Organisations: Special Religious Education

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA
SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Participation in Special Religious Education (SRE)

Special Religious Education is a voluntary program in State Schools in New South Wales. There are also similar programs in some other States. The details on this page are provided at the request of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities.

Special Religious Education (or Scripture as it is better known) complements the general education of Greek Orthodox children. Scripture classes focus on an Orthodox way of life and identity.

The lessons include much more than Bible knowledge. These are not classes on ethics. They help develop the religious sense of each child. For instance, they are shown how to pray, how to make the sign of the Cross and the importance of the Sacraments in our life. Children are taught the hymns of the Church. They are acquainted with the Liturgy and Feasts of the Orthodox Church.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia encourages all its members to be involved in Special Religious Education to enrich local school communities. Participation is free and entirely voluntary and only at the discretion of the parents or guardians.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia is a Department of Education & Communities approved provider for 2012 and is also a member of The Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools (NSW).

Modes of delivery

Members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia are involved in delivery of SRE in partnership with other Churches committed to the same involvement.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia authorises approved, trained volunteers with a variety of life experiences to deliver an approved curriculum.

Recommended curricula

Across the state, geographic and demographic issues impact on the choice of a curriculum. The decision on which curriculum to use is left up to the local clergy. Amongst others, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia recommends the curricula of the Pantanassa Monastery http://www.pantanassamonastery.org/resources.html

Other sites of assistance in understanding curriculum issues are ICCOREIS the Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools (NSW) Inc.

Parents and caregivers are very welcome to view the curriculum that their child is taught by consulting the school’s SRE Co-ordinator or their local church leader.

For more information contact (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia http://www.greekorthodox.org.au/general/ or your local parish).

ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT OF N.S.W. & A.C.T.

242 Cleveland St., Redfern, N.S.W. 2016

Tel.: (02) 9690 6100, Fax: (02) 9698 5368