NSW schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics. Approved providers deliver these, where available.
Write to the school if you wish to withdraw your child from special religious education, sometimes known as scripture. Special education in ethics is an option for your primary-age child if you withdraw them from special religious education. For more information visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-across-the-curriculum/religion-and-ethics
Special Religious Education (SRE)
Parents and carers in public schools have the right to have their child receive instruction in their preferred religious persuasion, where authorised teachers of that persuasion are available.
A Special Religious Education (SRE) program is available at Seven Hills Public School and is run by authorised volunteers of approved religious persuasions. For details about the specific SRE programs, please see below. Alternatively, parents may choose for their child not to attend SRE classes. On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE participation letter to complete and return.
At Seven Hills Public School, the SRE program is delivered on Wednesdays from 11:25am-12:00pm for all students K-6.
During the time that SRE classes are being held, there will be no academic instruction delivered or formal school activities. Children will therefore not be missing any class work by attending SRE classes. Students attending non-SRE classes will be with a teacher who delivers Values lessons.
During the year, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE classes should be given to the class teacher in writing.
In 2021, the following SRE classes are offered at Seven Hills Public School
- Catholic
- Anglican
- Sikh
- Hindu
- Islamic
Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta through St Bernadette’s Parish, Wheeler Street, Lalor Park.
More information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://parracatholic.org/ccd-home/#catechists
Protestant SRE is provided by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. is provided by St Clement’s Anglican Church, Lalor Park.
More information about Protestant SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit http://www.whysre.com.au/cepcurriculum
Hindu SRE is provided by the Sydney Murugan Temple
Sikh SRE is provided by Australian Sikh Association
Islamic SRE is provided by Islamic Special Religious Education www.isre.org.au
Special Ethics Education (SEE) is a secular alternative to scripture classes available to all students who have nominated Non-Scripture.
The focus is on the discussion of ethical issues, both personal and social, which allows students to better understand and develop such crucial skills as empathy, tolerance and respect. Moreover, this process of ethical enquiry will develop students' critical thinking skills, which are vital to any academic endeavour.
Information on the curriculum and teaching methods / qualifications is available at www.primaryethics.com.au
NSW schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics. Approved providers deliver these, where 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.