At Thirlmere Public School, Special Religious Education (SRE or scripture) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE or ethics) is delivered on Wednesdays at the following times:
9:00 – 9:30 am Years 3 - 6
10:00 - 10.30 am Years K - 2
Parents/carers can select the SRE and SEE participation during online enrolment. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE/SEE should be given to the school office in writing.
The following SRE and SEE classes are offered at Thirlmere Public School:
- Combined Christian SRE is education in Christian beliefs and practices for children of families from various Christian denominations and churches.
Combined Christian SRE teachers at this school are authorised and trained by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney (https://youthworks.net/about-sre) in partnership with other local Christian churches.
The SRE curriculum used in this school is produced by Christian Education Publications and is approved by each SRE provider. The curriculum explores the good news about Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the depth of God’s love for people. Each lesson has been developed to be taught in an age-appropriate manner. Lessons include activities which make the lessons fun and inclusive for children and young people and give them the opportunity to critically explore and deepen their faith, pray, and reflect.
Research has shown that SRE contributes to students’ holistic education as it nurtures their spiritual wellbeing. For more information about the SRE curriculum used in this school visit: whysre.com.au.
- Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. For more information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit: https://ccd.sydneycatholic.org/publications/curriculum-resources/.
Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the local parish and trained by the Diocese of the Catholic Church.
Lessons include activities that are fun and inclusive for students, whilst also providing them with 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 the Christian life and culture.
- Ethics (SEE) classes support children to develop a life-long capacity for making well-reasoned decisions about ethical issues. Through balanced argument students learn to disagree respectfully, to challenge ideas and to support their arguments with considered evidence. Our volunteer ethics teachers use lesson materials which present a range of stories, scenarios and questions to generate discussion. SEE teachers are trained to impartially facilitate student discussions, helping students develop their critical thinking and collaborative inquiry skills.
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. For more information about these classes, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Primary Ethics website: https://primaryethics.com.au/about-ethics-classes/our-curriculum/.
- Students not enrolled in SRE or SEE classes will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities such as reading, drawing or private study.