Religious Education

John Therry is first and foremost a Catholic college where education in the faith is given a privileged place. We proudly place the first proclamation at the forefront of our daily activities.

“Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you”

We strive to build an environment that nurtures and strengthens our students as they are transformed into better and more compassionate people. Religious Education has an integral place in this overall goal and is central to the College's broader curriculum. Education in faith includes communicating Catholic doctrine, engendering a sense of the sacred, building a Christian community and inviting young people to care with the heart of Jesus Christ.

In striving to meet these goals the college offers:

  • A Religious Education curriculum in Years 7-10 that is both academically rigorous and innovative, bringing into dialogue faith and life
  • A course in Studies of Religion or Studies in Catholic Thought in Years 11 and 12.
  • Opportunities for the celebration of the sacraments of the Eucharist.
  • Catholic Schools Youth Mission (CSYMA) Faith Formation program for students in years 9-10.
  • Faith and Wellbeing Days for Years 7-12.
  • Residential Retreat experiences for Year 12.
  • Year 10/11 Youth Mission Team.
  • A host of creative and prayerful liturgies that help students further understand and celebrate their faith
  • Outreach to the community through immersion experiences in Vanuatu.
  • Commitment to supporting our local St Vincent de Paul Societies initiatives throughout the year.

In preparing students for the Church of the future, all students are encouraged to embrace opportunities to be leaders in prayer and community service activities. Together with the staff, they build up an ethos and a way of acting that is characterised by the family spirit given to us by our Founder, St Marcellin Champagnat. This spirit values and respects each student as a unique individual, but also encourages them to find their true self in the community of the College and in the wider community of the Church, through openness and sharing.

As a Catholic College we celebrate major feasts of the liturgical year. As a Catholic College in the Marist tradition we particularly celebrate St Marcellin's Feast Day (6 June) and other significant Church events. Such celebrations may occur within the class or year group, as a House, or as a whole College.