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 Hornsby North Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Thursday from 9:05am - 9:40am for K-2 students and from 9:40am - 10:15am 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 office, in writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at Hornsby North Public School:
Special Religious Education (SRE): Combined Christian SRE
Christian SRE is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and churches. The approved provider in this combined arrangement is Anglican Diocese of Sydney. All Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by an approved provider.
The Christian SRE curriculum is authorised by Sydney Anglican Diocese. The curriculum is based on Good News about Jesus Christ and learning the key elements of our Christian life and culture and can be found at SRE curriculum overview. Christian SRE engages students in conversations as they question life, explore values and discover faith.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the local parish and trained by the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay.
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 go to Ku-Ring-gai Chase Catholic Parish 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 Religious Education (SRE): Jewish SRE
Jewish SRE is provided by the NSW Board of Jewish Education (BJE). All teachers undergo a selection process and are trained in the professional delivery of the curriculum and in classroom management. The curriculum is developed by BJE's professionally trained educators taking childhood development milestones into account. Focusing initially on Jewish festivals, the curriculum explores a wide range of Jewish values, ethics and traditions keeping a balanced perspective through engaging and thought-provoking activities. Students are encouraged to think critically, and share their insights, value their Jewish heritage whilst respecting others, and aspire to participate in the Jewish and Australian communities. For more information, please see BJE's websiteExternal link.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Hindu SRE
Hindu Dharma SRE is provided by Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc. For more information on the curriculum go to Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc. website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Islamic SRE
Islamic SRE is provided by the Islamic Council of NSW and ISRE. The Islamic Council of NSW provides the school and community with quality Islamic SRE. For more information on the Islamic SRE program go to Islamic Special Religious Education website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Baha'i SRE
Baha'i SRE is provided by the Baha’i Council for South Eastern Australia. The link to the authorised curriculum scope and sequence can be found at Bahai classes in the state schools.
Special Education in Ethics (SEE)
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. SEE teachers support student learning by:
- showing genuine curiosity and interest in the questions being discussed
- staying neutral
- creating space for students to think, share ideas, give reasons and ensuring
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. You can find out more information about the program from Mandy Walmsley, Ethics Coordinator, email: hnps.ethics@gmail.com. The approved providers’ authorised curriculum scope and sequence can be found at the Primary Ethics 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 meaningful activities.