Updates

Life to the Full | Consent and Respectful Relationships Education (CRRE) Support Resources

The Life to the Full framework remains a strategic priority of our Diocese, to assist schools in creating an environment that builds and fosters respectful relationships, within a living Catholic faith. Our mission is achieved through our core work of explicit education in faith, learning, and wellbeing, alongside a focus on building staff confidence and formation.

As previously communicated, as part of the updated K–10 PDHPE syllabus, mandated from 2027, consent and respectful relationships education (CRRE) is now a core part of the learning entitlements. 

Our Life to the Full team is pleased to announce a suite of curriculum support materials that will soon be made available (for all Catholic schools in NSW). The support materials are designed to help classroom teachers deliver high quality, age appropriate, evidence-based CRRE content, aligned to the NSW curriculum.The materials promote the beauty of Catholic social teaching and allow for delivery of content through a Catholic lens.

The resources, at no cost to schools, are funded under the 2024–2028 CRRE Federation Funding Agreement (FFA) and include: 

• Choicez Media – Live Life to the Full
• Things are Changing (puberty resource)
• The Men We Need 

This announcement follows an extensive consultation process across NSW Catholic Education, led by Catholic Schools NSW. Importantly, the resources are endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Our Life to the Full team, along with Bishop Brian Mascord, supports the use of these resources in our schools. 

Critically, the adoption of these resources are considered complementary to existing approaches, not intended to replace or negate the value-add of the teacher and good pedagogical practice. These resources should be used to encourage conversations and open dialogue in class, that assists students to navigate life decisions towards flourishing and support discernment and moral decision making (e.g, using our Model For Growth tool). We acknowledge and respect the professional knowledge and expertise of our teaching staff when engaging with this material.

Timeframe for release is expected to be in early Term 4, 2025, and the release will be accompanied by professional learning support and formation material for teachers and parents. These resources may be used in cross-curriculum planning in other Key Learning Areas, as well as for pastoral care and wellbeing activities.

Our philosophy remains that all endeavours of Catholic system schooling in the Diocese of Wollongong are inspired by the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Through the witness of his every word and action, Jesus provided a radical model for how we are to be in the world. His life and teachings espoused the depth of catholicity - universal acceptance of all people - in the richness of their diversity, but united by their humanity made in the image of God (imago dei).

Questions can be directed to our CEDoW Life to the Full team at respectfulrelationships@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

Fundraising for Catholic Mission Month

Attention: Principals, Religious Education Coordinators, and Leaders of Mission

This year, during the Mission Month of October, schools and parishes are asked to raise money to support families in rural Zambia who are grappling with malnutrition and food insecurity. Please read more about Catholic Mission’s Socktober fundraising initiative for schools here.

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be promoted in our diocese during September.

To find out more or make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.dow.org.au/giving, scan the QR code above, or call (02) 4222 2400 to make a donation over the phone.

“Our faith calls us to help one another through prayer and action. Offering dignified support and care for our retired clergy, who have always cared for us; and the sound and holistic formation of our Seminarians, our future priests, are my responsibilities as your Bishop. I seek your prayers and practical support to help me ensure that I can do this. Your donation to this appeal is very much appreciated.” — Bishop Brian Mascord