Year 7 CL excursion – Jewish Synagogue / St Mary’s Cathedral

At the end of last term Year 7, as part of their Connected Learning studies, travelled to Sydney and Bondi to visit two religious landmarks.

These religious centres for worship were St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney and the Great Synagogue at Bondi. Although a rather wet and cold day students, along with their Connected Learning teachers and other members of staff, were afforded the opportunity to experience two different religious experiences from both Judaism and Christianity.

At the Jewish Synagogue students participated in a forum facilitated by Rabbi Cohen who guided students through his faith, sacred text, rites and rituals, as well as symbols used within the faith.

At the Cathedral students were given a guided tour of this remarkable sacred place. Students were in awe of the beauty and splendor of the Cathedral, from the Gothic architecture to the ornate stained glass windows portraying the Stations of the Cross, Catholic saints and martyrs as well as the walls of the church being adorned with many statues, from the Virgin Mary through to Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop, and Saint John Paul II. Students also experienced the crypt within the grounds of the Cathedral, in which the early forefathers of the Catholic Church in Australia are laid to rest.

Below is just a sample of the students’ reflections upon the excursion from Mrs Devine’s class.

“Year 7 went on an amazing trip to Sydney and Bondi to see the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral and the astonishing Central Synagogue. Year 7 had an amazing trip and we highly recommend this excursion for others in future”. Nera Pulido – 7 CL A3 “On the 16th June 2015, Year 7 students went on an excursion to explore the St Mary’s Cathedral and the Jewish Synagogue. Students went to the city to learn about the topic, ‘Who Care’s About Stories?’ The most enjoyable part of the excursion was the St Mary’s Cathedral because I learned more about our faith and became closer to God.

Another thing that was an enjoyable part of the excursion was the bus trip between the different places because we saw the famous Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and different places of Sydney.” Althea Fajardo – 7 CL A3“Year 7 went on an amazing trip to Sydney and Bondi to see the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral and the astonishing Central Synagogue. Year 7 had an amazing trip and we highly recommend this excursion for others in future”. Nera Pulido – 7 CL A3 “On the 16th June 2015, Year 7 students went on an excursion to explore the St Mary’s Cathedral and the Jewish Synagogue.

Students went to the city to learn about the topic, ‘Who Care’s About Stories?’ The most enjoyable part of the excursion was the St Mary’s Cathedral because I learned more about our faith and became closer to God. Another thing that was an enjoyable part of the excursion was the bus trip between the different places because we saw the famous Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and different places of Sydney.” Althea Fajardo – 7 CL A3