NSW public schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics, delivered by approved providers wherever available.
Special education in ethics is an option for your primary-age child if you withdraw them from special religious education. For more information, visit Religion and ethics.
At Castle Hill Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Wednesdays from 9:30-10:00am.
On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE and SEE participation letter to complete and return. If you wish to withdraw your child from SRE/SEE or request a change, please notify the school office in writing (email is preferred). Changes will come into effect at the commencement of each new school term.
During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities such as reading, private study or completing homework.
The following SRE classes are offered at Castle Hill Public School:
Baha’i SRE is provided by Bahá’í Council for South Eastern Australia. Baha’i SRE teachers are authorised by The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hills Shire Ltd. For 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/
Buddhist SRE is no longer available. We are only able to offer this option if parents and/or community volunteers are willing to train and deliver this program at our school.
Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta. Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the local parish and trained by the diocese of the Catholic Church. For more information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta website. The approved Catholic Diocesan curriculum is ‘Christ Our Light and Life’ found at: https://ccd.sydneycatholic.org/publications/curriculum-resources/
Combined Christian SRE (also known as Christian SRE) is provided by volunteer SRE teachers authorised by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Baptist Union of NSW, Presbyterian Church of Australia and Australian Christian Churches NSW. Combined Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The approved curriculum ‘Beginning with God’, ‘Connect’ and ‘Big Questions’ is developed by Youthworks. More information can be found at: https://cepconnect.com.au/curriculum
Hindu SRE is provided by Chinmaya Mission, Sydney (located in Castle Hill). For more information about Hindu SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Chinmaya Mission website: https://www.chinmaya.com.au/pages/nsw-schools-scripture-program
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 Council of NSW website: https://www.isre.org.au/scope-k-6/
Sikh SRE is provided by the Australian Sikh Association Ltd. For more information about Sikh SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit: http://www.gnps.nsw.edu.au/sre-classes
We are also able to offer SEE (special education in ethics) in a limited capacity for students in some year groups. We are seeking more parents and/or community volunteers to train and deliver this program at our school.
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. For more information about SEE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Primary Ethics website: https://primaryethics.com.au/about-ethics-classes/our-curriculum/
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.