Elaborations Sense Of The Sacred

Elaborations - sense of the sacred (ICS)

Sense of the sacred uses the intellect, art, design and reflective spaces to engage the senses. It contributes to the religious identity and culture of a community. The aesthetic, social and physical environment is a powerful means through which a school community creates and values a sense of the sacred.

Creating a sense of the sacred ICS1

• Engaging students in the prayerful use of local prayer sites, sacred spaces and physical structures (e.g. labyrinths, peace gardens, local parish church) ICS1.1
• Reviewing the appropriateness of existing religious art and iconography ICS1.2
• Establishing and maintaining sacred and reflective spaces in classrooms and around the school ICS1.3
• Providing opportunities for students to explore God’s presence through art and other media (e.g. engage an artist-in- residence, hold an exhibition of students’ religious artwork) ICS1.4

Enhancing the religious culture ICS2

• Providing professional learning opportunities on the power and potential of the aesthetic in creating a sense of the sacred ICS2.1
• Providing professional learning for staff on religious art and iconography ICS2.2
• Establishing practices and procedures for movement from secular psychological space to a readiness for prayer and celebration (e.g. use of bells, chimes, silence, ritual action) ICS2.3
• Incorporating student art and religious iconography into school reception areas and communal spaces to reflect the liturgical seasons and life of the school community ICS2.4

Resourcing for a sense of the sacred ICS3

• Planning for the acquisition of quality art, artefacts and iconography for classrooms and school environments ICS3.1
• Using the natural environment to enhance a sense of the sacred (e.g. reflective walks, rainforest areas, peace/prayer gardens) ICS3.2
• Identifying and sourcing suitable resources for creating an aesthetic environment for liturgy and ritual (e.g. music, symbols, materials, artefacts, images) ICS3.3
• Exploring ways the creative arts can be used to enrich the religious life and culture of the school (e.g. poetry in liturgies of the word, drama in Easter celebrations, creative use of multimedia in prayer rituals) ICS3.4
• Supporting and resourcing staff to create meaningful prayer spaces and experiences in classroom settings. ICS3.5