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 Annandale North Public School, SRE and SEE are delivered on Tuesday from 9.05 – 9:35 am for students in 3-6 and from 9:40-10:10am for students in Years K-2.
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 given to the office, in writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at Annandale North Public School:
Combined Christian SRE
Combined Christian SRE is provided by teachers from Village Church Annandale, as part of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. All teachers are authorised and trained in how kids learn, classroom management, and teaching skills.
The curriculum has been developed and refined, taking into account current research on the way students think and learn; catering for different learning stages, with language, content and activities written with the needs of each child in mind, to teach students about God and Christian belief.
Further detail, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, can be found at Village Church SRE and Sydney Anglican SRE Website
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 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 the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney website
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, please see BJE’s website.
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 at Primary Ethics website
During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space, either the hall or the library, and will participate in meaningful activities that include reading, private study or completing homework.
Write to the school if you wish to withdraw your child from special religious education, sometimes known as scripture. Special education in ethics is an option for your primary-age child if you withdraw them from special religious education. For more information, visit Religion and ethics.