Time allocations for the Religious Education programme are as set down by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference:

 Years 1 & 2         1 hour 40 minutes per week        5 x 20 minutes

 Years 3 & 4         1 hour 40 minutes                      5 x 20 or 4 x 25 minutes

 Years 5 & 6         2 hours                                      4 x 30 minutes

In addition to teaching the content of the RE programme, teachers at St Peter Chanel Catholic School develop in their classrooms a sense of God and the sacred, through daily classroom prayer, participation in Mass, Assemblies and Liturgical celebrations.

Classroom prayer is an intrinsic part of the daily programme and a well maintained and relevant prayer focus area is evident in each classroom. A variety of approaches to classroom prayer are used. 

Whole school Masses occur at the beginning and end of each Term, on major feast days of the Church's Liturgical Year and weekly on Friday mornings at 9.00am. Our children's experience of Liturgy is a very important part of their Faith development and every effort will be made to ensure that all Liturgies / Masses are of the highest standard and meaningful and memorable for the children. Children are actively involved in these to develop a sense of participation and ownership.

Family Whanau Book 

This book is now available online at www.faithalive.org.nz All Families are expected to read and use the Family Whanau book which provides information to support the Religious Education programme in the home. The Principal and Director of Religious Studies send home reminders via the school newsletter when new strands are being started and the accompanying references in the Family Whanau book.

Student Religious Education Book

These books will provide an important link between the home and the school. They are sent home regularly and parents are to be encouraged to discuss the learning activities with the children and to write a comment at the end of each strand. The books are given high priority in terms of presentation, quality of work, quality of teacher monitoring and home/school links.