The study of Religious Education is mandatory in the Parramatta Diocese.

The Religious Education KLA actively supports the mission of Cerdon College, as initiated by the Marist Sisters. This mission is to be a presence of Mary in the world, sharing in the mission of Jesus Christ.

The Religious Education programs at Cerdon College are based on the Parramatta Diocesan Catholic Studies Curriculum for Years 7-12 and the Studies of Religion syllabus for Years 11 and 12.

The Catholic Studies Curriculum for Stages 4, 5 and 6 builds on prior learning and experience and enables the students to study the Catholic Faith and Tradition, expressed in the life and mission of the Church. The strands around which this course is organized are: God, Jesus, Scripture, Church, Sacraments, Christian Life, Prayer, Liturgical Cycle, Spirituality and Religion and Society. As well as focusing on these areas of study, this course develops a wide range of related skills such as – gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information about religion, independently and in teams: communicating information, ideas and issues in appropriate forms to different audiences and in different contexts; using appropriate terminology; naming and reflecting on life experience, and integrating this within responses to the Christian story and vision. The Catholic Studies Curriculum for Stages 5 and 6 is a Board Endorsed Course (BEC).

Students in Year 11 and 12 (Stage 6) may choose either the Board Endorsed Course known as Catholic Studies or the Board Developed Course known as Studies of Religion.        

The Year 7 Catholic Studies course encompasses the following units:

• Initiation and Belonging
• Biblical Literary Forms and Truth
• The Life and times of Jesus
• The Person of Jesus
• Religion in the world

The Year 8 Catholic Studies course encompasses the following units:

• People of the Covenant
• Easter Experiences
• Reconciliation
• The Church spreads the Good News
• Images of God
• Ways people pray

The Year 9  Catholic Studies Course (new course 2008) encompasses the following units:

• The New Testament
• Images of Jesus
• Mary and the Saints
• Eucharist
• Living Simply - Elective

The Year 10 component of the Catholic Studies course encompasses the following units:

• Death and New Life
• A Call to Unity
• Living Simply – Core
• Reverence for Life
• Justice and Peace

Catholic Studies

The Catholic Studies Course in Years 11 and 12 is a Board Endorsed Course.

The Year 11 component of the Catholic Studies Course encompasses the following units:

• Search for Meaning.
• Sects, Cults and Movements
• Jesus of History, Christ of Faith
• A Christian Vision of the World

The Year 12 component of the Catholic Studies Course encompasses the following units:

• Religion in Australia
• Spiritual Pathways
• Living Texts
• Christian Vocation, Work and Leisure

Studies Of Religion 1

The Studies of Religion syllabus acknowledges that there are many ways of studying religion. It investigates the significance of the role of religion in society and, in particular, within Australian society. It recognizes and appreciates the place and importance of Aboriginal belief systems and spiritualities in Australia. This syllabus enables students who live in a multifaith and multicultural society to progress from a broad understanding of religious traditions to specific studies within these traditions. The syllabus provides s focus on religious expression in Australia and, also, investigates religion’s place within the global community.

The SOR Year 11 units studied at Cerdon College are:

• Core unit – Nature of Religion and Beliefs
• Depth Study 1 – Judaism
• Depth Study 2 - Christianity

The SOR Year 12 units studies at Cerdon College are :

• Core unit – Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post -1945
• Depth Study 1 – Judaism (A significant person, Environmental Ethics, Marriage
• Depth Study 2 – Christianity (A significant person, Environmental Ethics, Marriage