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.
Special Religious Education (SRE)
At Harrington Park Public School, SRE is delivered on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:00pm (Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5) and 1:00pm-1:30pm (Kinder, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6).
On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE should be given to the front office in writing or via the school email.
The following SRE classes are offered at Harrington Park Public School:
- Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE 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. 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.
Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. More information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit www.ccdwollongong.com for more information.
- Special Religious Education (SRE): Anglican SRE
The Archbishop of Sydney is responsible for the authorisation of Anglican SRE material in the Diocese of Sydney. He has authorised only the SRE curriculum material produced by Anglican Youthworks for Anglican SRE.
Curriculum: Connect is a three-year Religious Education curriculum designed for use in Australian and New Zealand schools. It is Bible-based and offers 20 lessons each semester at Infants (ages 5 to 7), Lower Primary (ages 7 to 9) and Upper Primary (ages 10 to 12) levels. Visit www.youthworks.net/sre for more information.
- Students not attending SRE
During the time that SRE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities. Activities could include reading or work prepared by a teacher ion the stage team.