AN EDUCATION CENTRED ON MARIST EDUCATION POLICY

Cerdon College is a Marist School which aims to lead its students to an awareness of what it means to be a Christian in the tradition of the Catholic community. The religious teaching and liturgical life of the school form the underpinning structure of the school curriculum.

“I came that they may have life.” (John 10.10)

By giving life to her Son, Mary associated herself with Christ’s mission which is continued by the Church. As we are committed to Christ with Mary, we carry on this mission in our own time. Education, which is part of that mission, has as its basis collaboration with God in the recreation of the mind and heart of the young.

A Marist Education is therefore essentially personal and is directed towards the good of each individual. It is ‘child-centred’ and is based on a deep concern for each of our students, not in isolation but in the total context of their growth to maturity, providing as far as possible the best possible conditions for their self-affirmation within an environment characterised by a family atmosphere and the Spirit of Mary.

Unless parents fully support our Educational Policy it would be most unwise for them to choose this Marist Catholic School for their daughter. For as the Vatican Document ‘The Catholic School ’ reminds us:

“It is obvious that in such a demanding educational policy all participants must be committed to it freely. It cannot be imposed, but is offered as a possibility, as good news, and as such can be refused. However, in order to bring it into being and to maintain it, the School must be able to count on the unity of purpose and conviction of all its members.”

The school follows the 'Sharing Our Story' program of the Parramatta Diocese and completes all units of work outlined in it. The Religious Education program is the core of the school's curriculum.

Students in Years 11 and 12 have the option of studying Catholic Religious Studies or the Board of Studies developed Studies of Religion course. Results in the Studies of Religion course have been very strong in recent years.

The Marist Charism is integrated into all RE teaching programs. This is achieved in the following:

Marist Charism                                                                          

Presence of Mary	To Think, Judge, Feel and Act as Mary
	Prayer - Mary's Pondering Heart
	Openness to the action and will of God, like Mary of the Annunication
	In the world, but alert to opportunities for God's action (Cana)
	Concern for justice - personal, community and global (Magnificat)
Family Spirit	Respect for each other
	Building relationships/community
	Sense of belonging
	Non-judgemental attitude
	Welcoming cultural diversity
	Willingness to do the unpopular tasks
	Hospitality
Compassion	Particular concern for the powerless and those on the margin
	Sensitivity and gentleness
	Generosity of Spirit, big-hearted
	Forgiving
Simplicity	Transparency and genuineness in relationships
	Down-to-earth
	No to Greed, Power and Prestige
	Willingness to work hard without fuss

 

Religious education is not confined to Religious Education classes. Homeroom classes lead the school in prayer on assembly, and values education as an integral feature of all KLA programs.