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.
Special Religious Education (SRE) is education in the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion. Special Education in Ethics (SEE) is a program in ethical decision making, action and reflection within a secular framework, based on a branch of philosophy. The Education Act 1990 states that ‘in every government school, time is to be allowed for the religious education of children of any religious persuasion’.
At Shellharbour Public School, SRE and SEE are delivered on Friday at 12noon for K- 2 students and 12:30 pm Years 3-6 students.
The SRE and SEE programs are taught by persons authorised by approved providers, by the Department of Education to teach SRE and SEE. They are often parents, grandparents, carers or lay volunteers from a local community. The volunteers undergo a police background check, a working with children check and are trained by the SRE or SEE organisations.
On enrolment, parents/carers will be given the SRE and SEE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE and SEE should be made in writing and given to our administration staff and classroom teacher.
SRE and SEE Participation Letter
We currently offer the following SRE classes as well as the SEE course provided by Primary Ethics:
- Catholic SRE is provided by - the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. For more information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://ccdwollongong.com
- Christian SRE is provided by – the Anglican Diocese of Wollongong. For more information about Christian SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://whysre.com.au
- Baha’i SRE is provided by – the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Shellharbour. More information about Baha’i SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://bahai.org.au/index.php/what-bahais-do/building-vibrant-communities/spiritual-education-children/bahai-classes-in-state-schools/
- Special Education in Ethics program is provided by Primary Ethics. The approved providers’ authorised curriculum scope and sequence can be found at https://primaryethics.com.au
When SRE and SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space. They will participate in meaningful activities that may include reading or private study. The classroom teachers set no work during this time.