My Vision for Christian Studies

Sarah Nash
Christian Studies is a key learning area taught in all Lutheran schools.
Todays Lutheran schools are diverse in terms of faith and culture, so as a
result the teaching of Christian Studies has changed from its traditional roots.
When teaching Christian Studies teachers need to ensure inclusivity of all
students backgrounds and experiences and plan thoughtfully to encourage
maximum engagement. Students are encouraged to inquire into and critically
examine Christian beliefs and then synthesise their understandings into
creative responses and action.
Christian Studies explores different religious perspectives and world views
whilst also teaching explicitly about Lutheran faith. Christian Studies is a key
learning area which is documented in the Christian Studies Framework.
Through Christian Studies students are provided with opportunities for faith
responses and commitment to Christ, but this is not an expected or assessed
part of the curriculum. Christian Education is integrated into the whole life of
the school through activities such as worship, service and fellowship. It forms
the basis for decision making by the whole community and provides an
anchor for students to make choices by. Christian Education is lived and alive
in schools through worship, service programs, behaviour management and
school wellbeing programs.
Establishing and maintaining a connected relationship between students and
the teacher is what I believe is at the heart of quality education. Genuine
relationships between people are based on trust, respect and explicit valuing
of the others attributes. Respecting where students are on their faith journeys
is essential when teaching Christian Studies. I work with students to develop
trust and mutual respect as only then can quality learning be promoted and
achieved. My aim is for all students to place Christian Studies in their Quality
Worlds and be lifelong learners.
Christian Studies is more than attending lessons. It is about developing the
complete human person who has global understanding and is internationally
tolerant of different cultures and religions. Through presenting students with a
balanced and open minded Christian Studies curriculum, I work towards the
development of a rounded person who can make a difference. Everyone is at
a different stage of his or her faith journey, and as such, my teaching is
differentiated to cater for individual needs.

Sarah Nash Immanuel Primary School Draft Vision for Christian Studies 14/10/2015

My Vision for Christian Studies

Sarah Nash
As most of the occupations current students will be working in have not yet
been invented, the role of the teacher has changed dramatically and will
continue to evolve. It has moved from the traditional role of expert to; firstly
an agent for facilitation of existing student understanding; secondly a guide in
terms of direction of new learning and finally a provider of appropriate
resources for that learning. Traditional teacher directed teaching has been
replaced with inquiry learning. As an effective inquiry teacher, I emphasise the
importance of involving students in the process of constructing and
negotiating their learning, whilst explicitly teaching them knowledge and skills.
Students are taken on a learning journey through; becoming excited about a
big idea; exploring what they know and want to find out; being front-loaded
with relevant knowledge and skills; and finally undertaking personal
investigations and taking action. I motivate students to inquire using a range
of learning styles ranging from independent to dependent, impulsive to
reflective, cautious to adventurous, individual to group; thus catering for
various learning styles. Through this an appreciation of self and others is
developed, encouraging students to value diversity, difference and
collaboration with group members.
As a Christian Studies educator I hope I can do more than just lip service to
Christian Studies. I hope to model Christian Living in all aspects of my
working and personal life. I aim to draw on grace as I go about my daily life
and to be known to my peers, students and parents as a person who follows
Jesus example. My Equip journey has not only given me an opportunity to
better understand how to teach Christian Studies, but it also gave me time to
reflect on theological understandings. I was able to have time to reflect on
what I think and do and really make connections about how best to present
ideas and knowledge to todays students.

Sarah Nash Immanuel Primary School Draft Vision for Christian Studies 14/10/2015