Faith and Unity

Lesson 1: The Impact of Christian Ecumenical Movements in Australia

Year 12 History – Stage 6 (NSW Curriculum)

---

Time: 60 minutes

Class Size: 20 students

Unit: Faith and Unity: Australia (lesson 1 of 3)

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe the origins and history of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia from 1945 onwards, focusing on the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the NSW Ecumenical Council.
2. Explain the significance of these movements in influencing religious practices and promoting community cohesion.
3. Analyse primary sources to interpret the role and impact of ecumenical movements on Australian society.
4. Develop and communicate evidence-based historical arguments using the ALARM (Answer, Learn, Analyse, Review, Manage) model approach in written and oral form.

---

Curriculum Links (NSW Stage 6 History Syllabus)

• Depth Study 2: Faith and Unity: Australia (1945–2000)
• Historical Knowledge and Understanding: Outcomes related to explaining historical features and significance of post-war religious movements in Australia.
• Historical Skills:
  • P2. Locating, selecting and using sources to develop historical narratives.
  • P3. Interpreting and analysing sources for origin, content, context and purpose.
  • P4. Evaluating sources for reliability and usefulness.
  • P5. Developing evidence-based historical accounts and arguments.

(References align with NSW History Stage 6 syllabus and Achievement Standard for Year 12 History – Humanities and Social Sciences).

---

Resources Needed

• Printed or digital copies of selected primary sources from:
  • Statements, mission goals or minutes of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)
  • Documents from the NSW Ecumenical Council
• Whiteboard/Smartboard
• Student notebooks or digital devices for note-taking and ALARM worksheet
• Timeline handout of major ecumenical events post-1945
• ALARM model writing frame handout

---

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description
5 min	Introduction & Context Setting	Briefly introduce the concept of ecumenism and its rise globally and in Australia post-WWII. Outline key organisations (NCCA, NSW Ecumenical Council). Show a timeline highlighting critical moments since 1945.
10 min	Mini Lecture & Discussion	Teacher-led overview of ecumenical movements in Australia: origins, aims, and activities. Facilitate whole-class brainstorming: Why might unity matter in faith communities after 1945? How might this impact society? Write key points on board.
15 min	Primary Source Analysis (Small Group Work)	Students split into groups of 4. Each group receives a different primary source related to either the NCCA or NSW Ecumenical Council (e.g., mission statements, declarations, correspondence). Using guiding questions, groups analyse:

• What is the source?
• Who produced it and why?
• What does it tell us about the goals or impact of the movement?
• How might this have influenced religious practices or social cohesion?
  Teacher circulates and supports enquiry. |
  | 15 min | Group Presentations & ALARM Evidence Preparation | Each group presents their findings in 3 minutes. Class discusses connections and differing impacts. Teacher models using ALARM structure by answering a key focus question, “How did the National Council of Churches influence Australian religious life since 1945?”|
  | 10 min | Individual ALARM Worksheet Task | Students respond in writing to the question: “Describe how Christian ecumenical movements in Australia have influenced religious practices and community cohesion since 1945.” They use the ALARM frame to structure their response, using evidence from the primary sources and discussion.|
  | 5 min | Review and Reflect | Quick plenary: students share one thing they learned about ecumenism in Australia and one question they still have. Teacher previews next lesson on community challenges and responses in faith groups.

---

Differentiation and Supports

• Provide source summaries and definitions of key terms for students needing support.
• Encourage extension tasks for advanced students: compare Australian ecumenical movements with global ones.
• Use graphic organisers for source analysis and ALARM writing frame to scaffold structured answers.

---

Assessment & Feedback

• Monitor group discussions and presentations to assess understanding of primary sources and historical context.
• Collect and provide written feedback on ALARM worksheets focusing on evidence use, historical reasoning and structure.
• Use reflections to inform follow-up lessons addressing gaps or misconceptions.

---

Pedagogical Notes

• Incorporates evidence-based teaching via primary sources to develop critical thinking and historical inquiry skills.
• ALARM model is integrated to scaffold higher-order thinking and structured historical writing appropriate for Year 12 expectations.
• Group work and presentations encourage collaborative learning and communication skills.
• The lesson ties strongly to NSW curriculum requirements for Historical Knowledge and Skills, supporting achievement at Stage 6.

---

This lesson plan offers a dynamic and comprehensive introduction to the impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia post-1945, designed to promote engagement, inquiry, and deep historical understanding in students in line with NSW curriculum standards.