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.
Primary School
At Wadalba Community School, our Primary School currently has the following options for SRE:
- Christian (delivered by providers from The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Condell Park Bible Church, The Lakes Evangelical Church, Australian Christian Churches)
- Catholic (delivered by providers from Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay)
The curriculum for these weekly 30 minute lessons can be found at:
Christian For Years K - 5: https://godspace.org.au/curriculum/
Christian For Year 6: https://cepconnect.com.au/curriculum
Catholic: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/our-faith/ccd/curriculum
Students not attending SRE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
A parent/carer may at any time notify the school in writing that they wish to change their decision. Students will continue the same arrangement as the previous year, unless a parent/carer has requested a change in writing.
For more information about Special Religious Education (SRE) including the list of approved providers, please visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-across-the-curriculum/religion-and-ethics
If your preferred SRE is not available please contact the approved provider.
For further information see the SRE Information Document.
Secondary School
At Wadalba Community School, our Secondary School (High School) currently has the following options for Special Religious Education.
Scripture Union NSW has been involved in schools since 1935, and is a coordinator of Christian Voluntary Lunchtime groups in NSW public schools. These groups, known as ISCF groups in secondary schools exist to give Christian students the opportunity to grow in their understanding of Christianity, and to allow other students who may be interested in knowing more about Christianity the chance to explore their questions in an informal setting.
Any high school student can attend an ISCF lunchtime group with parental permission. Participation in the group is entirely voluntary which means that students are free to attend or not to attend if they wish. At Wadalba Commuity School our Scripture Leader is Warren Ekermans.
Warren offers our students the following programs with parent / carer permission on Friday’s:
1. Morning Check in with Breakfast:
Students can come to the Welbeing Room before school to make some toast and check in with Warren for an informal chat.
2. Special Religous Education Program Period 4 Friday:
In this program, Christian teachings from the Bible are presented in a clear and age appropriate manner and students are provided with a safe forum for reflection, questions and discussion regarding this Christian worldview.
3. Chips and Chats:
Students can drop in at lunch time to check in with Warren for an informal chat.
In order to attend any of these programs, students must return the permission form sent via email. Students may also access a hardcopy of the permission form. Please ensure you tick the boxes of the program/s you would like your child to participate in. Please see the office for a form.