SRE in Schools

Volunteers from Grace Church teach Special Religious Education in our local community schools using a curriculum provided by Youthworks. Click here to see more information on the Youthworks Authorised Curriculum. 

 

What is SRE?

Special Religious Education (SRE) is education in the distinct beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion. In SRE classes, students are able to learn and question how beliefs impact their lives. Working closely with the Department of Education to ensure the curriculum is appropriate within context, SRE is taught by authorised representatives of approved religious providers who have been trained and given resources to teach students whose parents would like them to participate in these classes. 

SRE is available to any student regardless of whether they or their families attend a church or not. Even if they are not religious, some parents believe the principles their children can learn in SRE are a good stepping-stone to becoming a productive member of society. Parents can request that their child attend SRE classes and can withdraw them from classes as they wish. 

Grace Church SRE Authorisation Processes

In order to be authorised as a SRE Teacher, you must complete the following: 

  • Obtain a current Working With Children Check that is valid for 5 years

  • Complete SRE Training

  • Complete Child Protection Training before working as an SRE teacher

  • Read and Sign the Grace Church’s & Dept. of Education’s Code of Conduct

    Grace Church Port Macquarie provides a letter to the school that includes the names, dates of birth and contact details for each of the authorised teachers. This letter is updated annually before the start of Term 1 or as required.

Working with children check

In keeping with current child protection legislation, all SRE teachers are required to apply for a WWCC and obtain a clearance number. Approved providers must keep relevant WWCC documents for five years after the employment or engagement has been completed.

Child Protection Training

It is Grace Church’s responsibility to ensure that all SRE teachers have participated in an initial child protection induction and annual update. This is to ensure that SRE teachers are aware of their obligation to advise the principal or workplace manager of concerns about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people that arise during the course of their work. SRE teachers are mandatory reporters of suspected risk of significant harm and of the procedures for doing so.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct clarifies the standards of behavior that is expected of all SRE teachers in the performance of their duties. It gives guidance in areas where staff need to make personal and ethical decisions. It is compulsory to read and sign both Grace Church’s and the Dept. of Education’s Code of Conduct.

Becoming an accredited SRE TEACHER

Completion of Basic Training

SRE approved providers ensure that all SRE teachers have access to basic training standards. The basic training includes context, knowledge of authorised curriculum, classroom management and the importance of continued professional learning.

Accreditation is achieved through the completion of 5 separate modules of training, provided by Youthworks and outlined here. Accreditation is maintained through annual development training run by The Point Church with ongoing support and observation. For those unable to attend these training days this can be undertaken via the Youthworks website.

In the instance of any concerns or complaints raised relating to any aspect of SRE provided by Grace Church, we have adopted the same complaints handling policy as Youthworks which can be viewed here.

For further information about the contents of lessons or any other enquiries, please contact our office via email (admin@gracechurchpm.org.au).