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The Good Shepherd
Catholic Primary School
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me”. John 10:14"
Branch 1 Creation & Covenant
In this unit of study, Year 3 revisited the first Creation story from Genesis, exploring the poetic language used to describe how the world was formed. Pupils encountered the belief that human beings are made "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27) and discussed what this might mean. They made connections between the first Creation story, the belief in the equality of all people, and the Catholic Social Teaching principle of human dignity. Pupils also explored stewardship, linking Genesis 1:26-31 with actions people can take today, as outlined in Pope Francis' Laudato Si (LS 88).
Through the study of psalms and prayers praising Creation, students reflected on how human beings are called to have a loving relationship with God, each other, and the world, as Pope Francis teaches in Laudato Si (LS 66). The unit encouraged pupils to imagine how caring for the world could lead to positive change and to think critically about treating all people equally. They also explored artistic expressions of Creation, such as St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation, and spent time reflecting on the blessings of Creation in their own lives.
The Catholic Social Teaching focus was on Stewardship, with a particular emphasis on the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Pupils explored how the care for the environment, particularly the Amazon, rainforest in Brazil. Pupils explored how the care for the environment, particularly the Amazon, reflects the principles of stewardship and the importance of preserving God’s creation.
Creation Poems
Year 3 revisited the Creation story from Genesis, deepening their understanding of its themes and poetic language. They worked in small groups to create their own poems retelling the story of Creation, focusing on the imagery found in the original text. Each group collaborated to capture the essence and beauty of Creation, reflecting on how the world was formed from nothing and how God's words brought order and life to the universe. Once the poems were written, the children performed them for the class.
Created in God's Image
The children learned that they are made in God's image, as described in Genesis 1:27. They explored what this meant, reflecting on their unique qualities and how they each reflect aspects of God's creation. To help them express their understanding, each child created a puzzle piece that represented themselves or key aspects of who they are. Once all the puzzle pieces were complete, the class worked together to assemble them into a collective jigsaw.
Reflecting on God's Creation
The children visited Wendell Park, where they took time to reflect on the beauty of God's creation and consider what they are most grateful for. As they explored the park, they were encouraged to observe the natural world around them—the trees, flowers, animals, and the sky—appreciating the intricacy and wonder of everything God has made. The children paused to share their thoughts and moments of gratitude, discussing how these elements of nature reflect God's goodness and creativity.
Following their time in the park, the children learned about the ecological virtues, which are habits and attitudes that help protect and care for the environment. In class, they discussed practical ways they can live out these virtues in their everyday lives, such as reducing waste, conserving water, recycling, and showing kindness to animals and plants.
Ecological Virtues
The children linked the ecological virtues of work, praise, gratitude, care, and justice to the Creation story in Genesis. In small groups, they created posters focusing on one virtue and its connection to the teachings of Genesis. One group highlighted work, showing how humans are given the responsibility to care for the Earth. Another explored praise, reflecting on how Creation calls us to praise God. A third group focused on gratitude, emphasizing thankfulness for the goodness of Creation. The care group discussed how we should nurture and protect the environment, while the final group explored justice, linking it to the fair sharing of Creation’s resources.
Creation is the Work of the Holy Trinity
The children learned about the Holy Trinity's role in Creation, exploring how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are involved in bringing the world into being. To illustrate this, they created an element from creation using clay, torches, and bubbles. The clay represented God the Father, symbolising the foundation and substance of Creation. The torch represented Jesus, the Son, symbolising light and life in the world. The bubbles represented the Holy Spirit, signifying the breath of life and God's presence moving through Creation. This hands-on activity helped the children better understand the interconnectedness of the Trinity in the act of Creation.
Laudato Si Week
During Laudato Si' week, the children learned about the importance of trees, with a particular focus on the Amazon rainforest, which tied into their geography lessons on Brazil. They created posters that highlighted key insights about the value of the Amazon, the many benefits trees provide, and the harmful effects of deforestation. The children also explored ways in which they can practice stewardship, such as reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices, to help protect trees and the environment. Through this activity, the children deepened their understanding of ecological responsibility and the role they can play in caring for God's creation.