Supporting Special Religious Education (SRE) in NSW public schools
Under the Education Act 1990, public schools in NSW provide two kinds of religious education
- General religious education – taught by Department of Education teaching staff and part of the normal curriculum
- Special religious education – taught by people who represent their faith, are authorised, trained and may be voluntary or paid.
Before teaching SRE, a faith group must be first approved by the Minister of Education. Organisations that are approved to teach SRE appear of the Department of Education provider list.
In NSW the most commonly taught special religious education is Christianity, taught by members of various approved Christian organisations/denominations or churches
ICCOREIS represents many churches that provide special religious education (SRE) in public schools in NSW. We encourage consultation and cooperation between members.
Our goal is to support, promote and develop quality SRE in public schools while respecting the integrity of each member and other approved providers.
Our members are:
- Australian Christian Churches in NSW
- Baptist Union of NSW
- Christian Community Churches of Australia
- C3 Church Australia (NSW)
- Dioceses of the Anglican Church of Australia in the Province of NSW
- Dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in NSW
- Fellowship of Congregational Churches
- Fresh Hope (Churches of Christ in NSW)
- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
- Lutheran Church of Australia, NSW District
- Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of NSW
- The Salvation Army
- Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand – NSW and ACT Deaneries
- Seventh-day Adventist Church, NSW Conferences
- Uniting Church in Australia NSW/ACT Synod