Â鶹ÊÓƵ School is a school of the Uniting Church, and as such we celebrate our Methodist heritage alongside the breadth of tradition and culture of the Uniting Church in Australia. All students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School regularly attend Chapel Services and are invited to participate in leadership of liturgy. Junior School Our Junior School students regularly visit the School Chapel for times of prayer, stillness, singing and learning from the Christian Scriptures. Year 3 to Year 5 attend weekly, while Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 attend fortnightly. Once per year, families from Kindergarten to Year 5 meet in the Chapel in their House groups for a Family Service led by the Chaplains. Pre-Kindergarten families gather for a Rainbow Chapel Service on a Sunday in Term 4. Each Chapel Service is led by students in collaboration with the Chaplains. Senior School Students from Year 6 to Year 12 attend a weekly Chapel and Devotional Service in the School Chapel or a larger venue, such as Daphne Line Hall, Gymnasium or Potts Hall. Worship music is mostly drawn from the Together in Song hymn book and reflects the great diversity of traditional and modern music of the Uniting Church. We regularly incorporate contemporary and creative elements of worship into these services alongside the traditions and liturgies of the church. In addition, there are opportunities for students to participate in acts of service and experiences of stillness and mindfulness during scheduled times throughout the week. House Chapel Services House Services are held annually where students and their families meet in the Chapel on a Sunday for a House Chapel Service. Our students display leadership exploring important themes in planning, creativity and participation; as they follow the Uniting Church liturgical structure. These services are compulsory for all students, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Holy Communion Students from Year 3 to Year 12 participate in services of Holy Communion at the end of each term. While all students attend these services, in the spirit of the Uniting Church’s open table inclusive style students are invited to consult with their parents about whether they will receive this sacrament or instead use the time Communion elements is distributed as an opportunity for contemplation.
Fellowship Groups Students are invited to participate in a weekly lunchtime fellowship group, aimed to explore and grow their faith. In the Junior School, students meet for games, prayer and a bible study in a group called Jesus And Me (JAM). In the Middle and Senior Years, the student-led lunchtime group Jesus In School Time (JIST) is an opportunity for fun and faith development. In addition to weekly meetings, JIST leads Chapel Services and has an annual fellowship camp. Prayer Groups The Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Council invites the school community to gather every term for prayer for the school. Religious Education Religious Education is a compulsory subject that is studied weekly by students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 10. Religious Education is an optional subject for HSC students. Religious Education at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School encompasses the following areas of study: Christian Scriptures, Church history, tradition and liturgical practice Ethics World Religions Philosophy of Religion In the Junior School, the is used From Kindergarten to Year 1 as a method for students to learn about Christianity and the bible. Godly Play is a Montessori method of telling bible stories, developed by Jerome Berryman, using parables, sacred stories and liturgical lessons about religious traditions using simple materials. The program encourages a spirit of wondering and contemplating. In Year 2 to Year 6, students explore religion, ethics and faith from a variety of perspectives, with an emphasis on engaging with the School. In the Senior School, Religious Education is an academic subject that encourages a rigorous approach to learning. Students are encouraged to explore faith perspectives through a variety of lenses, with an emphasis on understanding and critical thinking.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Chapel The Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Chapel is a lovely welcoming place for individual quiet reflection and is also a place where the girls can gather at times when they need special support.
The beautiful stained glass windows are the commissioned work of former student Alison Brown (1978). Our Chaplains are here to extend pastoral care and support to members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ School community during times of celebration and to mark significant moments of loss and grief. A lovely welcoming place for quiet reflection. Weddings The Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Chapel is available for weddings to be celebrated in the tradition of the Uniting Church of Australia, for members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Community. The Chaplains are experienced at arranging creative and memorable ceremonies, with the beautiful stained glass windows highlighting the sanctity of these occasions. Baptisms Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Alumni regularly make contact with the school to arrange for the baptism of their children. Baptisms at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School take place during or immediately following a Sunday House service, attended by students and families of the school. The dates available for services of baptism are set for each year and are available from the Chaplains. Funerals The Chaplains are available to provide support for members of our community dealing with the sudden decline in health or death of a relative or close friend. This support can range from gentle conversations, hospital or home visitations, bereavement counselling for students, leading the funeral and the use of the Chapel for memorial services.