Religious Education

As an integrated school, Mill Strand strives to provide an inclusive approach to RE that educates children about religion rather than taking a proselytising  approach based on one strand of one faith or belief.  Following the high court ruling that the 'agreed' NI RE primary curriculum was unlawful,  Mill Strand developed a calendar of RE topics based on the major world religions and non religious beliefs to help prepare our pupils for life in a growing secular society.  Given the predominantly Christian nature of our society most of the annual events relate to the Christian church but it is designed to enable all pupils, regardless of faith or belief to participate in it.    In addition, denominational instruction is offered to Roman Catholic pupils in Year 3 for Confession, Year 4 for First Holy Communion and Year 7 for Confirmation.  As an Integrated School, Mill Strand also provides preparation for Sacraments as an integral part of the school day for those pupils requiring it.

As an integrated school, Mill Strand strives to celebrate difference rather than just tolerate or accommodate it and the beliefs of all members of the school community are respected.  Mill Strand Integrated School serves a wide and diverse community including foreign nationals, pupils from minority religious backgrounds and those from a non-religious background.  By celebrating and sharing beliefs and traditions the school strives to enable pupils to become better aware of others beliefs, educating pupils for a shared future.  It is this celebration of difference in an environment not dominated by ANY particular section of our community that sets Mill Strand Integrated School aside from any other primary school in the Triangle Area.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed.  I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.  But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any’
Mahatma Gandhi [1869-1948]

An integral part of the school calendar includes events at three of the major churches including: First Holy Communion, at one of the local Roman Catholic Churches, where children from all faiths and backgrounds join in the service through their participation in the congregation or school choir.  The school also celebrates Harvest annually at Ballywillan Presbyterian Church and holds a Carol Service every Christmas at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland in Portrush.

We believe that it is important that all children attend these events as it is part of our celebrating of difference to promote understanding.

As part of the whole school's work towards EIEA - The Excellence in Integration Award, Mill Strand is currently developing its work to ensure that all beliefs including non-religious beliefs are catered for in the school and that through awareness, inclusion and dialogue, pupils attending the school are enabled to be secure in their own beliefs as well as develop a positive sense of understanding and acceptance of others.