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.
Christian SRE is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and Churches. The approved providers in this combined arrangement are Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union NSW, Uniting Church, Anglican Diocesan of Sydney, Presbyterian Church of Australia.
The Christian SRE curriculum is authorised by Australian Christian Churches. The curriculum is based on Good News about Jesus Christ and learning the key elements of our Christian life and culture and can be found at https://www.iccoreis.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Godspace-Combined.pdf. Christian SRE engages students in conversations as they question life, explore values and discover faith.
Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the local parish and trained by the 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 go to https://ccd.sydneycatholic.org/publications/curriculum-resources/
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.
During the time that SRE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities activities include reading, private study or completing homework.