Religious Education

Religious Education plays a key role in helping students to become aware of their own infinite worth, the spiritual dimension of life, the importance of their contribution to the world in which they live, the value of critical thinking and the role of religion as a force of good in life and society.

At De La Salle with our Religious Education programme our main goal is to assist our students to become the best they can be on their journey through life.

Pupils are given the opportunity to gain cultural understanding and to see faith and belief as interconnected with society both locally and globally. Pupils acquire a deep appreciation of the diverse beliefs, values and traditions which contribute to the communities and cultures in which we live.

At Junior Cycle

This syllabus provides students with a framework for understanding the variety of religious traditions in Ireland and elsewhere. It offers opportunities to develop an informed and critical understanding of the Christian tradition and seeks to develop in students the skills needed to engage in meaningful dialogue with those of other, or of no, religious traditions. It covers teaching and learning for the first, second and third years in post-primary school.

It is assessed by examination at the end of third year at Ordinary and Higher Levels. There are two assessment components – journal work (20%) and a terminal written examination (80%).

Subject Aims

To foster an awareness that the human search for meaning is common to all peoples, of all ages and at all times.
To explore how this search for meaning has found, and continues to find, expression in religion.
To identify how understandings of God, religious traditions, and in particular the Christian tradition, have contributed to the culture in which we live, and continue to have an impact on personal life-style, inter-personal relationships and relationships between individuals and their communities and contexts.
To appreciate the richness of religious traditions and to acknowledge the non-religious interpretation of life.
To contribute to the spiritual and moral development of the student.

Resources Used

Main resource used by students and teachers is a textbook and portfolio called ‘Inspire’ written by Michael Purcell & Ailís Travers.
Youtube, Notes, Studyclix and a variety of other resources are used to engage and aid students with their learning.