All students, from Foundation to Year Six, participate in formal Religious Education classes through which they come to know the scriptures, especially the Gospels, and learn about the traditions, history and sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Whilst faith is a gift from God, we aim to nurture the children’s faith journey by assisting them to develop a relationship with God through which they come to know Him and His teachings. It is our aim to provide learning experiences for the children which enable them to respond to the world in the light of the Gospels so that their actions, decisions and relationships draw deeply on the example of Jesus Christ. Our hope is that throughout their lives they preach the gospel always through their actions in relationship with others.

During their primary school years, the children of Our Lady of the Nativity School receive three sacraments:

• The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
• The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
• The Sacrament of Confirmation.

The sacraments of Penance and Eucharist are received in Year 3 and the Sacrament of Confirmation is received in Year Six. Throughout their primary schooling, however, all children are brought to a deeper understanding of the sacramental life of the church.

Prayer and liturgy are important elements of the children’s faith development as they provide opportunities for the children to deepen their relationship with God and experience being part of a faith community. Each day begins and ends with class prayer and the children are encouraged to contribute their own prayers of petition or thanksgiving at these times. The focus of our Assemblies is communal prayer and classes take turns to prepare and lead the community in a short prayer service that is an expression of their current RE unit, Church season or feast day, or in response to a current issue that requires people of faith to respond or stand in solidarity with those in need.

Participation in sacramental liturgy (Mass) is also an important element of the children’s education in faith. Each Friday a year level prepares, and participates in, the regular parish mass, joining with members of our parish community to celebrate the Eucharist. On major feasts and special days, the whole school attends mass, again with parishioners, to celebrate, remember, pray and give thanks.

Student Liturgy leaders play an important role in the preparation of prayer services and masses and highlighting significant seasons, feasts or social justice actions and causes.

As a school community we are committed to the promotion of the principles of Catholic Social Justice. St Francis of Assisi lived a life true to the Gospels and as such the plight of the poor, the outcast and those in need of peace in their lives were of prime importance to him.

In living out Franciscan charism we actively support the following organisations:

• Our local St Vincent de Paul Society through food donation and a Christmas gift collection.
• Caritas Australia.
• The work of the Franciscan community of St Peter and Paul Parish, South Melbourne.
• Franciscan communities abroad who work with the poor.

Throughout the year our children are encouraged to take action to help those less fortunate. This may involve ‘raising awareness’ campaigns, activities to raise money, action linked to their Inquiry units (one group of students made cakes for distribution at the Franciscan food van). A highlight of our social justice commitment is the annual student-run social justice fair where all students contribute…..