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.
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
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:
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 Catholic Diocese of Sydney
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.
Christian SRE is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and churches. The approved providers in this combined arrangement are Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union of NSW, Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW). All Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by an approved provider.
The Christian SRE curriculum is authorised by Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union of NSW, Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW). 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 whysre.com.au. Christian SRE engages students in conversations as they question life, explore values and discover faith.
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).
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. For more information about SEE, including authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit Primary Ethics.
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