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 Samuel Gilbert Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Thursdays at the following times:
- Kindergarten to Year 2 10:20-10:50am
- Years 3-4 11:10-11:40am
- Years 5-6 11:40am-12:10pm
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 your child's enrolment in SRE/SEE should be given to the school office in writing (preferrably by email).
The following SRE classes are offered at Samuel Gilbert Public School:
Special Religious Education (SRE): Combined Christian SRE
Christian SRE is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and churches. The approved providers in this combined arrangement are the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. All Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by an approved provider.
The Christian SRE curriculum is authorised by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. 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.youthworks.net/sre/curricula
Christian SRE engages students in conversations as they question life, explore values and discover faith. Students explore the good news about Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the depth of God's love for everyone. With trained teachers, lessons are age-appropriate, fun and inclusive to build resilience, character and faith.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
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 Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 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://cepconnect.com.au/curriculum
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. 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.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Islamic SRE
Islamic Council of NSW
https://www.isre.org.au/scope-k-6/
Students gain knowledge of Islamic principles, values and life skills. Students are supported and nurtured to develop a positive sense of their identity as Muslims, and are guided towards becoming model members of their communities.
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 respectful discussion.
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. You can find out more information about the program from the Primary Ethics website.
Students not participating in SRE and SEE
During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities. No teaching instruction is provided during this time. Students are supervised by teachers and use this time to complete unfinished classwork, engage in silent reading, independently complete word puzzles/brain teasers and develop their artistic skills through drawing and tracing.