NSW public schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics, delivered by approved providers wherever available.
During enrolment, you can choose a special religious education option for your child from the school’s available approved providers. You can withdraw your child from special religious education by selecting alternative meaningful activities, or special education in ethics if it’s available.
You can update your preference by writing to the school or through the online form available at participating schools.
Visit the department’s website for more information about religion and ethics.
At Northbridge Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Tuesdays from: 9:10am for K-2 students and from 9:50am for Years 3-6 students.
On enrolment, parents/carers will be given the SRE and SEE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE/SEE should be emailed to the school.
The following SRE/SEE classes are offered at Northbridge Public School:
Special Religious Education (SRE): Combined Christian SRE
Combined Christian SRE is education in Christian beliefs and practices for children of families from various Christian denominations and churches. Combined Christian SRE teachers at this school are authorised and trained by the following approved SRE provider: Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
The SRE curriculum used in this school is produced by Christian Education Publications and is approved by the provider. The curriculum explores the good news about Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the depth of God’s love for people. Each lesson has been developed to be taught in an age-appropriate manner. Lessons include activities which make the lessons fun and inclusive for children and young people, and also give them the opportunity to critically explore and deepen their faith, pray, and reflect. See https://whysre.com.au/sre-curriculum/lesson-content/
Research has shown that SRE contributes to students’ wholistic education as it nurtures their spiritual wellbeing. For more information about the SRE curriculum used in this school visit whysre.com.au
Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the Catholic Parish of Lower North Shore and trained by the Broken Bay Diocese of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic SRE curriculum is approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in liaison with religious education experts. Lessons include activities that are fun and inclusive for students, whilst also providing them the opportunity to critically explore in depth their faith and to pray and reflect. For more information about the Catholic SRE curriculum:
https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/evangelisation/ccd/curriculum/scope-sequence-and-lessons/scope-sequence-and-lesson-names
Catholic SRE teachers engage young people in hearing the Good News about Jesus Christ and learning the key elements of our Christian life and culture
Special Religious Education (SRE): Jewish SRE
Jewish SRE is provided by the NSW Board of Jewish Education (BJE). All teachers undergo a selection process and are trained in the professional delivery of the curriculum and in classroom management. The curriculum is developed by BJE’s professionally trained educators taking childhood development milestones into account. Focusing initially on Jewish festivals, the curriculum explores a wide range of Jewish values, ethics and traditions keeping a balanced perspective through engaging and thought-provoking activities. Students are encouraged to think critically, and share their insights, value their Jewish heritage whilst respecting others, and aspire to participate in the Jewish and Australian communities.
For more information:
https://bje.org.au/primary-school/learning-journey/sre/
Special Education in Ethics (SEE)
SEE classes support children to develop a life-long capacity for making well-reasoned decisions about ethical issues. Through balanced argument students learn to disagree respectfully, to challenge ideas and to support their arguments with considered evidence. Our volunteer SEE teachers use lesson materials which present a range of stories, scenarios and questions to generate discussion. SEE teachers are trained to impartially facilitate student discussions, helping students develop their critical thinking and collaborative inquiry skills. SEE teachers support student learning by:
- showing genuine curiosity and interest in the questions being discussed
- staying neutral
- creating space for students to think, share ideas, give reasons and ensuring
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. You can find out more information about the program from pegnight@bigpond.net.au and the primary ethics website www.primaryethics.com.au/
Students Not Attending SRE/SEE
Any students not participating in SRE/SEE will take part in meaningful activities, such as reading, private study or completing homework.