Approved providers are to authorise the SRE curriculum used by their teachers and provide an outline of the scope and sequence on their websites, or a web-link to the curriculum.

For more information see the SRE Handbook,  Chapter 3

For those using the curriculum and their responsibilities see page 6 of the  Special Religious Education Procedures  

 

Denominational SRE Curricula

Most denominations either develop or endorse a curriculum appropriate to the needs of the students and the frequency of contact afforded by the SRE provisions.

Details of specific curricula may be obtained from the appropriate denominational education office. See Chapter 8  of the SRE Handbook

The local clergy or authorising agents generally have discretion in the adoption of a suitable curriculum for SRE. Care should be taken to ensure that, before authorising a particular curriculum, not only is it doctrinally acceptable but also educationally sound and suited to the developmental needs and ages of the children.

 

Examples of denominational curricula are:

Catholic:

• Walking with Jesus–  and Broken Bay Units of Study – years 7-12   Broken Bay diocese
• Christ Our Light and Life  – years  7-12–   Sydney CCD 

 

Greek Orthodox

• Pantanassa Monastery curriculum 

 

Joint-Denominational SRE Curricula

The decision to join with others in a joint-denominational SRE program (called combined arrangements) means that careful consideration should be given to agreeing on a suitable SRE curriculum. Within any one school, joint-denominational programs may run parallel with programs operated by other religious persuasions.

The curriculum you use must be approved by your Provider and this information must be publicly available on your Provider’s website and on the school’s website. In combined Christian SRE teaching, all denominations must approve the curriculum being used. You cannot assume a curriculum approved for one school is approved for use elsewhere.

Which of the listed approved curriculum to use is usually a local decision. Curriculums are age or year specific. Upper high school curriculums cannot be used for lower years.

Once an agreed curriculum is in place, it should not be changed more frequently than every three to four years. When a change is contemplated, consideration should be given to the sequencing of the new to the old curriculum so that children are not exposed to undue repetition.

Authorisation of curriculum should also be accompanied by authorisation of pedagogy (teaching practice). It is important to ensure that the teaching practice is suited to the authorised curriculum’s approach and content and to the range of preferred learning styles among the children in the class.

For a checklist to assist in choosing a curriculum for a joint-denominational program (see Chapter 3 of the SRE handbook )

 

Examples of curricula used in a Joint Denominational setting are:

Primary

• GodSpace, produced by Burst Christian Resources affiliated with Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT
• Connect, produced by CEP in the Sydney Anglican diocese

 

High School

• Christian SRE High School for Combined Arrangements – produced by the Presbyterian church.
• Jesus the Game Changer (schools edition) produced by Olive Media, written by Karl Faase.
• PeaceWiseYouth – Courses 5 and 6 (for Yrs 7-8 and Yrs 9-10) authorised by Baptist Association of NSW/ACT.
• Think Faith – produced by Christian Education Publications, a division of Anglican Youthworks.

You must check with your provider about which curricula you are allowed to use. Their website should contain a list of approved curricula.