HOW SRE WORKS IN NSW
Teaching about religious beliefs in NSW government schools is called Special Religious Education (SRE).  There are guidelines and policies which govern how this can occur.  The Department of Education and Training (DET) regulates which religious persuasions are able to be “Approved Providers” of SRE.

SRE teachers must be authorized by their local church leader (rector).  If they teach in a joint denominational setting they must be cross authorized by all the participating denominations.  They should carry an authorization card when on school property to teach SRE.

SRE teachers undertake to become more proficient by doing teacher training, and by furthering their own religious education.

The forms on this page are used to

• Authorize SRE teachers (SRE Engagement form)
• Screen SRE teachers (Volunteer Applicant Declaration)
• Consent Cross authorize SRE teachers when teaching  joint denominationally

Downloads

• SRE policy (DET)
• SRE Teachers’ handbook (ICCOREIS)
• Recruitment ideas
• Prayer cards
• Commissioning service

For other helpful downloads from DET such as  the List of

Approved Providers, Sample Letter to Parents on Enrolment, and the Education Week service, follow the link.

 You may require Adobe Acrobat Reader to download these files as they are in PDF format. These are large files and may take some time...

SRE_Teacher_Engagment_Form_Clergy.pdf This form is to be completed by all clergy who teach SRE (scripture) in State Schools.

SRE_Teacher_Engagment_Form_.pdf This form is to be filled in by anyone who teaches SRE (scripture) within the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. It requires completion every three years, or when the authorising priest changes.

SRE teachers are required to fill in the form "Applicant Declaration and Consent" of the NSW Working with Children Check.  This form is located on the NSW Working with Children website at the link below.

https://check.kids.nsw.gov.au/volunteer-declaration.php

Copies of these forms should be kept in the Parish Office, and the original fowarded to the Diocesan Business Manager.

Clergy in the Diocese of Newcastle are the authorising agents for those who teach in schools. These cards should only be signed and given to teachers who have been appropriately screened, and should be carried by teachers whenever they teach.

These cards can only be filled in by parish clergy and are kept on the secure 'Clergy Access' page of the Diocesan Website.

Click here to go to the clergy access page.

CCRESST_PRAYER_CARD_2008.pdf This card can be used in your Parish as part of prayer support for SRE Teachers.

CCRESST_Commissioning_Service.pdf

board.pdf - Where your parish works in cooperation with other churches/denominations to provide SRE, either as part of a board, or in joint denominational teaching within a school, more paperwork and checking is required.

Cross_Authorisation.pdf - You will note that information from all participating providers needs to be supplied and signed in the “sample letter”. This results in cross authorizing all teachers.

CCRESST_Recruit.pdf This flyer will assist your SRE Team to put together an 8 step plan to recruit new SRE Teachers.

Sharing_Your_Journey.pdf This flyer may be used in your Parish to promote SRE teachers, and encourage people to consider teaching SRE in your local area.