SRE Guide
SRE Engagement Form
Prohibited Employment Form (Attachment 4)
What is Special Religious Education?
Who does the teaching?
How do I become a Special Religious Education teacher?
What is authorisation?
What about training?
What curriculum do I use?
What is the Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools ICCOREIS)?

What is Special Religious Education (SRE)?

SRE, from the Christian perspective, is the opportunity the churches have to share the gospel with the children in government schools. Other religious faiths may also enter schools to teach their children.

Parents are required to give permission or not for their children to attend the Special Religious Education Classes.

The NSW Education Reform Act of 1990 states: in every government school time is to be allowed for the religious education of children of any religious persuasion to be given by a member of the clergy or other religious teacher of that persuasion, but the total number of hours so allowed in a year is not to exceed, for each child, the number of school weeks in the year. (Implementing Special Religious Education - GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS, PROVIDERS OF SRE AND PARENTS. NSW Department of School Education. 1995)

Who does the teaching?

Volunteers from local congregations, ministers, youth workers and deacons. The local church is responsible to provide SRE teachers for the schools in their area. SRE Teachers must be authorised by their minister or church council, sign an Engagement form and must comply with Child Protection Legislation. Oversight of SRE within the Uniting Church NSW Synod is a responsibility of the Board of Education.

How do I become an SRE teacher?

A person may volunteer to become an SRE teacher on behalf of their congregation. The minister and church council must consider the suitability of each volunteer.

Every SRE teacher must be authorised to enter any government school. Child Protection legislation requirements must also be met.

What is authorisation?

Before a teacher is authorised, he/she must complete an 'Engagement Form' which includes a Statutory Declaration signed and witnessed by a J.P. To comply with government Child Protection Legislation a Prohibited Employment Declaration must also be signed.

The authorisation card is then supplied. It carries the Uniting Church's identification on the front and is signed by the person authorising the teacher (e.g. minister or Chairperson of the Church Council). Ministers, youth workers, deacons, helpers and SRE relief teachers must also be authorised.

Engagement Forms, Authorisation Cards and Prohibited Employment Declaration forms can be obtained from the Board of Education, Level 10 / 222 Pitt Street, Sydney (PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 or call 8267 4290.

What about training?

In NSW, the Department of School Education has requested that each denomination be responsible for training their authorised SRE teachers. The Board of Education offers a 'Basic Accreditation Course' which meets the minimum standard of training, Other courses are offered in regional areas. Our church is making every effort to encourage its authorised teachers to avail themselves of the opportunity to become better equipped and aim for a clear understanding of the Christian faith and practice adequate levels of competence in teaching. ICCOREIS also offer courses for SRE teachers.

2007 training
Monday, February 12, 10am - 2pm, 222 Pitt Street, Sydney, $10
Enquiries: Mandy on 9267 4290, amandaj@nsw.uca.org.au, or Jan 8267 4293
More information • Basic SRE Accreditation leaflet

What curriculum do I use?

The recommended curriculum is Religion-in-Life which is developed by CCES (url www.cces.org.au). It offers material over a three year cycle, it aims to provide a general understanding of the Bible, the Church and Christian values.

What is the Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools (ICCOREIS)?

This body was established in 1972 and is a representative organisation of the major churches in NSW and is responsible to its member churches. It exists to provide a fully representative context for inter-church discussion and negotiations on religious education in government schools. SRE Update is an occasional paper for SRE Teachers produced by ICCOREIS.

The SRE Curriculum suggested is Religion-in-Life which is produced by CCES in Victoria. It introduces students to key beliefs and values rooted in biblical teaching.