Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition strive to offer a Liberating Education based on a Gospel Spirituality within an Inclusive Community committed to Justice and Solidarity.
Faith & Spirituality
SERVICE, FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
At Christian Brothers College (CBC), all students engage in Religious Education as a holistic experience. This provides them with an understanding of the Catholic faith as a living and dynamic tradition. Their spiritual journey encourages a relationship and awareness of God by providing them with knowledge of the Faith and Liturgical experiences that enhance their awareness of themselves as individuals, their school community, and the global world. Social justice and ethical issues as well as analytical interpretation of religious texts form a basis for this learning area.
CBC believes in fostering a holistic vision of spirituality that is integrated, affirming, and instilled in every dimension of the school. Guided by the Touchstones of an Edmund Rice Education and the College values of Faith, Excellence, Community, and Compassion, we aim to remind our students that they are known, loved, and challenged to act with love.
Our approach to matters of faith and identity is guided by the Head, Heart, and Hands model.
In the Head domain, we provide students with a strong foundation in the Christian faith through a continually renewed Religious Education curriculum. Students gain content knowledge, analytical skills, and ethical decision-making abilities that help them integrate and critique faith, life, and culture.
In the Heart domain, we offer students opportunities to engage in whole-school and House-based liturgical experiences, Masses, and other celebrations. Students are encouraged to participate in regular prayer and meditation, as well as retreat experiences that foster relationships and a stronger sense of self and spirituality. Our supportive and inclusive community helps students grow into hope-filled young people by recognising the importance of positive relationships in their spiritual development.
In the Hands domain, we encourage our students to put their faith into action. Inspired by our Blessed Edmund Rice, we awaken social justice awareness that inspires all in our community to strive to make a difference. Through the Service Learning program, students engage with experiences in the wider community, local charity, and support organisations in exciting, interactive, and hands-on endeavours. Our engagement with Edmund Rice Camps SA invites students to volunteer and support children who have experienced childhood adversity. Students can also become active agents for social change through participation in a variety of Social Justice initiatives and the Social Action Group.
At CBC, we are committed to providing our students with a comprehensive spiritual education that integrates faith, values, and action. Through our approach, we aim to inspire and empower our students to become responsible, compassionate, and engaged members of their community.
Social Justice & Advocacy
Committed to the touchstone of Justice and Solidarity, and College values of Community and Compassion, each person in the school community is challenged to make a difference. There are opportunities throughout the School year for students to give back to their community.
Edmund Rice and Christian Brothers College
Blessed Edmund Rice was born in Callan, Ireland, in 1762. As a young man, Edmund came to the bustling city port of Waterford. Following the tragic death of his wife, he became more aware of the disadvantaged people around him, and in 1802, he set up a free school for boys living in poverty. Once the school was established, he provided the boys with clothing and meals to ensure they had everything they needed to be successful.
From the humble beginning of his work in the New Street stable, the mission of Edmund Rice has spread to 25 countries. His Brothers, now numbering around 3,000, work with 7,000 teachers, to instruct 212,000 boys in 560 schools.
Christian Brothers College, Adelaide was established in 1878 and today the Edmund Rice Tradition continues to inspire and underpin our College values to guide our students to become informed, hopeful and inspired people that the world needs.
Edmund Rice ensured every boy felt welcome and included and greeted each by name as they entered the gates each morning, just as our students are welcomed upon their arrival. Edmund ensured his students were not hungry and ready to learn, and so the Breakfast Club on the Senior Campus provides this important meal for our students to begin their day.
At the heart of every Edmund Rice College are the EREA Touchtones, and how they align with our College Values.
EREA Touchstones
Liberating Education
We open hearts and minds, through quality teaching and learning experiences, so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.
Gospel Spirituality
We invite all people into the story of Jesus and strive to make his message of compassion, justice and peace a living reality within our community.
Inclusive Community
Our community is accepting and welcoming, fostering right relationships and committed to the common good.
Justice and Solidarity
We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.
Religious Education at CBC
The teachings in faith and spirituality at CBC first seek to remind our students that we are each known, and loved and therefore should be challenged to act with love.
Religious Education is studied by all students as a specific subject area and is seen as an indispensable tool for the integration and critique of faith, life, and culture. Whole school and House-based liturgical experiences and Masses, prayer, and the Sacramental Program assist in the faith formation of each individual. Retreat experiences offer a great opportunity to develop relationships and a stronger sense of self and spirituality. The program offers to bring light to the spiritual, pastoral, and relational development of the young men at CBC.
Inspired by our Blessed Edmund Rice, we awaken social justice awareness inspiring all in our community to change our world. Each person in the CBC school community is challenged to make a difference. The Service Learning program develops responsibility, engaging our students with experiences in the wider community including at nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centres, homeless shelters, and more. Students can volunteer to be active agents for social change through participation in overseas pilgrimages or participate with the dedicated team in the Social Action Group.
In 2024, we were delighted to welcome Father Matthew Newman to the CBC family. He plays an active role in our College Masses, leads weekly Wednesday morning prayer services at the Senior Campus during the school term, and is involved in our Sacramental Program, guiding students through the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Sacramental Program at the Junior Campus
At the Junior Campus, we offer a sacramental program for students in Year 4 and above. Students and their families are invited to participate in the program run by the Junior Campus Religious Education Coordinator. The boys complete a series of lessons to prepare them for their sacraments in the Junior Campus Chapel. To participate in the Sacramental program the students must have already received the sacrament of Baptism.
Each year students from Year 4 and any new family starting in Year 5 or 6 are invited to participate in our Sacramental program. The students complete a series of lessons based on the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Parents are also invited to attend a number of parent workshops, to help prepare the students for their sacraments. All Sacraments are celebrated at the beautiful St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Wakefield Street.
Visit our community.
We warmly invite you to join us on our Principal's Tour, where our dedicated staff and Student Leaders will guide you in small groups. It's an excellent opportunity to witness our school in action and experience our vibrant community firsthand.