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.
At Blacktown West Public School, SRE is delivered on a Thursday over different times for different years: 10:30 to 11:00 for K-2 students and from 9:10 to 9:40 for Stage 3 and 9:50 to 10:20 for Stage 2 students.
On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE should be given to the front office, in writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at Blacktown West Public School:
Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE is provided by Catholic Diocese of Parramatta.
More information about Diocese of Parramatta, including the authorised curriculum – Christ Our Light and Life is available on the website:
Catholic SRE curriculum link:
Catholic SRE teachers (also known as Catechists) are authorised by the local parish and trained by the Diocese of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic SRE curriculum is approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in liaison with religious education experts. Lessons include activities that are fun and inclusive for students, whilst also providing them 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 our Christian life and culture
Combined Christian Scripture is provided by Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Baptist Union of NSW and Uniting Church of Australia. The curriculum provider is Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The name of the curriculum is “Connect” which can be found at the website:
Christian SRE is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and churches. The approved providers in this combined arrangement are outlined above. All Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by an approved provider.
The curriculum is based on Good News about Jesus Christ and learning the key elements of our Christian life and culture. Christian SRE engages students in conversations as they question life, explore values and discover faith.
Christian SRE curriculum link:
Muslim SRE is provided by the Islamic Council of NSW. The name of the authorised curriculum is “Back to Basics”. More information can be found on the curriculum website:
Muslim SRE curriculum link:
Greek Orthodox is provided by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The authorised curriculum is “Christ in our Midst.”
Greek Orthodox SRE curriculum link:
During the time that SRE classes are being held, students not attending are located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities including reading, research, completing classroom work and / or homework.