher Formation In Religious Education, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

The intent of this paper is to demonstrate how the development of research-based modelling can assist teachers and decision-makers in making improvements to the processes of curriculum implementation. The paper presents a model of teacher formation based upon findings from a two-year study on the responses of recently assigned Religious Education (RARE) teachers in Catholic secondary schools within Western Australia. Data from the study provided evidence that these teachers experienced deepening layers of personal and professional growth as they implemented a newly drafted RE Curriculum. The model provides a framework that caters for the desire of RARE teachers to be …

Upper Secondary School Religion And Life Course: Perceptions Of The Inaugural Cohort, Richard G. Berlach, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

In 2009, the course Religion and Life was made available to upper secondary students completing the Western Australian Certificate of Education. Across the State, nineteen Catholic schools offered the Stage Three version of this course, with the first cohort of students graduating in 2010. The purpose of this paper is to capture the perceptions of this inaugural cohort, both teachers and students, to determine whether the stated course outcomes had been achieved. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for analysis. Findings indicated that even though the matter of resourcing requires further attention, overall, stakeholders were satisfied that the course …

Spiritual And Religious Capabilities For Catholic Schools, Christine Mcgunnigle, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

The Australian Curriculum articulates the role of general capabilities across all learning areas in the schooling years. The function of these general capabilities is to ensure that students have the dispositions and skills that provide for deep learning and the ability to function successfully in the 21^st Century. Within Catholic schools, these same general capabilities apply. Catholic schools, in recognising the mission of the Church, are however, called to ensure that not only are students able to participate in the 21^st Century context, but that they are able to evangelise through the integration of faith, life and culture. …

The Role Of Experiential Content Knowledge In The Formation Of Beginning Re Teachers, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

This article discusses the role of experiential content knowledge as an essential component to the formation of beginning RE teachers. The article initially outlines the meaning and parameters of experiential content knowledge and its relationship to the teaching of Religious Education in Catholic schools. An exploration of how this experiential content knowledge may be recognised is described with reference to the perceptions of a purposive sample of beginning RE teachers in Catholic secondary schools in Western Australia. The article then discusses the links between experiential content knowledge and developing a sense of vocation towards teaching Religious Education.

Student Ministry: Youth ‘Step Up’ To Lead And Serve, Chris Hackett, Shane D. Lavery

Chris Hackett

This article is about student leadership and service in Catholic secondary schools. Initially the concept of leadership through service is explored with particular reference to the educational setting. The concept of “student ministry” is then considered in the light of this leadership and service. The article subsequently reports on an exploratory research study that focused on the experiences and reflections of principals and selected staff from three Catholic secondary schools involved in student ministry. Their experiences and reflections indicate that student ministry has the capacity to offer all students the chance to develop their leadership potential through acts of service, …

Student Ministry: Preparing Young People As Leaders For The 21st Century, Chris Hackett, Shane D. Lavery

Chris Hackett

Ministry with young people has never been more important. Ever-increasing local, national and global concerns demand that schools must do more than prepare young people as responsible citizens. They must prepare young people as emerging leaders with a civic conscience who proactively seek solutions to issues such as increased poverty, the plight of refugees, terrorism, climate change, and corporate greed. This article is about student ministry. Student ministry, as defined in this article, specifically aims to build leadership capacity in school students. In particular, the article attempts to highlight the distinctiveness of student ministry and those ways it promotes and …

Formation Of Pre-Service Teachers For Religious Education Through Experiential Learning: The Retreat Leaders Training Program, Chris Hackett, Shane D. Lavery

Chris Hackett

This article reports on the formation of pre-service teachers for religious education through an experiential learning program called the Retreat Leaders Training Program (RLTP). First, the article examines the need for formation for pre-service RE teachers, especially as the formation relates to the development of three forms of teacher knowledge: content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and experiential content knowledge. Second, the article reviews the literature on the role of experiential learning in professional formation and the contribution live-in retreats may make in this formation. Third, the article presents the Retreat Leaders Training Program as an example of the formative influence …

Christian Service Learning In Catholic Schools, Shane D. Lavery, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

This article sets out a rationale for implementing Christian service-learning in Catholic schools. The article initially explores Jesus' Gospel call to serve. A brief summary of Catholic social doctrine is then presented and the concept of service-learning is discussed.

Four categories of community outreach by Catholic schools are outline, these being community service, Christian service, service-learning within a Christian context, and faith-focused Christian service-learning. Finally, various implications for promoting Christian service-learning in Catholic schools are considered in the light of the principles of charity and service as outlined in the encyclical letter Deus Caritas Est.

Aspire: Formation Of Pre-Service Teachers Through Leadership, Community Engagement And Retreat Training, Chris Hackett, Shane Lavery

Chris Hackett

This article explores the experiences of pre-service teachers who are involved in a program promoting leadership, community engagement and retreat training. It initially presents a review of the literature on the significant links between teacher commitment and quality teaching. It then describes how four significant dispositions: care, leadership, service and reflective practice, are embedded in a program entitled ‘ASPIRE’ at The University of Notre Dame Australia. The program is designed to assist pre-service teachers in recognising and developing their sense of teaching vocation. An outline of the research methodology is provided. Specifically, the research is based on qualitative data derived …

What Is The Best And Most Special About Teaching Religious Education?, Chris B. Hackett

Chris Hackett

If you have taught Religious Education in a Catholic secondary school, then you may have sat down at the end of the class or the school day and just wondered why you bothered. Before reading this article further, give yourself a few moments to reflect on this question:

“What for you is the best and most special about teaching Religious Education?”

How did you answer the question? Was your response negative or positive? Did you reach for the instant cynical remark, “When I finished teaching the class!” Or, did you imagine yourself taking great pride in accomplishing deeper understandings among …