Artwork: We Are All Family by Koori Club student Daniel
Religion and ethics
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 Dulwich High School of Visual Arts & Design, SRE is offered fortnightly on Mondays for Year 7 & 8 on an alternative period each term.
On enrolment, parents/carers will be given the SRE participation letter to complete and return.
The following SRE classes are offered at Dulwich High School of Visual Arts & Design:
What is SRE? Special Religious Education (SRE) is the time set aside in Government Schools for Catechists (also called SRE Teachers) from the local Catholic Church to teach Catholic children about Jesus and his message of salvation. SRE is mandated by the Education Act (1990) and gives parents the choice to have children formed in the faith of their family.
Why is SRE Taught? The Catholic Church sees the education of Catholic children in the Faith as integral and key to its mission. The NSW Department of Education (DOE) describes SRE “as an integral part of school activities.” SRE can be seen then, as part of “a well-rounded education that values and supports the intellectual, creative, physical, social, spiritual and emotional development of each child.”
What is Taught? Catholic SRE teaching programs are approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in liaison with educational experts, for use by SRE Teachers. Programs contain suitable lessons for students from Year 7 to Year 12.
Roman Catholic SRE is provided by St Paul of the Cross Dulwich Hill. This Parish belongs to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. For more information about Roman Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit Catholic Diocese of Sydney
Combined Christian SRE is education in Christian beliefs and practices for children of families from various Christian denominations and churches. Combined Christian SRE teachers at this school are authorised and trained by the following approved SRE providers; Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union of NSW, Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW). With teachers from All Saints Petersham, Holy Trinity Duwlich Hill (Anglican Diocese of Sydney), Revive Petersham (Australian Christian Churches), Concord Baptist Church (Baptist Union of NSW), Ashfield Presbyterian (Presbyterian Church of Australia NSW).
The Combined Christian SRE curriculum used in this school is produced by Christian Education Publications and is approved by each SRE provider. The curriculum explores the good news about Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the depth of God’s love for people. Each lesson has been developed to be taught in an age-appropriate manner. Lessons include activities which make the lessons interactive and inclusive for all students and give them the opportunity to critically explore and deepen their faith, pray, and reflect.
Research has shown that SRE contributes to students’ wholistic education as it nurtures their spiritual wellbeing. For more information about the SRE curriculum used in this school visit whysre.com.au
Lessons focus on an Orthodox way of life and identity. Lessons include more than Bible knowledge they help develop the religious sense of each child. Students are shown how to pray, make the sign of the Cross and the importance of the Sacraments.
Greek Orthodox SRE is provided by Greek Orthodox Church Dulwich Hill. For more information about Greek Orthodox SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (Redfern)
If you do not wish your child to attend special religious education:
During the time that SRE classes are held, students not attending will be located in a separate space (classroom) and will participate in private study and revision (with their class teacher).
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