SRE Curriculum of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Diocese of Australia and New Zealand is the six-year program intended for students of New South Wales primary public schools. MOCDANZ has authorised curriculum and the material that is to be used by SRE teachers.
This program is envisioned as a fundamental study of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It endeavors to cover the key aspects of our Orthodox faith.
The outline of the authorized curriculum is available as per the requirements of the Department of Education in New South Wales.
The list of topics together with the general aims and learning outcomes are published and available on the website.
Parents and caregivers are very welcome to view the lessons that their child is taught by consulting their local priest or view the details on the website.
The delivery of our curriculum is taught with sensitivity and in an age-appropriate manner. Our teachers are trained in the use of classroom technology such as interactive whiteboards and digital projectors. The SRE regular ongoing training includes classroom management strategies and implementation of the curriculum.
MOCDANZ curriculum is reviewed every 5 years to ensure age-appropriate content, sensitivity, and relevance. It can be more frequent, such as once a year.
To the MOCDANZ SRE teachers, the Diocese and it’s Advisory Committee regularly submit references to the required resources and the essential literature for the lecture.
AIMS AND GOALS
The aim of the curriculum is to develop students’ awareness, understanding and appreciation of Orthodoxy as a witness in the Scriptures and in the teaching of the Church, so that they may wish and participate as active members of the Church and its Sacraments.
There are several other religious and social aims: to encourage a sacramental life in children, to foster the value of a religious outlook on life; to recognise that life is a great gift; to promote the happiness of the child; to create an attitude of religious tolerance in the school; to accept everyone of all faiths; to reinforce the human right to religion, and to establish religiousness as an aspect of positive citizenship.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The desired outcome is primarily for students to love learning and to actively participate in classes. Consequently, they will be expected to learn the lessons, gain knowledge of their faith, and participate in Church life.
The program is descriptive, multiple in content, and of timeless importance. The topics of each unit are applicable to all years and ages.
Basically, the curriculum is organized so that throughout the year, children can learn about God – the Holy Trinity, which is revealed in the world and leads people to salvation through the Bible stories of the Old and New Testaments.
Students in the years 1 – 3 will go through a basic program introducing the basics of the Orthodox faith. It is intended for students in these three years to learn to make the sign of the cross, to recite the Lord’s Prayer, to learn the meaning of basic concepts and concepts such as Lord – Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ the Savior, the Church, the Liturgy, The Kingdom of Heaven and Heaven, Icons, etc.
Lessons each week will be based on a similar topic or similar outcomes and will be adapted and conveyed depending on age. In practice, this means that the teacher will describe each lesson in a few fundamental sentences and then concentrate on one of the most important aspects to be remembered through practice and application. For example, making the sign of the cross, reciting prayers, singing church songs, watching videos relevant to the topic of the lesson, etc.
Students in years 4 – 6 will have the experience and opportunity to learn more structured learning. They will teach you about Scripture, how it is structured, and how to use it every day. In principle, the Teacher will explain the lesson in more detail, giving historical and chronological descriptions. It will also explain the spiritual significance and interpretation of the text in accordance with the Orthodox tradition. In addition, children will be introduced in parallel to the rich history of the Church through historical times to the present day, as well as to the lives of certain saints as witnesses to the faith and life in Christ.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
The main feature of the Program is that it will contain and develop the following headings:
- New Testament (includes the life of Christ, parables, and events in the New Testament)
- Church (includes the history of the church)
- Worship (includes the Divine Liturgy, hymns and prayers)
- Orthodox Feasts
- Old Testament
- Saints
- Behavior as members of the Church and the wider social community
Overview of the six-year program:
YEAR 1 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
YEAR 2 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
YEAR 3 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
YEAR 4 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
YEAR 5 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
YEAR 6 – CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
To request further information, contact the SRE Co-ordinator at sre_coordinator@mocdanzorgau.stage.site
