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 Peakhurst South Public School, Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) is delivered on Wednesdays: 2:05 – 2:40 for K-2 students and 2:40 – 3:20 for Years 3-6 students.
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/SEE should be given to the school office in writing.
The following SRE/SEE classes are offered at Peakhurst South Public School:
Combined Christian SRE (Protestant)
Christian SRE is provided by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The SRE curriculum used in this school is produced by Christian Education Publications and the SRE teachers are trained and authorised in its delivery. 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 fun and inclusive for children and young people, and also give them the opportunity to critically explore and deepen their faith, pray, and reflect. Research has shown that SRE contributes to students’ holistic education as it nurtures their spiritual wellbeing. For more information about Combined Christian SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Why SRE? website.
Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. 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 please visit the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney website.
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.
Special Education in Ethics (SEE)
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. 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. You can find out more information about the program from the Primary Ethics website.
Greek Orthodox SRE
Greek Orthodox SRE is provided by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. For more information about Greek Orthodox SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Pantanassa Monastery website.
Islamic SRE (ISRE)
The ISRE lessons provide a specifically tailored Islamic education program for Muslim students. The program is designed to teach Muslim students the basics of Islam, nurture them to develop a strong sense of identity and purpose and inspire them to lead productive lives by contributing positively to themselves, their communities, their society and the world. The ISRE program is non-sectarian and is provided to all Muslims students, regardless of their sectarian groupings. The aim of ISRE is to teach students to love, learn and live Islam.
Islamic SRE is provided by the Islamic Council of NSW. For more information about Islamic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Islamic Special Religious Education website.
During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in non-key learning area related tasks and activities.