It is hard to believe that the Year 12 students are in the midst of their VCE examinations and we are also only three weeks away from the end of year examinations for Year 9 to Year 11 students.

All Year 9 to Year 11 students will undertake a Religious Education examination during the examination period. For Year 11 students, this is their first Religious Education examination of the year, as the course is the single unit study completed across the year for Unit 2, Religion and Society. The Religion and Society course in Year 11 is such an interesting study. Students develop an understanding of ethics, and also how to apply ethical methods of decision-making to their own lives. Also important to this study is developing an understanding of different religious perspectives that can inform decisions. In an ever-changing and increasingly confusing world, being able to look at their own moral compasses and be the change they want to see in others can only be a positive moving forward.

Year 10 students will be examined on the nature and purpose of religion as well as aspects of religion. In an increasingly secular world, such understandings are both valuable and necessary. In Year 9, the Reformation is one of the focus areas, which is a good way of seeing how change sometimes must be made and how ‘the power of people’ can influence religious institutions – just as in real life. Following this with social justice again reinforces the journeys that the students are undertaking.

As we look forward to the final weeks of the current school year, we also consider the exciting opportunities that 2025 will present in the Religious Education space. At both Year 9 and Year 10, Kilbreda students will experience new curriculum opportunities. In Year 10, students will, for the first time, undertake a Unit of VCE study, looking at either Religion and Society or Texts and Traditions Unit 1. At Year 9, students have been given options around areas they would like to study, offering further engagement in the Religious Education space.

As our students head towards the examinations, we encourage them to engage in their learnings through the year.

Jane Watkins

Learning Leader: Religious Education