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.
A feature of the public education system in NSW is the opportunity to provide time in class for education in ethics, faith, and morality from a religious or non-religious perspective at the choice of parents.
The SRE programs available at the school are run by authorised volunteers of approved religious persuasions. Currently, Chatswood High School provides Christian SRE (Combined Churches and Catholic) which is offered to all students in Years 7-10.
SRE Christian (Combined Churches) classes involve open discussion and philosophical debate. Students will gain a basic outline of Christian beliefs, develop biblical literacy, interact with other belief systems, and undertake studies of contemporary issues in relation to the Christian faith. Local Christian Churches (under the auspices of REACH Inc.) employ a teacher at the school to teach Christian (Combined Churches) SRE in fortnightly classes for students in Years 7-10. REACH website: http://www.reachinschools.org/
SRE Christian (Combined Churches) co-ordinator: Matthew Pettett: matthew.pettett7@det.nsw.edu.au. Mr Pettett's employers are the Local Christian Churches as outlined above.
SRE Christian Catholic classes are offered in the format of two seminars per term which are taught by trained catechist teachers. The local Catholic church of Our Lady of Dolours in Chatswood employ a Catholic SRE coordinator to serve at the school teaching with other volunteers for students in Years 7-11. The seminar material and discussion is an age appropriate authorised Catholic SRE curriculum “Walking with Jesus, Pathways of Discipleship”, approved by Bishop Peter Comensoli of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay.
SRE Christian Catholic contact: chatswoodoffice@bbcatholic.org.au or phone 9410 9000
In addition, whole year or whole school combined Christian seminars are organised in Term 1 and Term 4 to celebrate Easter and Christmas.
SRE participation letters are completed and submitted at the time of enrolment at the school. Students will continue the same arrangement as the previous year, unless a parent/carer has requested a change in writing.
A parent/caregiver may at any time notify the school in writing that they wish to change their decision. Additional copies of the participation letter are available at the school office or can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
Students who do not take part in SRE will participate in fully supervised productive private study. Regular classes do not run in conflict with SRE.
For more information about Special religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE), including the list of approved providers, please visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-across-the-curriculum/religion-and-ethics