About religion and ethics
The Education Act 1990 states 'in every government school, time is to be allowed for the religious education of children of any religious persuasion'. Special education in ethics (SEE) is offered as a secular alternative to special religious education.
Special religious education (SRE) is education in the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion. Special education in ethics (SEE) is a program in ethical decision making, action and reflection within a secular framework. At Wallsend South Primary School we currently offer SRE as well as the SEE course provided by Primary Ethics in a number of grades.
The SRE and SEE programs are taught by volunteers from organisations approved by the Department of Education. They are often parents, grandparents, carers or lay volunteers from a local congregation. The volunteers undergo a police background check, a working with children check and have been trained by the SRE or SEE organisations. Our classes are held on Friday. Children not attended either SRE or SEE are provided with meaningful activities.
If you would like to change the course your child is currently enrolled in please send a written request to the office.
SEE & SRE (pdf 82 KB)
Special Religious Education - Christianity
SRE provides a safe learning space for students to explore matters of belief in a way that supports the school and community values. Using contemporary methods of teaching and an authorised curriculum (GodSpace, https://www.godspace.org.au/home.html ), students are encouraged to ask questions and to discover the Christian faith for themselves. Students explore age-appropriate Bible stories, especially the story of Jesus' life and the importance of good choices for their life and relationships.
The volunteers are trained to use a variety of teaching methods that allow students to respond to lessons via activities like writing, small groups, class discussions, songs, drama and life stories. The focus is on the essentials of Christian faiths.
Teachers welcome questions, encourage students to ponder over what they are taught and discover for themselves the relevance of biblical teaching to everyday life.
Special Education in Ethics
Helping children develop skills for life.
Ethics classes support children to develop a life-long capacity for making well-reasoned decisions about ethical issues. Through the give-and-take of reasoned argument students learn to disagree respectfully, to challenge ideas and to support their arguments with considered evidence rather than according to habit or peer pressure. Our volunteer ethics teachers use detailed lesson materials which present a range of stories, scenarios and questions to generate discussion. Ethics teachers are trained to impartially facilitate student discussions, helping students develop their critical thinking and collaborative inquiry skills. Ethics teachers support student learning by:
- modelling the inquiry process – by asking questions and encouraging discussion.
- showing genuine curiosity and interest in the questions being discussed.
- staying neutral – ethics teachers are trained to keep their own views out of the discussion.
- creating a positive learning environment – by allowing students time to think, encouraging students to share ideas, give reasons and ensuring.
The Special Education in Ethics program is provided by Primary Ethics. You can find out more information about the program from the schools ethics coordinator and the Primary Ethics Website.
Permission Note for SRE and SEE 2023 WSPS
https://online.schoolbytes.education/published_forms/417/df3b3c6c-6d4e-4861-a9bd-9b605c2967f9