Welcome to the Religious Education Department
The academic year for the R.E. Department is always very busy with lots of activities taken place. We begin the year by welcoming the new year 7 pupils and reflecting upon the GCSE results.
Year 7
We start the year with our annual Year 7 Mass of Welcome, which is a fantastic start to the year. Many pupils help prepare this liturgy and it is a wonderful celebration for our new recruits. The pupils are very talented with many volunteers coming forward to help with the year group masses that follow. Pupils are always keen to read, to sing, to act and to generally help with presenting a meaningful celebration. This enthusiasm is mirrored in their help with year assemblies. During Advent the pupils respond excellently to our annual hamper campaign and help deliver the hampers to the local community. The Tea Dance before Christmas is very special for our elderly visitors and the year 7 fully contribute to their enjoyment. During Lent the year 7 respond superbly to what is on offer. They all fully participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and all the events that happen during this week. They manage to raise lots of money during Charity Week with a variety of creative fund-raising events. Their participation on the Bridge Walk is a fantastic experience. The Y 7 also help by collecting Easter eggs and some help in distributing them to the residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor home in the Oval.
The year ends with a half day retreat at the Little Sisters of the Poor to reflect on their first year here at Sacred Heart. Their Academic Progress produces some outstanding work and this is the platform for greater things during the following years.
Year 8
In Year 8 in RE pupils develop their understanding of their faith and the Church. We bring the whole Year group on Retreat to Kintbury. Two overnight retreats are organized so that the whole Year group will have an experience of being away on retreat. The Year 8 pupils continue to help with the school liturgies and their creativity has helped bring alive the Year Group Mass and assemblies.
Year 9
In year 9 pupils begin their GCSE RE course. During this year they study St. Mark's Gospel and next year will see the completion of their GCSE. It is an important year for Year nine and a year of many changes. They also focus on their moral and spiritual development with time given to their 'Education in Human Love'.
Year 10
In Year 10 the pupils work towards their final examinations in the Summer Term. We all look forward to some excellent results in August. During the year they have the opportunity to go on retreat. In the summer term we take12 pupils to Kintbury. This is a fantastic experience and very worthwhile.
During the year we have various visits from outside speakers and theatre companies. We have regular visits from former 'Gangster' and now Youth Evangelist John Pridmore. His life story and conversion experience are an inspiration to us all.
