A true education should lead students not only to academic success, but should form every part of them, mind, body and soul, guiding them on the path to perfection of their human nature in anticipation of eternal life with God.
At St. Peter Chanel School we strive to do this through an integrated curriculum which presents to students a compelling vision of the world they are part of. Through cultivating their natural wonder and fostering their growth in virtue, we strive to develop their love of all that is good, true and beautiful.
By exposing students to the best of all that has been said and done by their predecessors throughout history, and by engaging them in meaningful reading and discussions, we aim to pass on the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition and culture so that they might read, think and speak well.
Through this Liberal Arts approach to education, we hope to give students the best foundation for a good life lived well in anticipation of eternal life with God.
The following themes permeate the school and classroom environment and set the tone for all study and learning across all key learning areas:
- Unity of truth: All that is true comes from God. Studying and learning any truth leads us closer to God, the Source of Truth, and gives a better understanding of His plan.
- Goal: As Catholics we all have the same goal: to live more fully the life that God desires us to have now in order to spend eternity with Him in heaven. He alone can satisfy our heart. Everything we do in life, everything we study in our content areas, point to this same end. Keeping this goal in mind is key to a supernatural vision of education.
- Centrality of Christ: Jesus is the centre of Catholic education. He is the fullness of Truth who forms the heart and life of each teacher and student.
- Glory of God: The motto of the Jesuit Order is “ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,” for the greater glory of God. Study and learning in any content area gives glory to God as we use our mind according to the purpose for which God created it. In addition, our motive for all that we do throughout the day should be for God’s glory. As educators, we need to grow in this awareness and lead our students to awareness and purity of motive/intention.
- Sacramental viewpoint: As Catholics, we have a sacramental outlook on the world. This viewpoint means that the visible/material world points to something invisible/immaterial. Everything we see has a deeper meaning and purpose to it, ultimately leading us to see the Author of all things when we look at anything in creation.
- Formation in virtue: Our classrooms are meant to be schools of virtue. Catholic education necessarily involves formation in the virtuous life. Students directly learn virtue through instruction and indirectly through example. Students are taught to live with this strength of soul in mind (e.g., understanding, explaining, wondering) and will (e.g., diligence, perseverance in difficulty, humility). Students are led to love and seek what is true, good, and beautiful. In this way they will shine with His light.
- Formation in community life: In daily class and group work, students learn how to work and communicate effectively and virtuously in their interactions with others. Students develop into Christian leaders who know how to appreciate and draw out the best out in those around them.
- Prayer: All study should be guided by the Holy Spirit and lead students to God. A simple practice to orient students in this mindset is to begin class with a simple prayer, teaching the students to slow down and turn their hearts to the source of all learning and truth, and reminding them that their gifts and efforts come from and return to God.
Note: St Peter Chanel is in the process of moving towards a Liberal Arts Approach.